E18 - Passion-Based Learning with Steve Martinez from Kami

On this episode of Blending In, I had the privilege of chatting with Steve Martinez, a Google certified, Microsoft Innovative Educator, podcaster, and innovator from the Central Valley of California, who works for Kami, Turlock Unified, and CSU Stanislaus!  Steve is an expert on flipped learning, project-based learning, and design thinking, and provides professional development for teachers all over the world. In our chat today, we had a great discussion about project/problem/inquiry-based learning and design thinking, and how tapping into students' passions and interests can stimulate their desire to learn, create, and solve real-world problems.  

Steve made such a great point in our conversation today about how for a long time, in our educational system, we have been confusing “engagement” with “compliance”.  He reiterated in our conversation how design-thinking can open up a wave of innovation and create a mind and culture shift for both teachers and students in the classroom that stimulates true engagement in learning.  We talked through some of the challenges that come through making this type of shift and how Steve navigated these uncharted waters.  Steve and I also chatted about how the coming AI wave is also beginning to cause a transformative shift in how we operate blended learning landscapes.

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