In this episode of the Building Thinkers podcast, Tracy interviews Dr. Gina Sipley to discuss one of her twelve favorite problems: "How might we create space for mindset shifts in learning experiences?" Dr. Sipley is a community college professor and first-generation college graduate who fosters inclusive spaces where individuals from diverse backgrounds can explore how their relationship with both online and offline texts shapes their identities.

They delve into the concept of lurking in online spaces, examining its impact on learning and participation, and exploring strategies for fostering meaningful engagement in digital environments. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding lurking as a common practice, the benefits and harms associated with it, and strategies for curating diverse perspectives on social media. The conversation also touches on the role of perfectionism in online participation and the need for protective curation.

The episode emphasizes the significance of mindful social media engagement and the value of diverse voices in broadening our worldview.

Key Takeaways:

• Lurking has become the dominant way we interact online

• Curating diverse perspectives on social media is crucial

• Protective curation helps individuals navigate online spaces

• Engagement with social media should be mindful and intentional

  
  

Gina’s Recommendations:

Book Recommendations:

https://amzn.to/48uTXva

Algorithms of Oppression: How Search Engines Reinforce Bias by Safiya Umoja Noble https://amzn.to/48uy7Ie

Country of the Blind: A Memoir At The End of Sight by Andrew Leland

https://amzn.to/3YLj3Tb

Trolling Ourselves to Death: Democracy in the Age of Social Media by Jason Hannan

https://amzn.to/40uCl0G

Podcast Recommendations:

You’re Wrong About https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/youre-wrong-about/id1380008439

The Measure of Everyday Life https://measureradio.net/

Transforming Society https://www.transformingsociety.co.uk/transforming-society-podcast/

Connect with Gina:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gsipley/

You can subscribe to my newsletter, Words. by hitting the subscribe link on https://www.ginasipley.com/

I am a great resource for lurking and social media strategy, all things community college and the K-16 pipeline. I particularly love supporting first generation college students.

I am interested in problem solving at scale and I welcome speaking and consulting opportunities.

I would love to connect with other folks who bridge scholarly and creative pursuits for social good.

In this episode of the Building Thinkers podcast, Tracy is joined by Jovonee King to discuss one of her twelve favorite problems, “how might we make thinking visible?”

Jovonee is a Scaled Solutions Engineer at Miro, with a rich background in customer education and a passion for transformative collaboration. Jovonee shares her journey, highlighting her commitment to education, inclusivity, and community building.

In this episode, we delve into the concept of making thinking visible and explore how Miro enhances collaboration by fostering inclusive environments for idea sharing. Jovonne discusses the power of visualization in accelerating learning, overcoming perfectionism, and igniting creativity.

You’ll also get a sneak peek into the future of Miro, including exciting new features aimed at boosting creativity and innovation. Plus, we dive into Jovonne's personal interests in DIY projects and upcycling, showcasing how digital tools can reimagine physical spaces.

Key Takeaways:

• The importance of taking risks and learning from different experiences for career growth

• Visualization is crucial for effective collaboration and idea sharing

• Overcoming perfectionism is crucial for creative processes

• Visualization helps create an inclusive canvas that allows all voices to be heard

Jovonee’s Recommendations:

Book Recommendations:

• Design for How People Learn by Julie Dirksen: https://amzn.to/48f3CWv

• Master of Change by Brad Stulberg https://amzn.to/48f3CWv

Other Links:

Try Miro - https://miro.cello.so/Wviex1qZaSS

Canvas ‘24 - https://canvas24.miro.com/

Miro Community - https://miro.com/community/

Connect with Jovonee:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jovonee/

In this episode of the Building Thinkers podcast, Tracy is joined by Dr. Alaina Szlachta to discuss one of her 12 favorite problems, “how might we close the research-practice gap (the knowing-doing gap) across social impact sectors?"

Dr. Alaina Szlachta is a Measurement Architect who's passionate about making data literacy accessible for education professionals. In the discussion, they dive deep into the world of data-driven learning, the importance of bridging the research-practice gap, creating a learning culture, and more.

Alaina’s insights on building a strong learning culture, the power of feedback, and the importance of both quantitative and qualitative data will leave you thinking about how we can better use data across many of our domains and improve performance. They also touched on how personal problem-solving and experimentation play a critical role in developing data literacy, both at work and in everyday life.

If you're looking to elevate the way you or your organization approaches measurement and data-driven decision-making, Alaina's expertise will offer valuable guidance.

Key Takeaways:

• Data-Driven Learning: Organizations should shift away from traditional learning methods and focus on collecting data to identify specific performance gaps and challenges. This data-driven approach allows for more targeted and effective learning initiatives.

• Prioritizing Professional Development: A culture of continuous learning is essential for organizational growth. Companies should invest in opportunities and provide the necessary support to help employees develop their skills and knowledge.

• The Power of Practice: Practical experience is key to developing valuable skills. Engaging in problem-solving and experimentation allows individuals to apply their knowledge in real-world situations and foster a growth mindset.

• Data Literacy: Understanding and utilizing both quantitative and qualitative data is crucial for making informed decisions. Developing data literacy skills can empower individuals to analyze information and drive positive outcomes.

Alaina’s Recommendations:

Book Recommendations:

Measurement and Evaluation on a Shoestring, by Dr. Alaina Szlachta https://amzn.to/4ePySgT

Partner for Performance, by Ingrid Guerra-Lopez https://amzn.to/4eKB6hu

Show the Value of What You Do, by Patricia Pulliam Phillips https://amzn.to/47V1Jye

Podcast Recommendations:

2 Bobs: https://2bobs.com/

Clark Howard: https://clark.com/podcasts/

Creator Science: https://podcast.creatorscience.com/

Connect with Alaina:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drszlachta/

Website: https://dralainaszlachta.com/

Newsletter: https://dralainaszlachta.substack.com/