Welcome to Digital Learning Today. In this episode, Jeff Bradbury explores the strategic systems that shape the future of education, focusing on Instructional Coaching, Artificial Intelligence, Professional Learning, and the latest Educational Technology Trends.
In this episode, Jeff Bradbury interviews Caroline Davidson from World Book about literacy, content knowledge, and innovative tools like Classmate to support teachers and students. They explore strategies for integrating literacy across content areas and supporting diverse learners.
Become a High-Impact Leader:
This episode is just the beginning. To get the complete blueprint for designing and implementing high-impact systems in your district, get your copy of my book, "
Impact Standards."
- Strategic Vision for Digital Learning:Learn how to create a district-wide vision that aligns digital learning with your educational goals, transforming how standards-based instruction is designed and supported.
- Curriculum Design and Implementation:Discover practical strategies for integrating digital learning into existing curricula, creating vertical alignment of skills, and mapping digital learning across grade levels.
- Effective Instructional Coaching:Master the art of coaching people rather than technology, building relationships that drive success, and measuring impact through student engagement rather than just technology usage.
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Impact Standards” on Amazon today!
In This Episode …
- The process of creating an encyclopedia and updating content
- The importance of literacy as a gatekeeper to knowledge
- How to support students with varying literacy levels
- The launch and purpose of World Book's Classmate platform
- Strategies for integrating literacy into content areas
Chapters:
- 00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest
- 07:08 Supporting students with prior knowledge and content familiarity
- 08:01 Understanding the difference between literacy and content knowledge
- 09:27 The importance of practice and explicit instruction in literacy
- 10:58 Cognitive load and prior knowledge in reading comprehension
- 12:10 Supporting new students and diverse learners
- 13:29 Introduction to World Book's Classmate platform
- 14:41 How Classmate supports literacy and content knowledge
- 15:14 Literacy as a gatekeeper to knowledge
- 16:36 Assessing student literacy and decoding skills
- 18:10 Supporting teachers without an ELA background
- 19:32 Supporting literacy in non-ELA content areas
- 21:17 Getting started with Classmate for teachers
- 22:11 Using Classmate to enhance content and literacy
- 23:41 Embedding literacy supports with AI tools
- 24:15 The role of instructional coaching in literacy support
- 25:17 Making literacy part of classroom culture
- 26:40 Advice for teachers starting the school year
- 28:21 Resources to learn more about World Book and Classmate
- 28:52 Lightning round: book recommendations and classroom routines
Resources Mentioned in This Episode:
About our Guest: Caroline Davidson
Caroline Davidson is the Associate Manager of Learning Design at World Book, where she shapes educational resources that support meaningful learning. A former classroom teacher, she spent years working with students in grades 4–6 and holds endorsements in Reading K–12 and Mathematics K–8.
She earned her M.A. in Differentiated Instruction, bringing both hands-on teaching experience and academic expertise to her work in creating effective, learner-centered content.
Meet ClassMate by World Book
Meet ClassMate by World Book — the reading and learning platform built for and trusted by middle school teachers!
For over 100 years, World Book has inspired curiosity and built reliable knowledge. ClassMate carries that legacy forward.
Unlike AI tools built on the open web, ClassMate works exclusively within World Book's expert-written, editorially reviewed content library. Teachers create engaging classroom activities quickly and with confidence.
The result: students build knowledge, strengthen literacy, and think critically, while educators spend more time teaching.
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Jeff Bradbury (ISTE “20 to Watch” Award Winner and ISTE Certified Educator) is available for keynote speaking, workshop facilitation, and live event broadcasting. With expertise in educational technology and professional development, Jeff brings engaging content and practical strategies to conferences and professional learning events.
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