Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators

Jeff Utecht and Aaron Makelky discuss the integration of AI in education, focusing on how teachers can effectively leverage technology to enhance student learning. Aaron shares his journey as a high school social studies teacher and how he began using AI tools like ChatGPT in his classroom. They explore the importance of teaching AI literacy, the need for structured learning environments, and the challenges of ensuring equitable access to technology for all students. The conversation emphasizes the significance of prompt engineering and the various levels of AI integration in assignments, ultimately advocating for a more informed and adaptable approach to technology in education. In this conversation, Jeff Utecht and Aaron Makelky explore the evolving landscape of education, particularly focusing on the integration of AI and digital tools in learning environments. They discuss the historical context of search tools, the importance of teaching students to leverage technology effectively, and the need to redefine traditional notions of cheating in the context of AI. The conversation emphasizes the necessity for educators to adapt to new technologies and prepare students for a future where these tools are commonplace.   Aaron Makelky is a husband, father, teacher, tech enthusiast, and leader. Passionate about helping professionals learn AI skills. Over 15 years of instructional experience, simplifying complex topics and making learning approachable and enjoyable. Expertise as an AI Integration Consultant guiding individuals, schools, and law, and SMB through the evolving world of artificial intelligence. Focused on streamlining workflows, enhancing content creation, and building foundational understanding of AI. Committed to making technology accessible, human-centered, and effective for everyone. Content creator with a track record of engaging tens of millions through videos, blog posts, and social media content. Known for experimenting with new ways to connect and inspire others. (Thanks TikTok for the viral videos).   Connect with him: https://www.aaronmakelky.com/links   Huge thanks to our show sponsor: https://www.neulight.io/?utm_source=shiftingschool&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=fallsponsorship&utm_id=1  

Tricia Friedman discusses the upcoming Earth Day and introduces a free guide aimed at helping educators engage students in sustainability discussions. The SEED guide emphasizes the intersection of AI and sustainability, encouraging a comprehensive approach to environmental education. Additionally, Tricia highlights a student competition for designing a new logo for Shifting Schools, promoting creativity and collaboration among students. The conversation also touches on the Earth Species Project, which uses AI to understand interspecies communication, and the importance of considering the ethical implications of technology in our daily lives. Ready to download the free guide now? https://shiftingschools.lpages.co/seed-free-guide/ Ready to learn about the student design competition? https://www.shiftingschools.com/rebrand Discussed this week: Sustainability should be integrated across the curriculum. AI can help address environmental challenges. The Earth Species Project explores interspecies communication. Students should consider the ethics of AI use. Understanding technology's environmental impact is crucial. The guide includes resources for various engagement levels. Reader questions inspired the creation of the guide. Feedback from educators is encouraged for future resources. Connect with us: info (at) shiftingschools.com  

Nicki Hambleton, an expert in visual note-taking, shares her insights on how this engaging technique can enhance learning and listening skills. She emphasizes the fun factor in education and discusses overcoming hesitation in drawing. Visual notes not only clarify thoughts, particularly on complex subjects like AI, but also serve as a personal archive and foster deeper understanding. Nicki highlights the potential of visual note-taking as a meditative practice, along with its connections to wellness initiatives in educational settings.

In this very short bonus episode, we let you know that we have received a ton of mail about Netflix's new hit show Adolescence. In light of those requests we put together a brand new free guide to help you use this moment and that show's popularity for media literacy in both the classroom and the home. Ready for the free guide? https://shiftingschools.lpages.co/a-media-literacy-moment-with-adolescence-your-free-guide/ Do you have requests for other free guides? tricia(at)shiftingschools (dotcom)

Dr. Marc Santamaria, an ESL instructor and immigration attorney, dives into the transformative role of AI in education and law. He discusses how generative AI can revolutionize lesson planning, boost confidence in multilingual learners, and streamline legal research. The conversation emphasizes a mindset shift towards collaboration with AI, encouraging educators and lawyers to adapt to new technologies. Dr. Santamaria also highlights the potential for AI to enhance productivity and promote knowledge sharing in professional communities.

