We (attempt to) discuss the purpose and history of education. Jordan starts off the episode giving some book club updates and a recap of the latest Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee hearing held about kids and screens. Helen and Jordan discuss the funny differences in their approach to “doing things.” Jordan often dives in immediately, and Helen takes more time to think it through. Most recently, Jordan created a technology survey to gather parent feedback regarding concerns with personal devices and school devices. She discusses an analogy about how smoking was once accepted (or at least permitted) in many places, including schools, and now the same is true with smartphones. Both are health-harming and both have secondhand effects. As Helen gives her first report on her “Introduction to Education in the United States” course, she teaches us all what a “snow squall” is after experiencing her first one! On the first day of class, Helen asked her students, “What is the purpose of education?” Jordan attempts to answer this in one word or short phrase and (not surprisingly) answers with many words. Helen discusses the latest Brookings Report on AI in education then shares about her current work-in-progress: creating a video series regarding disciplinary AI literacy and educator identity.

A new direction for students in an AI world

Jordan shares about her local TV news interview experience and how the segment disappointingly did not end up airing. (At the time of this episode release, the segment has aired.) Our conversation about a new global initiative called OFF February leads to the mutual agreement that Jordan writes emails that are far too long. Jordan shares about her first book club meeting reading Jean Twenge’s 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World and how it was a fantastic experience. Helen is gearing up for the first week of a new semester, teaching “Introduction to Education in the United States,” and in her recent state of “antsiness,” she took her daughter to the Peoria Zoo and then the fantastic Peoria Playhouse. We then dive into a Facebook history lesson; both our personal histories with the platform and the history of the company now rebranded as Meta. Jordan’s Facebook origin story goes back to the year THE Facebook was created in 2004, and Helen signed up a few years later in 2008. We each share various posts (both humorous and cringe-worthy) that we discovered in our deep dives. One memory Jordan forgot is that she had met Dierks Bentley--who is apparently a country musician--while at Ball State University. We then share about our differences in how we handle our Facebook “friends.”

Scrolling2Death, The Heat is On: https://www.scrolling2death.com/heat

We are so excited to be back for SEASON TWO of Millennial Mom Thoughts! Our holiday breaks were filled with travel, thoughtful gifts from our husbands, goal setting, and even a podcast retreat held at the former home of the Awesome Blossom aka Chili’s. And in case you haven’t been to Chili’s in a while, spoiler alert: they no longer have any fried onion appetizers. But don’t fret-- Helen can attest to the tastiness of their veggie burger. Make sure to check out our Instagram account because we now have a link to an online store called Bonfire, where you can purchase the coolest MMT sweatshirts, t-shirts, coffee mugs, and tumblers ever! Helen and Jordan each share how it was slightly strange to sit across from each other and have a face-to-face conversation despite talking to each other literally every week. We give a brief preview of what our next episode will be: our history with and the history of Facebook. Jordan shares a new adventure of starting up a book club for Jean Twenge’s 10 Rules for Raising Kids in a High-Tech World. We talk about Helen’s history with dance and her secret dream of being discovered. And Jordan is so excited to learn more about Helen’s plans for her upcoming course about the history of education. Naturally, we close the episode with a story of how Jordan was once accused of having a fake name.