May 4, 2015
College of Education produces monthly Web series 'EduCATion Today'
The College of Education created a new Web series to build a bridge between subject matter experts in education and external audiences.
"EduCATion Today: The Issues & The Experts" will air monthly Webisodes on the college's YouTube channel and will address current issues in the field education. Experts from both on and off campus will weigh in on current issues ranging from inclusion and diversity to school finance.
Debbie Mercer, dean of the College of Education, is producing the series in the hopes it serves as a prompt for positive discussion for students, teachers, administrators, parents and policymakers.
"The professionals interviewed are experts in education who have practical experience and know what works," Mercer said. "Too often, it seems educators are overlooked when important discussions take place, and our goal with 'EduCATion Today' is to provide a forum for meaningful discussion and insight."
The first guest on "EduCATion Today" is Raymond Doswell, the college's 2015 Alumni Fellow and vice president of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri. He discusses the creation of the museum and the 25-year partnership between the College of Education and the museum, including the curriculum materials the college developed for teachers as an introduction into diversity.
"The museum provides content as an entrée into diversity," Doswell said. "Sports is a terrain that is shared and understood equally. It allows students to imagine their favorite teams without some of their favorite players. For older students, they can even imagine some of the social pressures these players faced like eating and traveling. It wasn't that long ago."
The next Webisode will feature Robert Hachiya, assistant professor of educational leadership, who will discuss school safety. Details will be forthcoming.