Hosts:

• Jakob Barnard
• Scot Loyd

Guest:

• Shane Ede, a high school business teacher and advisor for the DECA chapter and e-sports team.

Episode Highlights:

High School Education:

• Discussion on whether high school prepares students adequately for liberal arts colleges.
• Shane argues that high schools often focus too much on core subjects and standardized tests, leaving little room for broader subjects that foster a well-rounded education.

Challenges in Teaching:

• Teachers face increasing challenges, including remuneration, standards, and parental expectations.
• Shane notes that the post-pandemic era has brought changes in student behavior and communication due to technology.

Technology in the Classroom:

• The impact of technology on students' attention spans and communication skills.
• Concerns about students relying heavily on AI and technology for learning, potentially bypassing critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Parental Involvement:

• The changing dynamics of parent-teacher relationships, with some parents adopting a consumer mindset regarding their child's education.
• Teachers are sometimes seen as service providers who must cater to the demands of students and parents.

Education System Structure:

• Differences between high school and college education structures.
• High schools have rigid requirements, while colleges offer more flexibility in course selection and curriculum design.

Soft Skills and Liberal Arts Education:

• Emphasis on the importance of soft skills such as communication and empathy, which are often highlighted in a liberal arts education.
• Feedback from employers indicates a gap in these skills among graduates.

Future of Education:

• Discussion on potential structural changes in education to better align with skills and competencies rather than just credits and degrees.
• The importance of making education relevant and engaging to students to foster better learning outcomes.

Conclusion:

Our podcast concludes with reflections on the similarities and differences in educational challenges faced at the high school and college levels. We also emphasize the need for flexibility and relevance in education to better prepare students for the future.

Hosts:

• Jakob Barnard and Scot Loyd

Guest:

• Brian Mistro, Head Coach of Football at the University of Jamestown

Main Topics Discussed:

1. Introduction and Background of Brian Mistro:
   • Brian Mistro shares his journey from Arizona to becoming the head coach at the University of Jamestown.
   • His experiences in higher education included working at the University of Phoenix and coaching at Northern State and Concordia College before joining UJ in 2019.
2. Athletics and Liberal Arts:
   • The integration of athletics within the liberal arts framework at UJ.
   • The holistic student experience emphasizes the development of students beyond the classroom and athletic field.
3. Benefits of Being a Student-Athlete:
   • Mistro discusses the profound impact of athletics on student development, including learning through adversity, teamwork, and leadership.
   • The importance of being a well-rounded individual with skills learned outside the classroom.
4. College Experience and Relationships:
   • Building lifelong relationships and the value of the college experience.
   • Mistro shares personal anecdotes highlighting the long-term friendships and connections formed during college.
5. Balancing Academics and Athletics:
   • The importance of maintaining academic performance while participating in athletics.
   • Emphasizing student-athletes need to focus on their studies to ensure a successful future.
6. Recruiting Philosophy and Student-Athlete Profile:
   • UJ looks for qualities in student-athletes, including character, teamwork, and academic diligence.
   • Evaluating potential recruits through their high school coaches and academic performance.
7. Challenges and Changes in College Athletics:
   • Discussion on the transfer portal and name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals.
   • The potential benefits and abuses of the transfer portal and how it impacts student-athletes.
   • The impact of NIL deals at the NAIA level is limited compared to larger universities.
8. Leadership Development:
   • The role of athletics in developing leadership skills in student-athletes.
   • Encouraging students to be leaders in various aspects of their lives, not just on the field.
9. Final Thoughts and Recruitment Pitch:
   • Mistro emphasizes the importance of choosing to come to UJ and the opportunities it provides for personal growth and development.
   • The value of surrounding oneself with amazing people and the supportive environment at UJ.

Conclusion: The episode highlights the integration of athletics within the liberal arts framework at the University of Jamestown, emphasizing the holistic development of student-athletes. Through personal anecdotes and discussions on leadership, relationships, and the challenges in modern college athletics, the podcast underscores the value of a well-rounded college experience that prepares students for life beyond sports and academics.

As mentioned at the show's end, a journal article by Coffey and Davis (2019) entitled "The Holistic Approach to Academia: Traditional Classroom Instruction and Experiential Learning of Student-Athletes" is well worth the read!

Hosts: Scot Loyd and Jakob Barnard

Guest: Jim Bear, Education Faculty at the University of Jamestown.

In this episode, hosts Jakob Barnard and Scot Loyd explore the application of improvisational skills beyond the performing arts, specifically within education and technology. Guest Jim Baer, from the Teacher Education faculty at the University of Jamestown, shares insights on how improv can enhance teaching effectiveness. The discussion highlights the unpredictability in teaching, where educators often need to adapt spontaneously, much like in an improv setting. This skill proves essential in dealing with classroom technology failures or unexpected student interactions. The episode delves into the broader implications of improv in fostering communication and adaptability in various professional settings. Baer emphasizes the transformation in educational practices, particularly the shift towards engaging students more interactively and responsively. This aligns with the core principles of improv – always advancing the dialogue and encouraging a flexible, responsive teaching style.

