The Civics Hive Tue, 10 Mar 2026 16:45:32 -0400 https://www.buzzsprout.com/2330503 en-us © 2026 The Civics Hive yes ba93d1d9-f439-54a7-bd40-02083d2da9d8 Mary Ellen Daneels and MJ Warden episodic false The Civics Hive podcast that takes you on a journey through the intersection of civics and technology, preparing students for active civic engagement in the 21st century! In each episode, we'll explore essential questions with our expert guests including leading educators, tech innovators, and passionate advocates, all sharing their wisdom and experiences to empower you with the knowledge you need to make a difference.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Mary Ellen Daneels and MJ Warden https://storage.buzzsprout.com/tltjglyy1swd05dnd1831uyv9mjz?.jpg The Civics Hive S1E5 - Talking with Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg on Igniting Youth in an Election Season S1E5 - Talking with Kei Kawashima-Ginsberg on Igniting Youth in an Election Season How can we engage youth in a meaningful way in the 2024 election season? Kei  Kawashima-Ginsberg helps us unpack the challenges with promoting civic engagement for K12 students and provides insights into how teachers and administrators can overcome these obstacles through bringing relevance and advocacy. Active civic participation can be a transformative practice in our students’ daily lives. Recorded back in February at the start of the 2024 election season, this episode examines solid approaches to engaging our youth in this important democratic process.

]]> How can we engage youth in a meaningful way in the 2024 election season? Kei  Kawashima-Ginsberg helps us unpack the challenges with promoting civic engagement for K12 students and provides insights into how teachers and administrators can overcome these obstacles through bringing relevance and advocacy. Active civic participation can be a transformative practice in our students’ daily lives. Recorded back in February at the start of the 2024 election season, this episode examines solid approaches to engaging our youth in this important democratic process.

]]> Mary Ellen Daneels and MJ Warden Buzzsprout-15575856 Tue, 27 Aug 2024 09:00:00 -0500 3293 full false S1E4 - Talking with Leah Bueso on Civics Equity for Students with Disabilities S1E4 - Talking with Leah Bueso on Civics Equity for Students with Disabilities This episode features in-depth conversations with Dr. Leah Bueso, Assistant Professor of Urban Education at the University of Illinois Springfield, about the current challenges that students with disabilities face in terms of civic equity. We discuss how educators and policymakers can work together to create environments that prioritize the civic engagement of students with disabilities. Dr. Bueso also shares with us wisdom in building community engagement that improves civic equity for students with disabilities.

]]> This episode features in-depth conversations with Dr. Leah Bueso, Assistant Professor of Urban Education at the University of Illinois Springfield, about the current challenges that students with disabilities face in terms of civic equity. We discuss how educators and policymakers can work together to create environments that prioritize the civic engagement of students with disabilities. Dr. Bueso also shares with us wisdom in building community engagement that improves civic equity for students with disabilities.

]]> Mary Ellen Daneels and MJ Warden Buzzsprout-15574043 Tue, 13 Aug 2024 07:00:00 -0500 3144 2 1 full false S1E3 - Talking with Joel Breakstone on Civics Online Reasoning S1E3 - Talking with Joel Breakstone on Civics Online Reasoning In today's Information Age, a firehose of content blasts at us from every corner of the internet.  Sorting truth from fiction, fact from propaganda, can feel like an impossible task.  But what if there were tools we could use to navigate this digital landscape with confidence?  This episode of The Civics Hive dives deep into the critical skill of civic online reasoning – the ability to critically evaluate the information we encounter online – with our guest, Dr. Joel Breakstone, Director of the Stanford History Education Group and leader of the Digital Inquiry Group.  Dr. Breakstone has dedicated his career to developing free curriculum and assessments that empower students – and citizens of all ages –  to become discerning consumers of online information.

]]> In today's Information Age, a firehose of content blasts at us from every corner of the internet.  Sorting truth from fiction, fact from propaganda, can feel like an impossible task.  But what if there were tools we could use to navigate this digital landscape with confidence?  This episode of The Civics Hive dives deep into the critical skill of civic online reasoning – the ability to critically evaluate the information we encounter online – with our guest, Dr. Joel Breakstone, Director of the Stanford History Education Group and leader of the Digital Inquiry Group.  Dr. Breakstone has dedicated his career to developing free curriculum and assessments that empower students – and citizens of all ages –  to become discerning consumers of online information.

]]> Mary Ellen Daneels and MJ Warden Buzzsprout-15092937 Sat, 18 May 2024 14:00:00 -0500 2820 1 3 full true S1E2 Talking with Joe Kahne on Educating for a Diverse Democracy S1E2 Talking with Joe Kahne on Educating for a Diverse Democracy Educating for a Diverse Democracy with Joe Kahne

What does it mean to educate for a diverse democracy? In this episode, Mary Ellen and MJ discuss this essential question of our era with Professor Joe Kahne who teaches at the University of California Riverside and is the Director of the Civic Engagement Research Group (CERG). In November of 2022, Professor Kahne along with his colleague Professor John Rodgers of UCLA, published a report about the challenges of educating for a diverse democracy across the USA with all its purple, red, and blue school districts. We unpack this important question and explore possible ways to accomplish a more democratic society. 

]]> Educating for a Diverse Democracy with Joe Kahne

What does it mean to educate for a diverse democracy? In this episode, Mary Ellen and MJ discuss this essential question of our era with Professor Joe Kahne who teaches at the University of California Riverside and is the Director of the Civic Engagement Research Group (CERG). In November of 2022, Professor Kahne along with his colleague Professor John Rodgers of UCLA, published a report about the challenges of educating for a diverse democracy across the USA with all its purple, red, and blue school districts. We unpack this important question and explore possible ways to accomplish a more democratic society. 

]]> Mary Ellen Daneels and MJ Warden Buzzsprout-14924101 Sat, 20 Apr 2024 15:00:00 -0500 2615 1 2 full false S1E1 - Opening Episode with Shawn McCusker Talking about AI and Civic Education S1E1 - Opening Episode with Shawn McCusker Talking about AI and Civic Education Shaping the Future: AI and Civic Education with Shawn McCusker

This episode dives deep into the potential of Artificial Intelligence to revolutionize civic education. We talk with Shawn McCusker, author of Becoming Active Citizens and Senior Director of Professional Learning at EdTechTeacher, and explore how AI can personalize learning, increase accessibility, and empower citizens. But we also delve into the challenges, like potential bias and ethical considerations. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion as we discuss the future of AI in shaping informed and engaged citizens.

Shawn's Blog
Shawn's work at EdTechTeacher
Shawn's Book, Becoming Active Citizens

Find more resources on civic education at the Illinois Civics Hub!

]]> Shaping the Future: AI and Civic Education with Shawn McCusker

This episode dives deep into the potential of Artificial Intelligence to revolutionize civic education. We talk with Shawn McCusker, author of Becoming Active Citizens and Senior Director of Professional Learning at EdTechTeacher, and explore how AI can personalize learning, increase accessibility, and empower citizens. But we also delve into the challenges, like potential bias and ethical considerations. Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion as we discuss the future of AI in shaping informed and engaged citizens.

Shawn's Blog
Shawn's work at EdTechTeacher
Shawn's Book, Becoming Active Citizens

Find more resources on civic education at the Illinois Civics Hub!

]]> Mary Ellen Daneels and MJ Warden Buzzsprout-14699225 Fri, 15 Mar 2024 18:00:00 -0500 3388 full false