Improving Teaching for Stakeholders with High-Quality Research with Todd Grindal

More Than a Test

In this episode of the More Than a Test podcast, Todd Grindal, Associate Center Director and Principal Senior Researcher at SRI Education discusses the organization's work in education-focused research and technical assistance. He also shares his personal journey and views on dyslexia.

SRI Education conducts high-quality research, builds capacity through technical assistance, and develops innovative tools that improve teaching and accelerate and deepen learning. In this episode, Todd discusses how curriculum developers can make it easy and straightforward for teachers to use tech tools and programs. He also talks about the tools, support, and understanding available today for dyslexic students to have it easier with printed text.

If you are a teacher, parent, or anyone who is interested in learning more about dyslexia, this episode is for you. Todd provides valuable insights and information that can help you support dyslexic students in your life.

What You Will Discover:

00:00 Episode begins

01:14 SRI’s focus on providing technical assistance, research, and evolution in 3 key areas.

03:50 Todd explains where SRI belongs in supporting young students in the education system.

06:26 The work SRI is doing with policymakers and practitioners to support teachers.

11:28 Frustrations that exist in choosing and making tools fit in the art and science of teaching.

13:33 How developers can make tech tools easy and straightforward for teachers to take up.

16:15 Regular dialogue between stakeholders reduces early learners’ suspension and expulsion.

20:04 How to create a stronger engagement between students, teachers, and parents.

24:26 How SRI clearly explains to clients good and bad ideas after their research.

27:40 SRI’s role in collecting, interpreting, and providing evidence, plus their other impacts.

30:23 Todd shares his dyslexic journey and how tech tools have made it easier for him to read.

35:13 The tools and support available today to lessen the impact of dyslexia in students.

37:51 Find some reason to care about school besides printed text as a dyslexic student.

40:16 How to support students where they’re good at while recognizing their challenges.

42:16 Some rapid-fire questions with Todd!

Connect with Todd:

SRI Education: https://www.sri.com/education-learning/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-grindal-2bb09414/

Book Mentioned: Far from the Tree by Robin Benway

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About More Than a Test

Our goal is to take a hard look at the shortcomings in literacy education and tech while still finding a sense of hope in what's possible in education through learning and technology.

Our guests include non-profit leaders, tech CEOs, state and district leadership, research leaders from top institutions, and a few teachers with stories that might bring you to tears.

Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0JWhVG2nXZfC3FxOviFoR0

Listen on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/more-than-a-test/id1685012543

Listen on Other Platforms: https://more-than-a-test.captivate.fm/

About Amira Learning

Amira is the world’s first intelligent reading assistant that provides personalized tutoring to students at school, after school, or at home. Students working with Amira experience significant improvements in their reading fluency.

About your Host, Laura Glaab

Laura Glaab is a VP of Strategy at Amira Learning. She is a lifetime educator following behind educator parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents.

She's worked as a teacher and leader in public, private, and charter schools in places as far as India and as close to home as Boulder, Colorado. She holds degrees from Stanford, the University of Wyoming, and Kellogg School of Management.

She thinks everyone should read Saint Joan by George Bernard Shaw and the entire Piggie and Elephant Collection by Mo Willems.

Connect with Laura

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-glaab/

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