Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators

In this episode, Jeff Utecht interviews Michelle Kassorla, an associate professor of English at Georgia State University, about using generative AI in higher education. They discuss the importance of teaching AI literacy, the role of AI in the writing process, and the benefits of using AI to support student learning. Michelle shares her insights on assessment, transparency, and the creative opportunities that AI provides for students. She also discusses the development of AI literacy standards for higher education and offers practical tips for integrating AI into the classroom. Michelle Kassorla, Ph.D., an Associate Professor at Georgia State University, Perimeter College, has more than 30 years of experience teaching English and Composition. She teaches With and Against AI in Composition I and II courses, integrating AI into all assignments this academic year. She's on the AI Expert Panel for EDUCAUSE, leading the AI Literacy committee for Higher Education. A recipient of a Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Online Education fellowship, she published "Teaching with GAI in Mind" in the EDUCAUSE Review and co-authors a textbook and papers with Eugenia Novokshanova. She's a Co-Principal Investigator in the "Perceptions of AI" study at GSU. She shares her insights on LinkedIn and her blog, "The Academic Platypus." As a mother of eight boys, she's continually inspired to excel. Connect with our guest: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mkassorla/ Takeaways Teaching AI literacy is crucial in higher education to help students understand the limitations and biases of AI models. AI can be used to support the writing process by providing feedback on grammar and punctuation, generating topic ideas, and assisting with research. Assessment should focus on voice, tone, audience, transparency, and accuracy rather than traditional grammar and punctuation. AI can free up time for teachers to focus on higher-order thinking skills and creative aspects of writing. Developing AI literacy standards for higher education can help guide educators in teaching AI effectively. Thank you to our amazing show sponsor! Lebra https://www.lebrahq.com/  

Dayamudra Dennehy, a tenured ESL community college faculty with a focus on ethical AI integration in education, delves into the crucial role of student voices in discussions about generative AI. She shares her innovative project where students create AI manifestos to explore ethical considerations. Dayamudra emphasizes the importance of educators adopting a growth mindset and collaborating in the responsible use of technology. Her expansive background in various educational contexts enriches the conversation about creating inclusive AI practices in classrooms.

In this engaging conversation, Amy Oswalt, a dedicated educator and founder of Conduit, shares her insights on scenario-based learning and its transformative potential in neurodiverse education. She discusses how creative thinking and AI can alleviate anxiety and enhance personalized learning. Amy emphasizes the importance of collaboration between educators and families to foster emotional growth. With a focus on customizing assistive technologies, she advocates for a future where all students can explore diverse possibilities and thrive.

Dr. Min Sun, a professor at the University of Washington, shares insights on how AI can revolutionize education through her work at AmplifyLearn.ai. She discusses Colleague.ai, a specialized AI assistant that simplifies tasks for K-12 educators, enhancing efficiency in lesson planning and grading. Min emphasizes the need for thoughtful AI design to improve education quality and equity, envisioning a future where AI fosters personalized learning and collaboration, ultimately transforming teaching practices and reducing teacher burnout.

Dr. Laura Dumin obtained her PhD in English from Oklahoma State University in 2010. She is a professor in English and Technical Writing at the University of Central Oklahoma who has been exploring the impact of generative AI on writing classrooms. Laura has been experimenting with transformative learning (TL) tools and scholarship of teaching and learning methods (SoTL) in the classroom for over 7 years. She finds that when students are engaged in the lessons, learning can happen organically, leading to more interesting class periods and longer-term gains in understanding concepts.   Laura mixes her background in technical writing into all her courses, bringing ideas of audience and clear communication into assignments. When she is not teaching, she works as a co-managing editor for the Journal of Transformative Learning, was a campus SoTL mentor, and directs the Technical Writing BA and advises the Composition and Rhetoric MA program. She runs a Facebook learning community to allow instructors to learn from each other. https://www.facebook.com/groups/632930835501841 Big bold ideas explored this week:   Allowing students to use AI in their rough drafts and final drafts of papers can be a valuable learning experience. Reflecting on the effectiveness of AI tools and using the right tool for the job is crucial. Preserving individuality and voice in writing is important in the age of AI. Having conversations with students about AI, including discussions on bias and prompt engineering, is essential. AI can enhance accessibility in education and make learning more inclusive. Connect with our guest: www.linkedin.com/in/laura-dumin157  ldumin157.com  https://www.facebook.com/groups/632930835501841   Thank you to our show sponsor Lebra learn more:  https://www.lebrahq.com/  

