Technology Essentials in Education Episode 42:
Elevating Student Participation, But Student-Centered Learning

About the Episode

In this episode of Technology Essentials in Education, host Dr. Monica Burns sits down with Miriam Plotinsky—author, educational writer, and instructional specialist for secondary English language arts and literacy in Montgomery County Public Schools (Maryland's largest public school district). Supporting over 200 schools, Plotinsky shares her expertise on redefining and elevating student participation across K–12 learning environments. The conversation centers on looking past traditional, visible markers of participation—such as hand-raising or vocal compliance—and reframing student participation as deep cognitive and emotional engagement with content. Plotinsky outlines how participation spans four core language domains (reading, listening, speaking, and writing) and explains how intentional structures, processing time, and digital tools like discussion boards or polling features can empower quiet or hesitant students to contribute meaningfully.