AI Ethics, Overreliance & Honest Talk with Jen Manly
In this episode of My EdTech Life, Fonz sits down with returning guest Jen Manly, a computer science educator, TikTok powerhouse, and advocate for ethical tech use, to unpack the complex relationship between AI, teaching, and critical thinking. From data privacy concerns to AI detectors that fail our students, this conversation gets real about what’s hype, what’s helpful, and what needs more scrutiny. Whether you're cautiously curious or deep in the AI trenches, this episode offers clarity, nuance, and practical insight from a seasoned voice.
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📌 Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome & Sponsor Shoutouts
02:00 – Meet Jen Manly: Her work, mission, and CS journey
04:30 – Teaching AI ethics before it was trendy
05:45 – The ChatGPT launch and why mass acceptance raised red flags
08:15 – AI “Fight Club” and the divide in EdTech reactions
11:30 – Is AI really saving time for teachers?
13:45 – Rubrics, productivity hacks, and the danger of using AI for everything
17:10 – Platform overpromises and pricing concerns
19:00 – Environmental cost of AI and hidden labor
22:00 – How AI systems encode and amplify bias
25:45 – AI grading? Why Jen draws the line
27:30 – Why AI detectors (like Turnitin) miss the mark
32:00 – Building assessments that don’t benefit from AI use
36:00 – The illusion of "just Google it" vs thoughtful search
37:00 – What real AI literacy looks like
39:30 – Age-appropriate and ethical integration of AI tools
42:00 – Tech ≠ Learning: The unplugged approach
44:00 – How to teach agency without tech overload
47:00 – Final thoughts, reminders, and calls for caution
49:00 – Jen’s “AI Kryptonite” and billboard message
51:00 – Wrap-up & CTA
🔗 Connect with Jen Manly:
🎥 TikTok: @strategicclassroom
🌐 Website: https://learningandteachingblog.com/
🎧 Catch more episodes and resources at:
🌍 www.myedtech.life
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