In this episode of Digital Learning Today, hosts Jeffrey Bradbury and Diane Manser explore the concept of empathy in education, particularly through a project called Middle School 2.0. They discuss how this project allows students to step into the shoes of educators, fostering understanding and respect. The conversation covers various aspects of the project, including creative development, branding, course creation, budgeting, and empowering students to take ownership of their learning. The episode emphasizes the importance of empathy, creativity, and real-world skills in the classroom. If you are a new listener to TeacherCast, we would love to hear from you.  Please visit our Contact Page and let us know how we can help you today! In This Episode … Why is it important for students to learn about Empathy? How can we help students understand the challenges faced by school administrators? What are some effective ways to put students in an administrator's shoes? How does experiencing an administrator's perspective enhance empathy in students? What are the potential benefits of increased empathy between students and administrators? How can this empathy exercise improve the overall school environment? Helping Students Create a School of their Own School Building 2.0 Introduction What do you like about your school? What would you like to see changed? Graphic Design New District Colors (Brand Kit) (Google Slides) Create a New District Logo (Google Drawings) New Website Banner (Google Drawings) New School Website (Google Sites) New Mission & Vision Statement (Google Docs) New Curriculum What classes do you like? What classes would you like to see in the school? Budget (Google Sheets) What items are needed for new classes? / How much will they cost? Do those items and the new class fit into the budget? Designing a new school building (Google Sheets) Project Take aways Student Reactions Parent Reactions Administrator Reactions Conversation Takeaways Empathy helps students understand different perspectives. Engaging students in project-based learning fosters creativity. Students can learn valuable skills through real-world applications. Creating a school brand involves thoughtful decision-making. Course descriptions should be well-structured and informative. Budgeting teaches students about resource management. Students benefit from taking ownership of their education. Collaboration enhances the learning experience. Empowering students leads to greater engagement. Future projects can build on the success of current initiatives. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Empathy in Education 03:00 The Middle School 2.0 Project 06:05 Understanding Student Perspectives 09:09 Creative Project Development 12:09 Building a School Brand 14:56 Course Creation and Description Writing 17:59 Budgeting and Resource Allocation 20:59 Finalizing the Project 23:55 Empowering Students Through Ownership 27:03 Future Projects and Conclusion Follow Our Podcast And Subscribe View All Episodes a