Using Distance Learning to Increase Access and Opportunity (with Seth Fleischauer)

Most people agree that the “online learning” that happened during COVID was a challenge for many students; especially those with disabilities.

However, what happened during the pandemic wasn’t a true version of what “distance learning” or “telehealth” should be. 

There’s a difference between leveraging technology to enhance in-person experiences vs. using it as a temporary solution in an emergency situation.

There’s also a difference between using technology to provide opportunities that wouldn’t be possible in-person vs. having an unhealthy relationship with social media.

That’s why I invited Seth Fleischauer to De Facto Leaders to discuss distance learning best practices, social media, and how to use technology responsibly in education.

Seth Fleischauer is the President of Banyan Global Learning, which he founded in 2008 after teaching elementary school with NYC Teaching Fellows. Banyan pioneered daily international EFL distance learning and has since expanded to train teachers and educate K-12 students across three continents. His programs focus on teaching digital and cultural competencies through a global lens and have delivered over 40,000 live teaching sessions. Seth has also hosted nearly 100 podcast episodes, including Make It Mindful and Why Distance Learning?

In this conversation, we discuss:

✅Why “COVID online learning” wasn’t an accurate representation of true distance learning. 

✅Opportunities, access, and equity: Using distance learning experiences when IRL isn’t possible.

✅How do we know when kids are ready for social media?

✅Defining the “digital footprint” and how to talk to kids about safe online practices.

You can learn more about Seth’s company, Banyan Global Learning at: https://banyangloballearning.com/

Listen to the Make it Mindful Podcast at: https://feeds.transistor.fm/make-it-mindful-an-education-podcast

Listen to the Why Distance Learning Podcast at: https://whydistancelearning.transistor.fm/

Learn more about the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration here: https://www.cilc.org/

In this episode, I mention the School of Clinical Leadership, my program that helps related service providers develop a strategic plan for putting executive functioning support in place in collaboration with their school teams. You can learn more about that program here: https://drkarendudekbrannan.com/clinicalleadership

We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.