
Modern Classrooms Project Podcast
Your hosts discuss the model and its implications for the future of education, along with guests including MCP implementors such as mentors, teachers, and administrators.
Latest episodes

May 22, 2022 • 39min
Episode 90: Q&A for May, 2022
Toni Rose and Zach tackle some more listener questions on our last Q&A episode of the Spring 2022 season! Topics include explaining MCP to stakeholders, classifying lessons, displaying data in a very large class, and dealing with internet outages.
Show Notes
Send us an audio note (From Zach: I pulled this up into the main show notes this week since we talked about it, but you can always find this link down below in the "Contact Us" section)
ClassroomQ
Soundtrap
Wordle
Nerdle (like Wordle, but for math!)
Globle (like Wordle, but for geography!)
Concord Schools
Presenting MCP
Contact us, follow us online, and learn more:
Email us questions and feedback at: podcast@modernclassrooms.org
Send us an audio note and we'll include it on a future episode!
Modern Classrooms: @modernclassproj on Twitter and facebook.com/modernclassproj (remember you can tweet us questions by using the hashtag #askMCP)
Kareem: @kareemfarah23 on Twitter
Toni Rose: @classroomflex on Twitter and Instagram
The Modern Classroom Project
Modern Classrooms Online Course
Take our free online course, or sign up for our mentorship program to receive personalized guidance from a Modern Classrooms mentor as you implement your own modern classroom!
The Modern Classrooms Podcast is edited by Zach Diamond: @zpdiamond on Twitter and Learning to Teach

May 15, 2022 • 52min
Episode 89: Impacts of Self Pacing
Toni Rose is joined by Rebecca Mason and Paul O'Donoghue to talk about how self pacing has impacted their approaches to teaching as well as their students approaches to learning, and their learning outcomes.
Outline and Show Notes
Meet Rebecca and Paul
The Edutopia Video (plus MCP's new video with Edutopia featuring elementary students)
Paul's Twitter: @paulodonoghue_
What does self pacing look like in Rebecca and Paul's classes?
MCP Podcast Episode 87 - Troubleshooting Self Pacing (with Charlie Moynahan, who mentions the "human" aspect and the "procedural" aspect of self pacing)
Revisions Paul and Rebecca made to self pacing in their classes
How self pacing has affected Rebecca's unique student population
How self pacing has affected Paul's approach to teaching and learning
Feedback from students on how self pacing has impacted their learning
Data showing the impact of self pacing
One piece of advice from Rebecca and Paul
Rebecca and Paul's goals for the end of the year and beyond
Connect with Rebecca and Paul
Paul's Venmo for his student snack cabinet: paulod33
Contact us, follow us online, and learn more:
Email us questions and feedback at: podcast@modernclassrooms.org
Send us an audio note and we'll include it on a future episode!
Modern Classrooms: @modernclassproj on Twitter and facebook.com/modernclassproj (remember you can tweet us questions by using the hashtag #askMCP)
Kareem: @kareemfarah23 on Twitter
Toni Rose: @classroomflex on Twitter and Instagram
The Modern Classroom Project
Modern Classrooms Online Course
Take our free online course, or sign up for our mentorship program to receive personalized guidance from a Modern Classrooms mentor as you implement your own modern classroom!
The Modern Classrooms Podcast is edited by Zach Diamond: @zpdiamond on Twitter and Learning to Teach

