Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators

Jeff and Tricia talk about the importance of curiosity as we continue to consider new tools like Chat GPT and generative AI. They explore what it might mean to think about generative AI as it intersects with information literacy and media literacy. Patrick Holt (Dean of Learning at XCL World Academy) kindly shares what's being discussed at his school and how curiosity is being amplified in the classrooms and hallways. He takes us on a mini journey explaining what his journey with AI has been. As always listeners are welcome to share their thoughts with us by sending a voice memo to the co-hosts via the SpeakPipe button on our home page at www.shiftingschools.com or by emailing us at info (at) shiftingschools.com This episode also discusses what it will mean to center equity in our conversations about generative AI. Learn more about ways to expand your learning on AI and take advantage of our special pre-sale discount: click here. We hope this episode helps you get curious about what Chat GPT might mean for your community's learning.  

This episode debunks a few misconceptions about Maker education and design projects. We have help with the debunking from Lindsey Simmons, an educator who has partnered with Mackin Maker, who have been a phenomenal sponsor of this show. Our conversation goes on to explore ways we can use the design cycle in many different ways and how understanding that cycle can set us up for all types of projects in our personal lives. Lindsey also helps us think about sustainability and the intersection of literacy and MakerED. Learn all about Lindsey Simmons here. And follow her on social media here. --------- Have you heard about our pre-sale offer on now? Click here to learn more about our pathways for educators looking to leverage the power of Chat GPT and other Generative AI tools. Reach out to us at info (at) shiftingschools.com to learn more -- For the rest of the links mentioned in this episode: Key Strategies for Maker Education (click here) via Mackin Maker Three myths of making (click here) via Mackin Maker Creating connections to the environment through making (click here) via Mackin Maker - Would you like to send us a message sharing your thoughts about this episode? Find our SpeakPipe button at www.shiftingschools.com

Jeff and Tricia talk about Chat GPT and other generative AI tools. The big question in this episode is: How might you use Chat GPT as a thought partner this year? We asked Chat GPT to help us out with the intro for this show, to tell us more about what misconceptions there are about Chat GPT. What did it tell us?   "ChatGPT is sentient or conscious: ChatGPT is a machine learning model, it does not have consciousness or self-awareness. It can only respond based on the patterns it has learned from the data it was trained on. ChatGPT is always correct: ChatGPT is a powerful tool, but it is not infallible. It may make mistakes or produce nonsensical responses if it is given input that it has not been trained on or if the input is ambiguous. ChatGPT can write any kind of text: ChatGPT is a language model, it can generate text based on patterns it has learned from the data it was trained on. However, its performance may vary depending on the specific task or genre of text. For example, it may not perform as well on poetry or creative writing as it would on news articles." Jeff and Tricia also have a special offer for listeners: a big discount on the new 5-Day Generative AI Challenge. How might that challenge bring you a community-building learning experience? Learn more about all of our AI support here. We also have a special free guide to help your team learn more about tools like Chat GPT, click here to download it. Do you want to share your thoughts about how generative AI tools will intersect with learning this year? Send us a voice memo, using the SpeakPipe button on our homepage: www.shiftingschools.com Also discussed on this episode: A collection of AI tools to experiment with: https://theresanaiforthat.com/ Chat GPT for you and me via Wired: click here. Learn more about ways to learn with Shifting Schools this year by exploring our full line up of professional learning pathways for K-12 educators by clicking here.

How do you build a network of learners and how does that network in turn shape you as a learner? On the podcast this week, Drea Weiner answers that question (and many others). This conversation is supported by our amazing sponsors: Stem Sports and MackinMaker At the heart of this conversation, we think about how we can cultivate the mindsets that promote STEM-based inquiry and set students up to be leaders in MakerEd. Drea reminds us that STEM learning intersects our entire curriculum and invites interdisciplinary learning and community connections. Let's learn more about our guest: Drea Weiner is the MiSTEM Network Regional Director for the Northwestern Lower MiSTEM Network region. She provides professional learning, support, community connections to education, grant writing guidance, and resources to educators in order to bring the best possible STEM education to students. Drea is one of the founders of Newton's Road 3D, a STEM professional learning community for teachers wanting to give their students the opportunity to learn soft skills like critical thinking and problem solving through 21st century technology. Follow Drea on Social Media: On Twitter On LinkedIN Learn all about the MiSTEM Network here Mentioned on this episode: 400,000 fabrication works short by 2024 Do you want to weigh in on this episode? Have questions for our hosts? Send us a voice memo! You can find it on our homepage at www.shiftingschools.com Click here to explore our HUGE library of free guides for K-12 Educators Learn more about the STEM book series mentioned and email us to win a free book! Click here Email us info (at) shiftingschools (dot com)

