Author: Gary Lemke

Despite massive investments in educational technology, learning still looks and feels the same. In a recent podcast, Dr. Catlin Tucker asked, “Why Isn’t EdTech Transforming Learning?” Technology alone doesn’t drive transformation. How we use it does. I agree. Infrastructure like school networks and mobile devices are a good start. They are part of the “first mile”… Read more

I recently researched how high schools award credit for diploma-required courses like Physical Education. The results indicate that PE substitution options are now considered standard practice. A substitution allows a student to use a proxy in place of traditional physical education. This may be a school sport, marching band, ROTC, an online course, summer school,… Read more

What traits do we want when looking for a trusted source? We tend to listen to the passionately attentive. It is the confidant who has a knack for being more human. Would you be surprised to know that people now prefer AI chatbots to humans? A study in JAMA Internal Medicine found that patients preferred a… Read more

A charismatic teacher stands in a middle school with a message for students about the only subjects more stressful than algebra and calculus: Artificial intelligence (AI). His advice: “Think about what makes humans human and lean into that as hard as possible.” On the opposite end, Allstate is discovering that AI can be more empathetic… Read more

Below is a snippet from A.J. Juliani’s post, The relevancy problem: What can we do to make learning meaningful? I encourage you to read the entire post. We already know what works and doesn’t work. Kids are not normally engaged in lectures, textbooks, homework, and traditional assessments. Our best learning experiences as adults didn’t happen when compliance was… Read more

The status quo offers familiarity and habit. It avoids the anxiety of thinking about the unknown behind the new door. We convince ourselves to settle for “good enough.” When it comes to health, most people want something more than “good enough.” We want to live our best life. We want to win our personal championships… Read more

What do you teach? Interestingly, health educators offer a wide range of answers including: These responses seem acceptable and accepted practice. Is one better than the other? Perhaps so, perhaps not. I assume the integrity of each can be vigorously defended by their supporters. Without picking winners and losers, a common theme emerges. There is… Read more

I recently introduced the Interactive Health Triad, my thesis for the inter-related nature of health, wellness, and well-being (​more​). The Triad highlights health in action. It is a reminder that health knowledge needs active engagement and personal agency. It works for all health topics. How does the Health Triad compare to the Health Triangle? Historically,… Read more

I am the offspring of two lifetime smokers. In my youth, tobacco use was normal, a part of everyday life. Media (TV, print, radio) encouraged smoking. Smoking was commonplace in restaurants, airports, and other public places. Ashtrays were standard equipment in automobiles. Some of my peers became smokers. I never picked up the habit. In… Read more

How would you answer this question? “What’s the difference between wellness, and well-being?” If you are the health/PE teacher in the building, the more likely question – “What is it that you teach?” The Health Triad explains the inter-related nature of health, wellness, and well-being. The Triad is a reminder that health knowledge without personal action is… Read more