Dr. John Spencer
Former middle school teacher and university professor. Advocate for project-based learning and author of books on inquiry-based and student-driven learning.
Best podcasts with Dr. John Spencer
Ranked by the Snipd community
24 snips
Oct 13, 2024 • 45min
EP312 5 brain-based ways to help kids who shut down in class (with Dr. John Spencer)
In this engaging conversation, Dr. John Spencer, a former middle school teacher turned college professor, shares his passion for fostering creativity in education. He offers five brain-based strategies to help students who shut down in class. Topics include cultivating self-empowerment and introducing creative constraints to ease overwhelm. John also discusses the gradual release model, emphasizing the importance of understanding root causes of disengagement, and highlights the value of impromptu workshops to reinvigorate struggling learners.
9 snips
Sep 14, 2025 • 1h
259: Making Project-Based Learning Accessible for Everyone
John Spencer, a former middle school teacher and advocate for project-based learning, breaks down how to make PBL accessible for all students. He shares five impactful structural changes that schools can implement without overhauling existing systems. The discussion emphasizes the importance of accommodating diverse learner needs, including neurodivergent and multilingual students. With strategies such as using visual aids and structured roles in group work, Spencer highlights pathways to foster collaboration and critical thinking in inclusive classroom environments.