In this episode, Tricia and Jeff are talking about our relationships with social media, misinformation, disinformation and the role schools must play when leading for media literacy. This conversation was inspired by this recent article in the New York Times by Jenny Gross. Our guests talk about the influence technology has on learners of all ages. The look at what it might mean to help students build habits that ensure they come to their social media with curiosity and a desire to check for bias and become savvy consumers of information. They go on to mention that NPR has launched its annual student podcat competition. Jeff and Tricia offer listeners a special offer on two of the professional development options. Looking to build media literacy routines with learners of all ages? Check out our free guide today. Reach out to the hosts via info (at) shiftingschools (dot) (com) Other resources discussed: Canva image AI https://www.canva.com/features/ai-image-generator/   Open AI image creator https://openai.com/ 

Thanks to our special sponsors for their support of our show. Learn more by heading to StemSports.com and MackinMacker.com today.  On this week Jeff and Tricia talk to Sevile Mannickarottu: Director of Penn's Bioengineering Educational Lab & Bio-MakerSpace-the only Bio-Maker Space in the world. They talk about what it means to create an archive and a legacy of learning. Sevile also shares ways educators can get started in creating a Makerspace. You can learn all about Sevile's work here. Check out the introductory video to the lab here. Also discussed in this episode is Backyard Brains, learn more here. Learn more about ways to learn with Shifting Schools at www.shiftingschools.com Do you want to connect with our hosts? Email info (at) shiftingschools (dot) (com)  

Are you looking to take on a new challenge of leading learning at an upcoming conference? Would you like to refine the way you approach delivering professional development at your school? This episode is all about our recommendations for approaching the application process, as well as communicating what your session is all about with peers. The full guidance is available for you to download free, click here for more. This conversation came to be because a value podcast listener (like you!) reached out for advice after hearing us remind folks that Learning2 Asia is open for applications now until January 23rd. You can learn more about that opportunity here. Have a question you'd like to see Jeff and Tricia take on? Reach them at info (at) shiftingschools (dot com)

Sponsors Thank you to our sponsors for this mini-series on STEM and MakerSpace. Check out both StemSports.com and MackinMacker.com today. Find all the offers from all our sponsors at https://www.shiftingschools.com/offers Episode On this episode, we explore the joy of tinkering, the social-emotional case for making, and we question the benefits of cultivating a beginner's mindset. Whether you are an experienced teacher of MakerEd or you've never thought of yourself as a 'maker' this episode is for you. Our special guest on the show is Mike Bycraft. Mike Bycraft is an international educator who specializes in design, robotics, engineering, and makerspaces. He is the head of design and innovation at Korea International School. Prior to moving internationally, Mike taught AP and IB sciences in the United States, in Clark County School District. Mike has created design programs, makerspaces, and robotics curriculum for K-12 students. In 2021 his project of redesigning a controller was featured on the Makey Makey blog Learn more about his work in this video and through his website. You can connect with Mike on Twitter here. Pair this with one of our free resources Looking to partner with parents and caretakers when it comes to STEM learning? Get our free guide here. Explore over 60 free guides available from our website today.  

Few educators would disagree with the idea that feedback is crucial for meaningful learning. So how can we support one another in striving for better feedback processes? As students move towards the process of setting goals for a new year, what are some of the conversations we need to prioritize in order to scaffold that planning? In this special bonus episode, we hear from educator Madalena Elshoff as she walks us through the way she leveraged on of our Shifting Schools free guides in order to reimagine feedback, goal setting, and classroom culture. Specifically we talk about the free guide "Learner Focused Goal Setting." Did you know our free resource library has over 60 free guides for educators to choose from? Visit our library here. Is there a resource you would like to see us work on for your school this year? Email Jeff and Tricia at info (at) shiftingschools (dot com) today! Members of our free newsletter community receive weekly updates on the latest free guide as well as additional resouces and ideas for the classroom. You can sign up for our newsletter here.

A new year is a time when many of us start thinking about new goals, and new habits we want to cultivate. And yet, how many of us have had the time and the opportunity to dig into the research on habit formation? On this episode, Jeff and Tricia talk to Wendy Wood about her phenomenal book Good Habits, Bad Habits. This episode puts a spotlight on some of the research and insight included in that book. Wendy Wood, explains why we have some misguided ideas about how habits are cultivated. Our conversation is a timely reminder of the importance and significance our learning environments have for learners of all ages. We hope this conversation inspires you to spark better, more meaningful conversations about habits and the role they play in your learning organization. Ready to learn more about the guest on this week's episode? Wendy Wood is a UK-born psychologist who is the Provost Professor of Psychology and Business at University of Southern California, where she has been a faculty member since 2009. She previously served as vice dean of social sciences at the Dornsife College of the University of Southern California. Her primary research contributions are in habits and behavior change along with the psychology of gender. She is the author of the popular science book, Good Habits, Bad Habits, released in October 2019. This book was featured in the Next Big Idea Club and was reviewed in the New Yorker. Ready to learn more about the conference mentioned in this episode? Click here for more about applying to present at Learning2 in 2023.