May 8, 2022 • 45min
Episode 88: Cognitive Science and MCP
Toni Rose is joined by Alison Stone, who shares tons of fascinating information on cognitive science, how it relates to classroom teaching, and how it fits in with the Modern Classrooms approach.
Outline and Show Notes
Get to know Alison
Cult of Pedagogy episodes on MCP with Kareem
Everything You Need to Know About Building a Great Screencast Video
How to Create a Self-Paced Classroom
Setting up Mastery-Based Grading in your classroom
Alison's intro to cognitive science:
What is Cognitive Load Theory? | by David Weller | Medium
A decade of education theory; the rise and rise of cognitive science of learning | St. Emlyn's
Graphic: Information Processing Model:
Graphic: Cognitive Load Theory:
Graphic: Water Glass Visual for CLT
How does MCP align with cognitive science?
An advance organizer for student learning: Choke points and pitfalls in studying
Alison's key takeaways for teachers
Alison's goals for wrapping up the school year
Connect with Alison:
Email Alison at alison.stone@modernclassrooms.org
Follow Alison on Twitter @alisonstonecbsd
More resources from Alison:
Learning Scientists Podcast
6 Powerful Learning Strategies You Must Share with Your Students
Brain Book Buddy
Challenge Grids
Powerful Teaching
Understanding How We Learn: A Visual Guide
[Dylan Wiliam - Cognitive Load Theory](www.dylanwiliam.org) (and on Twitter @dylanwiliam)
Cognitive Load Theory in Action - the Book | Ollie Lovell
Ollie Lovell: Cognitive Load Theory in Action - Mr Barton Maths Blog
Oliver Lovell: Planning, running a maths department and Cognitive Load Theory - Mr Barton Maths Blog
Cognitive Load Theory and What it Means for Classroom Teachers
Contact us, follow us online, and learn more:
Email us questions and feedback at: podcast@modernclassrooms.org
Send us an audio note and we'll include it on a future episode!
Modern Classrooms: @modernclassproj on Twitter and facebook.com/modernclassproj (remember you can tweet us questions by using the hashtag #askMCP)
Kareem: @kareemfarah23 on Twitter
Toni Rose: @classroomflex on Twitter and Instagram
The Modern Classroom Project
Modern Classrooms Online Course
Take our free online course, or sign up for our mentorship program to receive personalized guidance from a Modern Classrooms mentor as you implement your own modern classroom!
The Modern Classrooms Podcast is edited by Zach Diamond: @zpdiamond on Twitter and Learning to Teach

May 1, 2022 • 1h
Episode 87: Troubleshooting Self Pacing
Zach is joined by Charlie Moynahan, who shares the story of how he rapidly rolled out a modern classroom and then went about troubleshooting it, and both of them share some ideas on how implementers may troubleshoot common issues that arise in self-paced classrooms.
Outline and Show Notes
Introducing Charlie
How to Create a Self-Paced Classroom - Cult of Pedagogy
Modern Classrooms Exemplars
Issues Charlie Wanted to Troubleshoot
Data showing modern classrooms teachers are less stressed
How Charlie Went About Troubleshooting
Charlie’s original roadmap (the one that required troubleshooting!)
Charlie’s simplified roadmap
Editable roadmap template
Troubleshooting with Modern Classrooms Mentees
Common Self Pacing Concerns That Often Require Troubleshooting
"All my students are behind"
"Some of my students never do any work"
"I am overwhelmed by the amount of work I need to grade"
Connect with Charlie
Email at [charlie.moynahan@modernclassrooms.org](mailtocharlie.moynahan@modernclassrooms.org)
Charlie's website: moynathoughts.com
Contact us, follow us online, and learn more:
Email us questions and feedback at: podcast@modernclassrooms.org
Send us an audio note and we'll include it on a future episode!
Modern Classrooms: @modernclassproj on Twitter and facebook.com/modernclassproj (remember you can tweet us questions by using the hashtag #askMCP)
Kareem: @kareemfarah23 on Twitter
Toni Rose: @classroomflex on Twitter and Instagram
The Modern Classroom Project
Modern Classrooms Online Course
Take our free online course, or sign up for our mentorship program to receive personalized guidance from a Modern Classrooms mentor as you implement your own modern classroom!
The Modern Classrooms Podcast is edited by Zach Diamond: @zpdiamond on Twitter and Learning to Teach

Apr 24, 2022 • 42min
Episode 86: Q&A and Feedback for April, 2022
Toni Rose and Zach tackle listener questions! Topics include motivation, guided notes, collaboration, tech tools, teaching novels, and standardized tests in the context of MCP.
Feedback:
Class Dojo
Megan’s tracker image
Q&A:
What do you do when the type of teaching you want to be doing doesn't match with the students you are working with? How do you motivate them?
Q&A Episode with Sam (who shares some great motivation tips!)
What do your guided notes look like?
Guide on Guided Notes
Retrieval Notes
Bloom's Taxonomy
Toni Rose's Figurative Language Cheat Sheet
What are some of your favorite tech tools?
Explain Everything
Edpuzzle
Padlet
Flipgrid
Parlay Ideas
How can I teach novels while self-pacing?
How can MCP work with standardized tests?
How can I add more collaboration in my class?
Jamboard
Contact us, follow us online, and learn more:
Email us questions and feedback at: podcast@modernclassrooms.org
Send us an audio note and we'll include it on a future episode!
Modern Classrooms: @modernclassproj on Twitter and facebook.com/modernclassproj (remember you can tweet us questions by using the hashtag #askMCP)
Kareem: @kareemfarah23 on Twitter
Toni Rose: @classroomflex on Twitter and Instagram
The Modern Classroom Project
Modern Classrooms Online Course
Take our free online course, or sign up for our mentorship program to receive personalized guidance from a Modern Classrooms mentor as you implement your own modern classroom!
The Modern Classrooms Podcast is edited by Zach Diamond: @zpdiamond on Twitter and Learning to Teach