Explore the transformative power of AI in higher education and its potential to personalize learning experiences. Discover how AI is reshaping student life, from mental health support to enhanced campus services. Engage with critical questions surrounding AI integration and its role in redefining the educational landscape. Learn about innovative strategies that improve student engagement and streamline processes, as well as unique use cases from institutions leading the way in AI implementation.

  💡 On our power of play series this week we talk with  Hayes Greenfield is founder of Creative Sound Play (CSP), a sound-based, generative learning system for Pre-K, as well as an award-winning jazz musician, notable film composer, and innovative educator. His book, Creative Sound Play for Young Learners (Routledge, Eye on Education Series, 2024), invites educators to use sound-making as collaborative educational play. Hayes began working as a teaching artist in public and private K-12 schools. He created and implemented curricula for K-12 students, and professional development workshops for special needs District 75 teachers in New York City. Notably, he created a Pre-K program for PNC Bank’s “Grow Up Great Initiative,” devoted five years to codifying CSP at the Lenox Hill Early Childhood Center’s Head Start program, and consulted at Bank Street Head Start. Founder and lead educator for CSP, Hayes guides Pre-K teachers in his sound-based pedagogy and offers in-person and remote coaching sessions to accompany his self-paced video curriculum. An exceptional speaker Hayes has presented at the NAEYC, NHSA, A Joyous Celebration of Ideas, the Next Wave Center for Artistry and Scholarship, and other conferences. A jazz musician, Hayes is proud to be endorsed by Yamaha, Vandoren, and Eventide. He has released 10 critically acclaimed CDs including two award-winning family CD’s Jazz-A-Ma-Tazz and Music for a Green Planet, and has performed at festivals and venues throughout the US, Canada, and Europe. Hayes’ Jazz-A-Ma-Tazz school assembly program has reached over 300,000 young people and his music has been wonderfully received and reviewed in The New York Times, The New Yorker, Wall Street Journal, Billboard, Child Magazine, Downbeat, Jazz Times and more. As film composer, Hayes has scored more than 70 films, documentaries, commercials, animations, and TV specials.   🎙️Connect with our guest  https://www.creativesoundplay.com/ https://www.hayesgreenfield.com/ https://www.instagram.com/creativesoundplay/ https://www.facebook.com/thehayesgreenfield https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiC0eCONgJfJSXJGO6fALsA   Want to take this episode further and map out your personal plans for having a playful summer? 🏖️ Explore our six-part planner, download it free : https://shiftingschools.lpages.co/power-of-play/ 👏🏻Thank you to our incredible sponsors for supporting this series: MackinVision: https://home.mackin.com/mackinvision/ Lebra: https://www.lebrahq.com/ 📨Tell us about your thoughts on this episode:   info@shiftingschools.com  

