# Summary:

Mick Purcell is the Head of School at KC High in Chennai. Originally from the United States, Mick has been a teacher for more than 25 years and taught many subjects including physics, general science, and mathematics. He is widely recognized as an innovator in international education, developing programs in web literacy among others. 

In today’s episode, Mick speaks about the importance of creating effectively-managed, positive social spaces for children to thrive both online and offline, how teachers and educators are evolving today as they become facilitators and support students through their learning journeys not mere explainers of information and finally how educational change makers can enable such positive, social changes for bettering the future of learning.

Listen To Podcast Here: 

__Spotify:__

<iframe src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/2bZ8loWMu0V4UnMrQ4Z8IA" width="100%" height="232" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture"></iframe>

__Anchor:__
<iframe src="https://anchor.fm/inspiritvr/embed/episodes/Creating-A-Sense-of-Community-in-a-Virtual-Environment-with-Mick-Purcell-e1hciea/a-a7pcjci" height="208px" width="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>

## This Show is Hosted by: 
__Inspirit__, the 3D STEM learning platform, revolutionizing virtual science learning everywhere! 

## In This Episode We Cover:

The important role that educators play in the roles of students, to help them navigate internet resources today and sort out the good information from the bad information. 

How developing skills such as research skills, thinking skills, social skills, soft skills are more important for teachers to teach students

How the classroom experience for students is largely a social experience as students love to meet their friends and have more interactive experiences, which are all essential parts of a student’s thought process and growth, all happening within a school even though these are not part of the school curriculum.

Supporting teachers - Mick speaks in-depth about the complexities of a teacher’s job and how important it is to appreciate and provide the necessary support for each teacher, as they play the roles of facilitator, coach, and supportive adult in the classroom; he adopts the TART (Time, Autonomy, Respect & Training) philosophy.

Mick’s take on the future of learning wherein he believes that the best thing educational organizations can do is to guide learners with some wisdom and experience to use study resources effectively, to ask the right questions and to create happy, well-managed, positive spaces for them.

## Hot Takes:

”I have a personal philosophy - TART. Make sure that teachers are given enough time, autonomy, respect, and training. If you make time and give the autonomy and respect and training to help them do their jobs well, teachers will be able to cope better while with dealing and managing students of different age groups and behaviors.*

References Joy Ito the famous Japanese entrepreneur and venture capitalist - “We should divide Human history into 2 periods - BI (Before Internet) and AI (After Internet)”

”Education is about people. Key point here is that bringing people together is the best thing educational organizations can do. We guide learners with some wisdom and experience to use the resources effectively, ask the right questions, to create and manage communities whether offline or online.”


Learn About Creating A Sense of Community in a Virtual Environment with Mick Purcell!

Creating A Sense of Community in a Virtual Environment with Mick Purcell 

Tune into Educators of the Metaverse (6) Mick Purcell

Creating A Sense of Community in a Virtual Environment with Mick Purcell | EOTMP Episode 6

# Summary:

Join us this episode as Nadine chats with Tom McFadden, aka the Rhymbosome, all about creativity in the science classroom! Tom shares his experience with music and science, and how he’s translated those passions through meaningful work with students all over the world. His latest project, Rhymewit, lowers the barrier to introducing creativity and lyrics into any science or history classroom. Listen all the way till the end of this episode for a special surprise from Tom himself 🤓.

## Listen To Podcast Here:

__Spotify:__

<iframe src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/5JL2Kn2N2UlQCBMT5iFORK" width="100%" height="232" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture"></iframe>

__Anchor:__
<iframe src="https://anchor.fm/inspiritvr/embed/episodes/Exploring-Creativity-in-Science-with-Tom-McFadden-e1hn5qh/a-a7qn7oc" height="204px" width="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>

## This Show is Hosted by: 

Inspirit, the 3D STEM learning platform, revolutionizing virtual science learning everywhere!

## In This Episode We Cover:

- Tom’s impressive background with music and science- from a kid who re-wrote Weird Al Yankovic lyrics to a Fulbright recipient in New Zealand

- His history of making music videos- he initially wrote all music videos for college students. But now his song writing theory is- if you aim for middle school, you’ll land in the general public. 

- Tom’s experience with Nueva School: Avant-garde! There are no bells, no letter grades, they write narrative evaluations for students. They pride themselves on interdisciplinary curriculum.

- Tom’s love for NGSS- the shift from “students will know XYZ...” to emphasis on content, but also 1) on how scientists approach the world and 2) cross cutting concepts- providing a lens on how to approach the world.

- The pandemic has only made Tom value more design thinking instruction and SEL!

- Bringing an interdisciplinary lens and authentic self to the classroom inherently lends itself to creativity

- Tools like Rhymewit can provide an easy, structured and scaffolded opportunity for creative science and social emotional learning to take place in the classroom.

## Hot Takes:

”'You do this random meaningless work and I’ll give you this A' shuts people’s brains off to the wonder and excitement and passion for learning. I think a lot of kids when they get to college and beyond, who came up in that transactional system just become really lost.”

## Links from the Show:
- __[Weird Al Yankovic](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%22Weird_Al%22_Yankovic)__

- __[Rhymewit](https://rhymewit.com/)__

- Tom’s Youtube channel: __[Science with Tom](https://www.youtube.com/sciencewithtom)__
- Part of Tom’s masters thesis: __[Fossil Rock Anthem music video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClJ5lwl_wM0&feature=youtu.be)__ 

## Guest’s Handles:

__[www.sciencewithtom.com](http://www.sciencewithtom.com/)__

YouTube: __[https://www.youtube.com/sciencewithtom](https://www.youtube.com/sciencewithtom)__

Twitter: @SciencewithTom

Facebook: __[facebook.com/sciencewithtom](http://facebook.com/sciencewithtom)__

IG: __[https://instagram.com/sciencewithtom](https://instagram.com/sciencewithtom)__

Learn about exploring creativity in science with Tom McFadden!

Exploring Creativity in Science with Tom McFadden, Educators of the Metaverse Podcast Episode 7

Tom McFadden - Educators of the Metaverse Podcast 