Ep28: Steven Kolber, Teacher, Writer & Researcher

Today my guest is Steven Kolber, Teacher, Writer & Researcher from Melbourne, Australia. Steven is one of 50 finalists in the Global Teacher Prize, 2021. In this episode we explore Steven’s role as an English and Humanities teacher at a public, Government high school. We also find out how, driven by a fundamental enjoyment of learning, Steven works globally with technology, instructional video and assistive technology to promote education. In our conversation, we explore the education reading group #edureading where teachers read an academic research paper, then respond and discuss - via short Flipgrid videos and Twitter - its practical classroom application. Steven clarifies the distinction between academics and teachers, and the often complicated and nuanced dynamics and protocols of the educational research space. Steven offers insights into the fundamental aims of the edureading group: that is, to encourage teachers to use online spaces for their professional learning, and develop their confidence, skills and knowledge in educational research. This might then relate to other issues such as politics and context, power dynamics and respect, communication and flexibility of ideas, and teachers “talking back” to research. Steven hopes that once teachers have a greater interest, engagement and agency with educational research, their activities might extend into related areas such as education policy making and planning their own research projects, including writing up and sharing their findings with other educators. Links Steven’s website  https://www.stevenkolber.com #edureading – Academic reading group  https://sites.google.com/view/educational-reading-group/home    Mr Kolber’s Teaching  https://www.youtube.com/channel/mrkolbersteaching    Melbourne Teach Meet  https://sites.google.com/view/teachmeetmelbourne/home Transcript: https://pastebin.com/i2tGmKDF