Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators

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.

Generational differences are crucial for educators and leaders to understand. Each generation's unique experiences shape their behaviors and expectations, especially regarding technology and social media. The podcast dives into how parenting styles have evolved, discussing the balance between independence and oversight. It emphasizes the importance of teaching responsible social media use while adapting educational strategies for today's digital landscape. The conversation also highlights the need for media literacy and understanding among different age groups.

In this discussion, Eric Bowles, co-host of the Outliers in Education podcast, dives into the transformative role of AI in schools. He highlights the balance between fear and excitement surrounding tools like ChatGPT-4. Bowles emphasizes the importance of preparing students for an AI-driven future rather than clinging to outdated methods. He shares strategies for educators to handle challenges like student cheating and advocates for clear assessment expectations. This conversation urges educators to evolve alongside technology to better serve their students.

Links:  Three ways to leverage the big game (free pdf download) Sponsor: Neulight and their MTSS AI product IntelliTier Summary In this episode of Shifting Schools, Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman discuss the intersection of the Super Bowl and media literacy. They explore how educators can leverage the Super Bowl's advertising to teach students about media literacy, storytelling, and critical thinking. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding advertising intentions, engaging families in discussions about media, and the role of AI in advertising. They also announce an upcoming webinar series focused on AI and media literacy, encouraging listeners to download a free guide for educators. Takeaways The Super Bowl is a prime opportunity for media literacy education. Every ad during the Super Bowl is carefully crafted with intentional choices. Engaging families in discussions about advertising can enhance media literacy. Storyboarding helps students understand the creative process behind ads. AI literacy is closely linked to media literacy in today's digital landscape. Educators can use past Super Bowl ads for comparative analysis. Understanding audience assumptions is key to analyzing advertisements. The social aspect of the Super Bowl can facilitate discussions about media. Students should learn to critically evaluate the messages in ads. The future of advertising may increasingly involve AI technology. Chapters 00:00 Super Bowl Predictions and Media Literacy 02:58 Understanding Advertising Intentions 05:55 Engaging Families in Media Literacy 09:01 Storyboarding and Creative Thinking 12:09 AI and Media Literacy Connection 15:00 Future of Advertising and AI

Marcela Andrés, President and CEO of Designed Engagement and author of Purposeful Educator Connections, dives into the transformative role educators play in students' lives. She discusses the need for building strong, meaningful relationships that transcend academic compliance. Highlighting the importance of community, Marcela shares how understanding individual contexts enhances classroom culture. She advocates for compassionate teaching and reveals that investing in human connections leads to long-term success for both students and educators.

Danny Glasner, a seasoned teacher-librarian with international experience, Heeru Bhojwani, a veteran librarian focused on promoting literacy, and Zakir Hossain, an independent researcher passionate about AI literacy, explore librarians' pivotal roles in the age of artificial intelligence. They discuss libraries as collaborative hubs for enhancing AI literacy and emphasize the necessity of integrating ethical considerations into education. Through literature, they share tools for deeper conversations about AI, and highlight initiatives to empower librarians in navigating this digital landscape.

This week’s guest is Pepper Stetler, a Professor of Art History at Miami University and a thoughtful advocate for people with intellectual disabilities. She dives into her new book, exploring the complex implications of IQ tests in education. The conversation critiques traditional narratives around Down syndrome and stresses the importance of inclusive education. Stetler emphasizes the need for a compassionate approach that prioritizes individual learning over standardized assessments, especially in an increasingly tech-driven world.

In a thought-provoking conversation, Tricia Friedman, an educational innovator, joins Dr. Kimberly Becker, host of "Women Talkin' 'Bout AI." They explore the urgent need for AI literacy in K-12 education and innovative assessment methods in the age of generative AI. They discuss how technology can enhance human connections and creativity, alongside the challenges teachers face with tech integration. Tricia shares insights on futures literacy and AI's potential, encouraging a blend of emotional intelligence with technological advancements.

In this conversation, Tricia and Joel Birch explore the transformative power of Lego Serious Play as a facilitation method. Joel shares his background in music and comedy, discussing how these experiences inform his approach to facilitating workshops. They get into the importance of play in communication, the dynamics of team interactions, and the unique benefits of virtual facilitation. The discussion highlights the role of a facilitator in creating a safe space for expression and the similarities and differences between K-12 education and corporate environments. Joel emphasizes the need for skilled facilitators to guide participants through the process, ensuring that everyone has a voice and can contribute meaningfully to the conversation. In this conversation, Joel Birch discusses his journey into facilitation, emphasizing the importance of inquiry learning and collaboration in education. He shares insights on engaging parents and caregivers, the role of play in building relationships, and innovative techniques for strategic planning and interviews in schools. The discussion highlights the need for creativity in educational practices and the value of creating low-stakes environments for meaningful conversations. ➡️ Ready to connect with Joel?  https://joelbir.ch/   🖍️ Learn more about Crayola Creativity Week!  https://creativity-week.squarespace.com/   👏🏻 Thank you to our show sponsor  https://www.neulight.io/?utm_source=shiftingschool&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=fallsponsorship&utm_id=1   Take-Aways from this episode: Collaboration in education can alleviate change fatigue. Play is essential for learning and relationship building. Engaging parents in the educational process is crucial. Facilitation can help capture diverse ideas in a community. Innovative interview techniques can reveal true candidate potential. Creating low-stakes environments fosters open communication. Using physical objects can facilitate deeper conversations.