Our guest this week is an expert with AR, VR, and XR. Meet Jeannine Charles who is committed to crafting immersive experiences that transcend the boundaries of reality.    Jeannine’s journey began with a solid foundation in Industrial Design, which provided her with a holistic understanding of form, function, and user experience. Fuelled by curiosity and a desire to explore new horizons, she has always been drawn to the intersection of technology and creativity. Her passion for visual storytelling led her to pursue a career in photography, which then led to the fields of film, narrative, mixed-media and virtual reality.    Jeannine pivoted and began her career in the tech space, exploring the possibilities of extended reality (XR) and how to catalyze the growth of media production in the immersive media landscape. This led her to the co-creation of her first VR prototype and the foundation of her XR production company, where she provides XR/AR/VR marketing solutions for mid-sized businesses.   Whether designing captivating virtual environments, interactive simulations, or innovative user interfaces, Jeannine strives to create experiences that captivate the imagination and push the boundaries of possibility. __________   Connect with our guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcharlesaamxr/?originalSubdomain=ca   Want to take this episode further and map out your personal plans for having a playful summer? 🏖️ Explore our six-part planner, download it free : https://shiftingschools.lpages.co/power-of-play/ 👏🏻Thank you to our incredible sponsors for supporting this series: MackinVision: https://home.mackin.com/mackinvision/ Lebra: https://www.lebrahq.com/ 📨Tell us about your thoughts on this episode:   info@shiftingschools.com  

play:ground NYC is an organization that focuses on the rights of children and creating affirming spaces for play. They believe that young people should be given authority, autonomy, and respect, and that society often mistreats and oppresses children. The organization promotes sustainability by using recycled materials and repurposing junk for play. They emphasize the importance of people and allocate most of their budget to paying staff. Playground NYC offers play residencies and pop-up spaces for play, providing opportunities for children to lead their own learning and enjoyment. The organization trains play workers and aims to shift parenting approaches to allow for more play and risk-taking. Parents have noticed increased confidence and empowerment in their children as a result of their experiences at this special space. Ready to learn more? https://www.play-ground.nyc/ Our guest this week: Yoni Kallai, the interim executive director, Head playworker and Co founder of play:groundNYC is dedicated to repairing the world in various ways. Working for young people's rights through promoting and supporting play, is his favorite. Connect with Yoni: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anahita-shadkam-636ba944/ Want to take this episode further and map out your personal plans for having a playful summer? 🏖️ Explore our six-part planner, download it free : https://shiftingschools.lpages.co/power-of-play/ 👏🏻Thank you to our incredible sponsors for supporting this series: MackinVision: https://home.mackin.com/mackinvision/ Lebra: https://www.lebrahq.com/ 📨Tell us about your thoughts on this episode:   info@shiftingschools.com  

Dr. Julie Jones discusses the power of play and challenges the myth that play is separate from learning. She emphasizes that play is not the opposite of work, but rather the opposite of depression. A playful classroom integrates cognition, movement, and emotion, and focuses on student choice and engagement. Dr. Jones suggests that teachers explore their own play personalities and incorporate play into their classrooms. She also encourages adults to make play more accessible in their own lives through small, playful activities throughout the day. In this conversation, Dr. Julie Jones discusses the importance of play in our lives and how it can be incorporated into our day-to-day routines. She introduces the concept of play personalities, which are different ways in which individuals engage in play. The eight play personalities are Explorer, Director, Joker, Competitor, Kinesthete, Creator, Storyteller, and Collector. Dr. Jones emphasizes the need for educators to provide playful opportunities for students and highlights the impact of play on creativity, empathy, and overall well-being. Dr. Julie Jones is an associate professor in Converse University’s Department of Behavior and Social Sciences. She maintains an active research agenda with interests ranging from urban planning to curriculum and pedagogy, always with a mix of creativity and play. She published her first book,The Playful Classroom in June 2020. Her second book, The Playful Life, was published in October 2022. Follow her on social media @JuliePJones_author, and view her full curriculum vitae at www.juliepjones.com.   Want to take this episode further and map out your personal plans for having a playful summer? 🏖️ Explore our six-part planner, download it free : https://shiftingschools.lpages.co/power-of-play/ 👏🏻Thank you to our incredible sponsors for supporting this series: MackinVision: https://home.mackin.com/mackinvision/ Lebra: https://www.lebrahq.com/ 📨Tell us about your thoughts on this episode:   info@shiftingschools.com