Key Points:

1. Introduction to the Episode:
   1. Hosts Scot Loyd and Jakob Barnard introduce the episode, which explores the concept of improvisation (improv) as a vital life skill, particularly in education.
2. Jim Bear's Background:
   1. Jim Bear, a teacher education faculty member at the University of Jamestown, shares his experiences, including a principal certification test involving role-playing scenarios to test his improvisation ability.
3. Improv in Education:
   1. The conversation highlights how improv skills are essential for educators. Jim Bear emphasizes that teaching involves constant adaptation and responding to unexpected situations, much like improv.
4. The Concept of "Yes, And":
   1. Scot Loyd discusses the "Yes, And" principle from improv, which encourages accepting and building on ideas rather than shutting them down. This principle is crucial in education to keep discussions and learning progressing.
5. Application of Improv Skills:
   1. Improv skills help future educators think independently and manage classroom dynamics effectively. The discussion includes examples of how improv techniques can be incorporated into teaching methods.
6. Challenges and Evolution in Education:
   1. Jim Bear talks about the changes in education, particularly post-COVID-19, emphasizing the importance of relationships and adapting to students' social-emotional needs.
7. Liberal Arts Education:
   1. The value of a liberal arts education is discussed, particularly its role in preparing students to handle a wide range of situations by providing a broad-based, holistic approach to learning.
8. Engaging Students in the Digital Age:
   1. The discussion touches on the challenges of engaging students with short, quick content, like TikTok videos. Strategies for leveraging students' interests in digital media to enhance learning are explored.
9. Group Work and Communication Skills:
   1. The conversation delves into the difficulties and benefits of group work in education, emphasizing the importance of developing communication and leadership skills.
10. Final Thoughts:
    1. Jim Bear emphasizes the importance of considering every student as a contributor to the collective knowledge and wisdom of the classroom. He advocates for recognizing the value of each individual's input, regardless of their background or level of experience.

Conclusion:

The episode wraps up with a reminder of the importance of liking, sharing, subscribing, and rating the podcast. The hosts thank Jim Bear for his insights and look forward to future discussions.

Hosts: Scot Loyd and Jakob Barnard

In this episode of "Jimmie Office Hour," hosts Scot Loyd and Jakob Barnard explore the crucial role of failure in education, particularly within the liberal arts framework. The discussion opens with reflections on the demanding end of the academic year, setting the stage for a broader conversation about the inherent challenges and opportunities presented by liberal arts education.

Key Discussions:

• The Opportunity to Fail: The hosts discuss how liberal arts institutions like the University of Jamestown provide a safe space for students to fail and learn from their mistakes, which is vital for personal and academic growth. They emphasize that failure is a natural part of life and an essential component of learning.
• Real-World Applications: Jakob Barnard shares his journey through various academic disciplines and how his failures and explorations helped shape his career path, including a stint at Microsoft and eventually teaching. His narrative underscores the liberal arts' emphasis on broad skills applicable across different careers.
• Education's Role in Developing Resilience: The episode delves into how liberal arts education helps students develop resilience through structured challenges and less prescribed assignments, encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Interdisciplinary Learning and Career Preparation: The hosts argue that the blending of different fields within the liberal arts setting equips students with diverse skills, making them adaptable and versatile professionals. They stress that the ability to learn and adapt is more critical than ever in the rapidly changing 21st-century job market.

Conclusion: The episode wraps up with a powerful endorsement of the liberal arts as not just a means of academic engagement but as a profound preparation for real-life challenges. It calls for an appreciation of the liberal arts' role in fostering intellectual resilience, versatility, and the capacity to navigate and learn from failures.

Hosts: Scot Loyd and Jakob Barnard

• Scot Loyd, Assistant Professor of Communication Studies and Speech and Debate Coach at the University of Jamestown
• Jakob Barnard, Assistant Professor, Chair of the Computer Science Department, and Director of Online Technology Programs at the University of Jamestown

In this episode of “Jimmie Office Hour,” we celebrate the launch of this new podcast by covering the inspiration behind it, dive into application, and cover the importance of a liberal arts education in higher education.

Key Discussions:

1. Introduction to the Podcast:
   • Purpose: Discuss issues surrounding liberal arts education and its evolution.
   • Background: Hosts introduce themselves and their roles at the University of Jamestown.
2. Integration of Computer Technology in Liberal Arts:
   • Historical Perspective: Discussion on how computer science has always been linked to liberal arts since the 1970s.
   • Modern Relevance: Technology is now embedded in all aspects of liberal arts, making it indispensable in various classical liberal arts fields like mathematics, music, and rhetoric.
   • Educational Impact: Technology enhances the learning and application of these disciplines, creating a need for students to be technologically adept.
3. Challenges and Changes in Education:
   • Transformation of Higher Education: The landscape of higher education is changing, requiring adaptation in teaching methods and curriculum.
   • Student Preparedness: Emphasis on the necessity for students to develop both technical skills and soft skills such as communication and critical thinking.
   • AI and Technology: The rise of AI and its implications on programming and other technical fields. The need for students to understand and adapt to new technologies while retaining foundational skills.
4. Importance of Liberal Arts:
   • Broad-Based Learning: A liberal arts education provides a well-rounded foundation, enabling students to tackle various challenges and adapt to different fields.
   • Communication Skills: Vital for success in any field. The ability to articulate ideas clearly is emphasized as a key component of a liberal arts education.
5. Future of Liberal Arts:
   • Curriculum Evolution: The need to constantly reassess and update the liberal arts curriculum to stay relevant and inclusive of new perspectives.
   • Critical Thinking and Debate: Encouraging students to engage in debates and discussions to hone their critical thinking skills and broaden their understanding of complex issues.
6. Addressing ROI Concerns:
   • Value of Education: Addressing the perception that a liberal arts education may not offer a tangible return on investment.
   • Flexibility and Application: A liberal arts degree is versatile, providing a broad skill set that can be applied to various career paths.
   • Real-World Preparation: Highlighting the importance of preparing students for real-world challenges through a diverse and comprehensive educational experience.

Conclusion: The podcast underscores the significance of a liberal arts education in developing well-rounded individuals equipped with both technical and soft skills. The discussion emphasizes the evolving nature of education and the importance of adapting to new technologies while maintaining a strong foundational knowledge base. The episode concludes by encouraging listeners to share the podcast and continue engaging in conversations about the future of liberal arts education.