In this episode, Tricia Friedman discusses her exploration of AI's potential in enhancing conflict resolution skills. She shares insights from her research and the development of a conflict simulator bot designed to help users practice and improve their conflict navigation abilities. The conversation emphasizes the importance of feedback and collaboration in utilizing AI technology effectively. Learn more about  Moxie Consensus AI and try out the bot mentioned in the episode: https://chatgpt.com/g/g-67b5feb5a74c8191bb26074523bfc77a-conflict-simulator BIG IDEAS AI can assist in developing essential conflict resolution skills. The term 'soft skills' undermines the importance of these abilities. Conflict resolution is a critical skill in education. Research shows that rehearsals improve our conflict management. Dog play offers valuable lessons in conflict resolution. The conflict simulator bot allows for role-playing scenarios. Synthetic voices in AI can be surprisingly realistic. BIG thanks to our show sponsor: Neulight https://www.neulight.io/?utm_source=shiftingschool&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=fallsponsorship&utm_id=1  

This conversation explores the innovative virtual filmmaking program at Chad Lewis's school, highlighting the integration of technology, AI, and creative collaboration among students. The discussion emphasizes the importance of interdisciplinary learning and the empowerment of students to pursue their passions in a supportive environment. Takeaways The virtual filmmaking program started with a new film instructor's initiative. Students learn to use Unreal Engine for virtual production. The program emphasizes storytelling, lighting, and camera angles as foundational skills. AI is transforming media creation and accessibility for students. Collaboration between different departments enhances the learning experience. Students are encouraged to bring their ideas to faculty without fear of rejection. The school culture promotes creativity and innovation among both students and teachers. The accessibility of technology has lowered barriers for students to learn and create. The importance of media literacy in understanding and critiquing content. A focus on the vocabulary of educational goals helps guide technology integration. Chad Lewis has been the Director of Technology at Tampa Preparatory School in Tampa, Florida since August 2010. He oversees all facets of technology at the school, from network infrastructure and security to educational technology and training.  Learn more: https://tampaprep.org/about/innovative-spaces/ Learn more about our student logo challenge: https://www.shiftingschools.com/rebrand Big thanks to our special show sponsor, learn more about how Neulight can support your community! https://www.neulight.io/?utm_source=shiftingschool&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=fallsponsorship&utm_id=1  

In this episode, Tricia Friedman introduces the Neurodivergent Nexus Bot in anticipation of Neurodiversity Celebration Week. She discusses the importance of viewing neurodivergence as a strength and shares her experiences using AI for deeper research. The episode highlights the bot's capabilities and encourages listeners to engage with it during the celebration week, while also inviting feedback for future podcast topics. Ready to try it out? https://chatgpt.com/g/g-67c60bad02d081919d23e47e9da20e21-neurodivergent-nexus-bot Please take our summer podcast series survey: https://us10.list-manage.com/survey?u=27660f931231d00899b80a484&id=a23c5890fd&attribution=false We are so thanksful to our amazing show sponsor! https://www.neulight.io/?utm_source=shiftingschool&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=fallsponsorship&utm_id=1 Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Neurodiversity Celebration Week 03:02 Exploring the NeuroDivergent Nexus Bot 06:56 Engaging with AI for Neurodiversity 08:34 Feedback and Future Directions Takeaways Neurodiversity Celebration Week starts on March 17th. AI can enhance research depth, not just productivity.   Positioning neurodivergence as an asset is crucial.    

Rio Cortez, a New York Times bestselling author noted for her children's books, dives deep into the art of storytelling. She discusses the importance of slow reading, making complex themes like women's history accessible for young audiences. Rio highlights the joy of writing for children, emphasizing collaboration with illustrators to enrich narratives. The conversation also touches on fostering trust in readers and the role of creative connections in education, hinting at exciting future projects that promise to further explore diverse histories.

Tricia Friedman talks with Robert Landau, founder of Two Roads Education and an expert in strengths-based leadership. They discuss how integrating strengths assessments with AI can enhance team dynamics in education. Robert emphasizes the significance of empathy and individualized strengths in shaping effective collaboration. They explore the contrast between AI coaching and human interaction, highlighting the emotional depth lost in AI tools. Personal growth through understanding strengths and the evolution of these traits across generations is also a key theme.