Applied AI in student projects

In this episode of ChatEDU (Vibe Coding from New Zealand) while Liz continues her adventure, Matt is joined by Yaron Overeem, a school principal from New Zealand and ChatEDU listener. He shares his experience with AI literacy, cultural preservation, and the rise of vibe coding. But first, a recent Futurism article details how an AI-powered teddy bear was pulled from shelves after giving dangerous instructions to kids. Matt and Yaron reflect on the risks of generative AI, especially when it comes to younger users.

Story #1: AI in Career Pathways

New CTE pilots in the U.S. are preparing high schoolers for AI-infused careers in agriculture, healthcare, and manufacturing. Matt highlights a story out of South Carolina and asks how schools can support students in learning to build AI. Yaron shares how his students are beginning to explore how AI connects to broader industries and why it’s critical to go beyond job titles and explore industry ecosystems.

Story #2: AI and Academic Integrity

After analyzing 85 episodes of ChatEDU transcripts in NotebookLM, Matt reveals that AI cheating and academic integrity rank among the top three most frequently discussed topics on the show, alongside bias and AI literacy. Yaron shares his own reflections from the faculty lounge and the classroom, including what happens when students and teachers start using AI to write communications. His solution: pick up the phone and talk.

Story #3: Māori Language, Bias, and Data Sovereignty

As AI tools become widespread in education, cultural representation and linguistic accuracy are under scrutiny. Yaron unpacks a growing national conversation about how tools like ChatGPT and Gemini often misrepresent Māori culture and language, including his own example of an AI-generated image of Tangaroa that looked suspiciously like Jason Momoa. Teachers are concerned about misinterpretations, omissions, and inaccuracies when using AI in bilingual classrooms. Locally developed tools like Te Hiku Media’s Māori speech recognition system are offering promising alternatives, and the government is being pushed to consider Te Tiriti o Waitangi and data sovereignty in its AI policies.

Beneath the Surface: Vibe Coding

Inspired by a past episode, Yaron began using Gemini AI Studio and Firebase to create custom classroom tools using only natural language prompts. From timers and reward systems to student scheduling, he has built tailored apps that meet his school’s needs without traditional coding. It’s a compelling example of what happens when educators apply creativity and curiosity to AI in practice.

Bright Byte: AI Saving New Zealand’s Birds

Matt and Yaron look at how AI vision and genetic analysis are helping preserve endangered species like the flightless kākāpō. AI-enabled traps use computer vision to detect predators like rats and possums without harming native wildlife.

Links & References

AI-Powered Stuffed Animal Pulled From Market After Disturbing Interactions With Children

https://tinyurl.com/5fn6uf8h

AI Tutors in Early Reading Instruction

https://tinyurl.com/3mdvj4zu

Businesses Want Employees With AI Skills

https://tinyurl.com/wasm78jn

Māori Culture, Language, and Data Sovereignty

https://tinyurl.com/3yhb7xkf

Images made with AI recycle colonial stereotypes and bias

https://tinyurl.com/mvmnta5x

New Zealand is turning to AI and genetic research to save rare birds

https://tinyurl.com/4ck3zn4e

Learning They'll Love - Dr. Elizabeth Radday

ASCD: https://tinyurl.com/bde652nn

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/22t9hz77

Barnes and Noble: https://tinyurl.com/bdckf6zw

Announcements & Sponsors

Check out the new Student AI Course for middle and high school. Email Matt and Liz at ⁠chatedu@edadvance.org⁠

The Winter Micro-Credential is now open. Join us for the educator and school leader course starting in January - ⁠ ⁠⁠skills21.org/ai/micro⁠

The National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing. ⁠www.nextgenmfg.org⁠