247 - The Power of Place with Tom Vander Ark, Dr. Emily Liebtag, and Nate McClennen

This week on the podcast, join Tom Vander Ark, Dr. Emily Liebtag, and Nate McClennen as they discuss their newly published book, The Power of Place: Authentic Learning Through Place-Based Education! They speak about the main themes they cover, the experiences and examples they share throughout it, and the defining principles of place-based education.

 

As a refresher, Emily Liebtag is the recently appointed CEO of Boundless, an organization dedicated to highlighting innovations in education. And Nate McClennen is the Vice President of Education and Innovation at Teton Science Schools where he focuses his time on how to scale the impact of place-based education through technology, innovation, design learning, rural education, and school networks. (And you already know Tom Vander Ark, the CEO of Getting Smart, if you listen to this podcast!)

Join today’s conversation as the three of them speak about writing, place-based education, and their new book, The Power of Place.

 

Key Takeaways:

[:13] About today’s episode.

[1:03] Tom welcomes Emily and Nate on to the podcast.

[1:42] Emily shares one of her favorite place-based education moments from the last several weeks.

[4:04] Nate also shares a recent favorite place-based education moment that comes to mind for him.

[6:06] Tom shares his enthusiasm about Crosstown High centered in Crosstown Concourse in Memphis, Texas.

[7:38] When did Emily learn about Crosstown High and the benefits it brings to students.

[11:06] Emily shares the origin story of The Power of Place as well as her favorite part about working on it.

[12:40] Nate speaks about his career at Teton Science Schools and how he became involved in writing The Power of Place with Emily and Tom.

[13:42] Tom speaks about his experience joining the Teton Science Schools’ Advisory Board.

[14:18] Nate shares his definition of place-based education.

[16:15] Nate speaks about the power of place.

[17:25] Emily shares why place-based education is becoming increasingly important in the global conversation.

[18:51] Tom speaks about how the shift to digital and the strong focus on standards have made learning more sterile.

[20:58] Nate highlights how the themes of agency, equity, and community, connect The Power of Place together.

[22:24] Emily continues the conversation around the themes that connect the book and how all learners experience place in a different, unique way.

[23:25] Tom shares a recent experience of his at Latitude High and the different ‘place’ can make.

[24:18] Nate shares a conversation between him and Tom about the importance of how connecting to place brings everyone together.

[25:22] Nate explains what local-to-global means.

[27:18] Tom and Nate explain what inquiry-based relates to.

[29:08] Emily speaks about why design thinking is critically important when it comes to place.

[31:35] What place-based education requires.

[32:54] Nate highlights important aspects of place-based education and community as a classroom.

[34:34] Tom speaks about Crosstown High’s 901 Project which is a great example of using community as a classroom.

[35:48] Emily gives her thoughts on interdisciplinary learning.

[38:42] Nate speaks about what readers will get out of their new book, The Power of Place.

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