March 1 2023
April 1, 2023: A Note from USDLA executive director Pat Cassella and Edu Alliance Group exec Dean Hoke — We invite you to tune in for episode 7 of our podcast and video show, Higher Ed Without Borders, where for 30 minutes, we gain insights from industry experts.
Meet our guest: Jennifer Williams, Executive Director, Take Action Global and Transformational Leader in Education
Today’s Topic: Get Ready for Change – Instructional Design Practices Through Meaningful Uses of Technology
About this episode: At the heart of innovation and social good are purpose, empathy, and a strong desire to make a positive difference in people’s lives.” Join Distance and Digital Learning Specialist, global educator, and author Dr. Jennifer Williams for this interactive keynote session for distance learning organizations ready to activate positive change through engaging instructional design practices and meaningful uses of technology. Dr. Williams will share examples from her work in distance learning with schools and organizations worldwide from 149 countries and partnerships with the United Nations, the U.S. Department of State, the NYC Department of Education, LEGO, and Microsoft. Digital learning programs and tools will be modeled during the session for use in future-focused learning environments. Participants will leave with ready-to-go action plans to teach boldly and questions to consider in preparing for multiple futures and new shifts in teaching and learning.
Dean and Pat ask Jennifer:
- Pat: Jennifer, you have been an educator and instructional designer for most of your career with a wide variety of experiences worldwide. Share with our listeners some of the most memorable projects and the groups that were part of these.
- Dean: Your book Teach Boldly: Using Edtech for Social Good has received high marks from educators. A reviewer on Amazon said, “This book is an excellent resource for educators looking to incorporate lessons for empathy into their classroom learning experiences that help students see their impact on the world. Tell our listeners and viewers about the book and what you tried to accomplish.
- Pat: Jennifer, you will be presenting at our National Conference in Orlando this July. Can you give our audience a little teaser on your presentation and what they will learn if they join us?
- Dean: You train future classroom teachers as a University Professor. What are the biggest challenges for K-12 teachers to use Educational Technology effectively?
- Pat: Jennifer, we would like your thoughts about the future of distance learning in the K-12 world both from an educational technology perspective and, more importantly, as a teaching tool.
- Dean: Jennifer, let me read what some of your colleagues have said about you: “Jen’s work is inspired by passion, and she is driven to share the message of engaged global learning for all students.” “What really impresses me about Jen is just how amazing she is when presenting to large groups of people to motivate them to do social good.” Jennifer, what makes you so passionate about education?
About our Guest: Recognized as a transformational leader in education, Dr. Jennifer Williams has dedicated herself for nearly 25 years to the field of education through her roles as an education activist, professor, school administrator, literacy specialist, and classroom teacher. She speaks, writes, and consults on practices that develop global perspectives and social good through creative uses of technology. Her research interests include innovations in teaching and learning, equity and diversity in education, and social action. Jennifer is inspired daily by teachers and students who are catalysts for improving the world! Learn more at jenwilliamsedu.com.
About Jennifer’s book, Teach Boldly: Using Edtech for Social Good: Transformational education leader Jennifer Williams offers design- and empathy-driven practices to help teachers activate positive change in student learning. “Today’s students are ready to design, dream and MAKE the future,” says Jennifer. “Teach Boldly: Using Edtech for Social Good ” guides educators ready to apply innovative practices, meaningful technology use, and global collaboration to drive the change they want to see in the world. Readers will learn how to create a customized plan for education innovation, with strategies for constructing agile classroom environments, digital storytelling and communicating across lines of difference, and prioritizing feedback and active listening.” This book:
- Showcases the power of narrative and highlights the need for storytelling in education.
- Offers direction for seeking out authentic feedback and steps for iterating on ideas, emphasizing preservation of voice and creative expression.
- Discusses learning space design through the lens of empathy and amplification of students’ voices.
- Provides easy-to-implement ideas for transforming learning and classroom culture through space.
With inspiration from real-world peaceMAKERS in education, Teach Boldly invites readers to create ready-to-go action plans for themselves as educators, for classroom communities, and for the global community. Audience: K-12 educators
Explore more about the Distance Learning Roundtable:
Meet the Hosts
About Dean: As the Managing Partner of 