Apr 17, 2022 • 46min
Episode 85: Self Pacing in Non-Traditional Settings
Toni Rose is joined by Brandy Netherton and Pierce Woodward talk about how they use the model to facilitate the work they do in their (very different) non-traditional school settings.
Outline and Show Notes
Meet Brandy and Pierce
The Edutopia video (plus MCP's new, elementary-focused Edutopia video)
Brandy and Pierce's non-traditional teaching contexts
Massachusetts Innovation Schools
Google Voice
Self pacing in non-traditional settings
Brandy's post-lesson surveys:
Student view
Make a copy
Celebrations and challenges of self pacing
How students are responding to self pacing
Brandy's automated solutions for keeping track of her 200+ students
Sending out bulk text messages from a Google Voice number
Screenshots of Brandy's automated trackers
Pierce's strategies for motivating his students
One tip for teachers in non-traditional settings
Get in touch with Brandy and Pierce
Google Brandy, or find her at her blog, on Twitter @bravinlife, and on Facebook
Find Pierce's information on his school's website
Read the takeaways from today's podcast on the blog
Contact us, follow us online, and learn more:
Email us questions and feedback at: podcast@modernclassrooms.org
Send us an audio note and we'll include it on a future episode!
Modern Classrooms: @modernclassproj on Twitter and facebook.com/modernclassproj (remember you can tweet us questions by using the hashtag #askMCP)
Kareem: @kareemfarah23 on Twitter
Toni Rose: @classroomflex on Twitter and Instagram
The Modern Classroom Project
Modern Classrooms Online Course
Take our free online course, or sign up for our mentorship program to receive personalized guidance from a Modern Classrooms mentor as you implement your own modern classroom!
The Modern Classrooms Podcast is edited by Zach Diamond: @zpdiamond on Twitter and Learning to Teach

Apr 10, 2022 • 40min
Episode 84: Teacher Spotlight - Visual Arts with Aimee Plueger
Zach is joined by Aimee Plueger to chat about how she uses MCP in her visual art classroom and how she provides her students with creative freedom using the model.
Outline and Show Notes
Meet Aimee
Rolling out the model mid year
A typical day in Aimee’s Modern Classroom
Accommodating student choice and creative freedom in Arts classes
Choice based learning in the art room
Planning projects and classifying lessons
Managing materials in a visual art class
Connect with Aimee
Follow Aimee on Instagram @serendipitousjoyart
Email Aimee at serendipitousjoyart@gmail.com
Contact us, follow us online, and learn more:
Email us questions and feedback at: podcast@modernclassrooms.org
Send us an audio note and we'll include it on a future episode!
Modern Classrooms: @modernclassproj on Twitter and facebook.com/modernclassproj (remember you can tweet us questions by using the hashtag #askMCP)
Kareem: @kareemfarah23 on Twitter
Toni Rose: @classroomflex on Twitter and Instagram
The Modern Classroom Project
Modern Classrooms Online Course
Take our free online course, or sign up for our mentorship program to receive personalized guidance from a Modern Classrooms mentor as you implement your own modern classroom!
The Modern Classrooms Podcast is edited by Zach Diamond: @zpdiamond on Twitter and Learning to Teach

