Listen: The Kids are Reading the News with JJ Janikis & Tami Flood of Newsela

 

While I was at ISTE in June, the big talking point on everyone’s minds was digital citizenship. How can we prepare our students, in a world surrounded by technology and connectivity, with access to more information than is imaginable, to support safe and responsible technology use? For some, that means getting students knowledgeable about how to discern fact from fiction, or fact from exaggeration, online, especially in hard news.

But how do you create a platform for students to read about current events, whether troubling or exciting, that is both age-appropriate and matches each students reading level? It’s a daunting task, but not one that’s being ignored. JJ Janikis (Newsela Team Lead of Educator Communities) and Tami Flood (Teacher and Newsela Certified Educator) came on the podcast to give their in-the-classroom and EdTech-provider points of view on digital citizenship, empowering teachers to take command of personalized technology, the importance of current events for a young audience, and how to “unlock the written word for everyone.” In the spirit of Newsela’s mission, the two also duke it out in 5 Word Summaries over a Starbucks Gift Card. Tami’s skilled with her appositives.

For the latest news, videos, and podcasts in the Education Technology Industry, be sure to subscribe to our industry publication.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!
Twitter – @EducationTechMS
Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale
LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Image

Latest

imposter syndrome
Busting Imposter Syndrome Through Presence, Community, and the Power of Delegation
December 10, 2025

Many of us know the feeling: you rack up accomplishments, hit the milestones you once dreamed of, and still there’s a quiet voice asking, “Am I really good enough?” Imposter syndrome has a way of showing up even in our strongest moments, often right when we’re stepping into new opportunities or chapters of growth. And…

Read More
Inside Breaking Down the New Behavioral Threat Assessment Report
Breaking Down the New National Behavioral Threat Assessment Report
December 9, 2025

School Safety Today podcast, presented by Raptor Technologies. In this episode of School Safety Today, host Dr. Amy Grosso interviews guest expert Will Durgin to discuss the newly released Behavioral Threat Assessment and Management (BTAM) Report from the National Threat Assessment Center and Homeland Security. They explore how this report differs from previous NTAC…

Read More
Trades
HVAC Safety Reform with Fallon Dyle: Rethinking Chemical Practices and Tackling Hidden Health Hazards in the Field
December 9, 2025

As HVAC systems evolve and health concerns take center stage, the industry is being forced to reckon with more than just performance specs. A growing threat from resilient biofilms, coupled with widespread misinformation about chemical cleaners like bleach, is pushing technicians and manufacturers to reexamine how they approach safety and maintenance. Reports have emerged…

Read More
creative
How an Underdog Mindset, Creative Discipline, and People-First Leadership Helped Cecil Cross Build Lasting Professional Equity
December 9, 2025

More and more, the creative journey looks less like a straight line and more like a series of pivots, setbacks, and surprising new opportunities. As layoffs, industry shifts, and unpredictable career turns reshape what a “typical” creative path looks like, many professionals are being pushed to turn uncertainty into momentum. Many are asking how to…

Read More