Extended Learning Opportunities: Michigan Learning Channel

In this episode, we (Mark Raffler and Sarah Shoemaker) connect with Annie Spear & Rachel Cain.  Annie is the literacy content project manager for MAISA and the Michigan Learning Channel and Rachel is the education engagement specialist for WGVU media and the Michigan Learning Channel coordinator.  Annie and Rachel join us today to connect around extended learning opportunities through the Michigan Learning Channel.

Here is a quick brief of our conversation:

Sarah kicks off the conversation with the prompt:  “Tell us about the Michigan Learning Channel.”  Annie describes the public media partnership between the Michigan Learning Channel and eight different PBS stations.  This initiative began during the pandemic as a way to reach students and families in their homes.  The Michigan Association of Intermediate School Administrators (MAISA) provided funding for teachers to base literacy lessons on the Essential Instructional Practices in Early Literacy.  From that, the program Read, Write, ROAR! was born.  Accessibility is at the forefront of this partnership.

Mark adds to the dialogue by asking:  “What programming is available and how might listeners access it?”  Rachel highlights a few of the Michigan Learning Channel offerings - ranging from social emotional learning, math, virtual field trips, and more!

Sarah responds:  “Delve further into the programming around literacy titled “Read, Write, Roar.  What is important to know here?”  Annie briefly describes her initial online learning solutions during the early days of the pandemic and how that experience lead to the research-based lessons of Read, Write, Roar by using multiple teachers across grades Pre-K-3rd grade and the Literacy Essentials.  Since 2020, this content has grown and flourished!  Currently, Read, Write, Roar is producing a 4th & 5th grade series as well.

Mark asks:  “What are some of the benefits of providing learning opportunities beyond the school day or school year?”  Rachel graciously talks about engaging in continued learning and opportunities to explore subjects and activities that students are curious about.

Following our normal podcast protocol, we ask for resources for educators to learn more about artificial intelligence and encourage Annie and Rachel to highlight some departing words for our listeners.  Check out our resource page for all the links!

We wrap up this episode by asking listeners to share your thoughts on podcast topics - your voice matters!  Please visit bit.ly/LLCNtopics to tell us what you want future podcasts to focus on in relation to literacy.  

All resources in this LLCN Brief (and future podcasts) can be found at:  bit.ly/LLCNresources2324  Subscribe to the Literacy Leadership and Coaches Network podcasts here: anchor.fm/llcnbrief or your favorite podcast platform.

Please note the audio used as an introduction and in transitions in this podcast is under the Creative Common License and attribution is given as follows:Medicine by WinnieTheMoogLink: https://filmmusic.io/song/6256-medicine License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/