In Episode 21 of The Wired Educator Podcast Kelly interviews Michael Matera, the author of the new book, Explore Like a Pirate.
Michael Matera has taught for more than a decade using interactive play, passion and purpose-driven learning to transform the classroom in international, public and private schools.
He is a pioneer in the field of education, using gamification and technology to increase authentic student engagement and content acquisition.  Along with being a full time teacher at University School of Milwaukee, Michael is also a nationally-known presenter and international consultant of game-based learning. Additionally, he is the author of Explore Like a Pirate: Gamification and Game-Inspired Course Design to Engage, Enrich and Elevate Your Learners. He was named one of ASCD Emerging Leaders in 2015 for infusing best practices in the field with accessible gamified teaching methods.  
Michael is driven to transform education through theoretical and technological applications that identify and inspire limitless learning thresholds in ourselves and in our students.  
Mentioned in this podcast: 
Check out The Create Conference at http://createconference.net.
Visit Michael's website at www.MrMatera.com
Connect with Michael on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/mrmatera and follow his hashtag #exlap for great content and chats. 
Michael's book: Explore Like a Pirate.
His most influential book: Teach Like a Pirate by Dave Burgess.
Michael recommended to Kelly the book One Small Step Can Change Your Life: The Kaizen Way by Robert Maurer Ph.D.
He also recommended the book The 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene.
Favorite tech in the classroom: Go Formative!
Check out the Wired Educator blog at: www.WiredEducator.com
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