Apr 3, 2022 • 1h 7min
Episode 83: Misconceptions About Self Pacing
This week, Zach is joined by Andrea Mahr, Beth Benavides, and John Tyler to address six common misconceptions about self pacing and self-paced classes.
Outline and Show Notes
Get to know Andrea, Beth, and John
Andrea and Beth's previous MCP Podcast episode: Elementary Math
Kareem on the Cult of Pedagogy podcast
Everything you need to know about building a great screencast video
How to create a self-paced classroom
Setting up mastery-based grading in your classroom
Misconception: Self-paced classes have no deadlines
Misconception: Kids do whatever they want in self-paced classes
Misconception: Teachers don't teach in self-paced classes
Misconception: Self-paced classes never have any full-group collaborative activities
MCP Podcast episode on full-group collaborative activities: Planning for Collaboration in a Modern Classroom
Blooket
Gimkit
Misconception: Students lack the skills to self pace effectively
Misconception: Students can never collaborate since they're working on different things
Connect with Andrea, Beth, and John
Connect with John by email and on Facebook
Connect with Beth by email and on Facebook
Connect with Andrea by email and on Facebook
Contact us, follow us online, and learn more:
Email us questions and feedback at: podcast@modernclassrooms.org
Send us an audio note and we'll include it on a future episode!
Modern Classrooms: @modernclassproj on Twitter and facebook.com/modernclassproj (remember you can tweet us questions by using the hashtag #askMCP)
Kareem: @kareemfarah23 on Twitter
Toni Rose: @classroomflex on Twitter and Instagram
The Modern Classroom Project
Modern Classrooms Online Course
Take our free online course, or sign up for our mentorship program to receive personalized guidance from a Modern Classrooms mentor as you implement your own modern classroom!
The Modern Classrooms Podcast is edited by Zach Diamond: @zpdiamond on Twitter and Learning to Teach

Mar 27, 2022 • 42min
Episode 82: Feedback and Q&A for March, 2022
Toni Rose and Zach tackle feedback and questions! For this month, we have feedback on different teaching contexts and physical vs. digital trackers, and questions on structuring breaking up work time in class, instilling a sense of urgency, and structuring units.
Outline and Show Notes
Feedback
Zach's anonymized pacing tracker
Breaking up work time
Edpuzzle (and MCP tutorial)
Pomodoro technique (and a great online pomodoro timer!)
Keeping Modern Classrooms Fun
Kahoot
Quizziz
Quizlet
What to do while kids are watching videos and taking notes?
Dan Boudreaux on the MCP Podcast
Struggling with students who aren't working in class
How many lessons in a unit?
Contact us, follow us online, and learn more:
Email us questions and feedback at: podcast@modernclassrooms.org
Send us an audio note and we'll include it on a future episode!
Modern Classrooms: @modernclassproj on Twitter and facebook.com/modernclassproj (remember you can tweet us questions by using the hashtag #askMCP)
Kareem: @kareemfarah23 on Twitter
Toni Rose: @classroomflex on Twitter and Instagram
The Modern Classroom Project
Modern Classrooms Online Course
Take our free online course, or sign up for our mentorship program to receive personalized guidance from a Modern Classrooms mentor as you implement your own modern classroom!
The Modern Classrooms Podcast is edited by Zach Diamond: @zpdiamond on Twitter and Learning to Teach

Mar 20, 2022 • 42min
Episode 81: Self Pacing with Adult Learners
Zach is joined by Elizabeth Armstrong and Kathleen Shafer, both TOSAs who work with teachers, to talk about how MCP principles can be applied when working with adult learners.
Outline and Show Notes
Intro
Cult of Pedagogy articles and podcasts featuring Kareem:
How to Create a Self-Paced Classroom
Everything You Need To Know About Building a Great Screencast Video
CoP Podcast: Setting Up Mastery Based Grading in Your Classroom
The settings in which Elizabeth and Kathleen work with adult learners
UDL - Universal Design for Learning
Balancing supports and independence when working with adults
Five E’s
Using a Pacing Tracker with Adults
Employing deadlines when working with adults
Differentiating with adults - how do you support learners who fall behind?
Differentiating for adult learners who work quickly and pull ahead
How to give your next summative a makeover
Anything else to share?
Perusall
Canvas studio quizzes
Secondary MCP tracker sheets
Elementary BUILD slides
Connect with Elizabeth and Kathleen
Reach Elizabeth @elizanntechtosa on Twitter, and email her at elizabeth.armstrong@svusd.org
Reach Kathleen @shaferkshaferk on Twitter, and email her at kathleen.shafer@svusd.org
Contact us, follow us online, and learn more:
Email us questions and feedback at: podcast@modernclassrooms.org
Send us an audio note and we'll include it on a future episode!
Modern Classrooms: @modernclassproj on Twitter and facebook.com/modernclassproj (remember you can tweet us questions by using the hashtag #askMCP)
Kareem: @kareemfarah23 on Twitter
Toni Rose: @classroomflex on Twitter and Instagram
The Modern Classroom Project
Modern Classrooms Online Course
Take our free online course, or sign up for our mentorship program to receive personalized guidance from a Modern Classrooms mentor as you implement your own modern classroom!
The Modern Classrooms Podcast is edited by Zach Diamond: @zpdiamond on Twitter and Learning to Teach