
Online Technologies to Enhance Student Learning: Possibilities & Perils, with Dan Krutka (University of North Texas)
10/07/21 • 40 min
How can technology enhance students' engagement in classroom learning? When are technologies helpful, and when are they harmful?
In this episode, I talk to Dr. Dan Krutka, associate professor of social studies education at the University of North Texas. Dan's research sits at the intersection of technology, education, and democracy.
We discuss how teachers can decide which technologies would strengthen their teaching or whether technologies would even be helpful at all. We also discuss many specific online tools and how they can be useful for enhancing student engagement and learning.
In our conversation, Dan touches on a variety of other issues, as well, such as how to teach effectively in online learning environments when students are home during COVID lockdowns.
This month marks the first anniversary of Education for Sustainable Democracy. Thank you for your support over the past year!
Links Related to this Episode:
Dan Krutka's Homepage
PICRAT Model for Tech Integration in Teacher Ed (CITE Journal)
Glenn Wiebe's Blog - Technology in Social Studies Ed
Teacher Resources:
Padlet Site (digital creation tool)
DocsTeach Site (primary sources & activities)
Chronicling America (historical newspapers)
Smithsonian Learning Labs (documents, recordings, images, & more)
The Redistricting Game (simulation about gerrymandering)
ESD Podcast Resources:
Education for Sustainable Democracy Site
Brett's Open Access Research Articles
Education for Sustainable Democracy Facebook Page (Please Like!)
How can technology enhance students' engagement in classroom learning? When are technologies helpful, and when are they harmful?
In this episode, I talk to Dr. Dan Krutka, associate professor of social studies education at the University of North Texas. Dan's research sits at the intersection of technology, education, and democracy.
We discuss how teachers can decide which technologies would strengthen their teaching or whether technologies would even be helpful at all. We also discuss many specific online tools and how they can be useful for enhancing student engagement and learning.
In our conversation, Dan touches on a variety of other issues, as well, such as how to teach effectively in online learning environments when students are home during COVID lockdowns.
This month marks the first anniversary of Education for Sustainable Democracy. Thank you for your support over the past year!
Links Related to this Episode:
Dan Krutka's Homepage
PICRAT Model for Tech Integration in Teacher Ed (CITE Journal)
Glenn Wiebe's Blog - Technology in Social Studies Ed
Teacher Resources:
Padlet Site (digital creation tool)
DocsTeach Site (primary sources & activities)
Chronicling America (historical newspapers)
Smithsonian Learning Labs (documents, recordings, images, & more)
The Redistricting Game (simulation about gerrymandering)
ESD Podcast Resources:
Education for Sustainable Democracy Site
Brett's Open Access Research Articles
Education for Sustainable Democracy Facebook Page (Please Like!)
Previous Episode

First Anniverary & Looking Ahead
This podcast turns one year old this October! Happy anniversary, and thanks for your support! New episodes are in the works, so please stay tuned. As you know, I try to release a new show towards the beginning of each month, and there are some good ones coming up, including shows on technology for the social studies classroom, civically engaged districts, and proposed federal legislation to support civic learning.
As we celebrate this first anniversary milestone, I'm hoping to continue expanding the show's reach. Could you please help me spread the word about the show? (We have no publicity wing, so you're it! Consider this a form of civic engagement. :)
Below are four ways you can help. If you could do one or two of them, I'd greatly appreciate it!
1. Rate the show in your podcast app. (Five stars would be great!) More good ratings will help push the show out to new potential listeners!
2. "Like" the show's Facebook Page by clicking here.
3. Share your favorite episode (or the show as a whole) with a friend, colleague, or family member. You can do this by finding the share button in your podcast app (usually an arrow) or by sending a link directly to recipients. Here you can find links to individual episodes and a link to the show's website that you can cut-and-paste into an email or text message.
4. Make a small donation to the show on Patreon. This will help me pay for web hosting, mastering, and technology for the show. Also, with enough support, I can hire a sound editor. If someone helps me with editing, I can produce more shows for you all! (I plan to upload exclusive content for all Patreon supporters soon!)
Thank you so much!
You can email me anytime at [email protected].
Have a great day!
Next Episode

A Congressional Bill to Strengthen Civic Education, with Cat McDonald (DC Lobbyist for Civic Ed)
Will the federal government support a comprehensive civic education bill? The Civics Secures Democracy Act is a Congressional proposal to support civic education with about one billion dollars annually over five years. Currently the bill has sponsors from both major parties, but it is not without detractors.
In this episode, Cat McDonald, the lead lobbyist for the bill, tells us about the bill's content, how likely it is to pass, and the challenges that lie ahead for this proposed legislation. We also discuss the history of the federal government’s support for civic education – and how this plan is different from what's come before.
You can see a video of this episode at this link.
Resources on the Civics Secures Democracy Act:
CivXNow Coalition Website
Civics Secures Democracy Act Text (32 pages)
Ask Questions or Get Involved in CSD (Contact Form)
About Catriona McDonald
ESD Podcast Resources:
Education for Sustainable Democracy Site
Brett's Open Access Research Articles
ESD YouTube Channel (Please Subscribe!)
Education for Sustainable Democracy Facebook Page (Please Like!)
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