
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Jam-packed with cool classrooms, cool apps, and cool teaching ideas, full-time teacher and award-winning edtech influencer, Vicki Davis, who blogs as the Cool Cat Teacher Blog, loves to interview awesome teachers and educators from around the world on this teacher podcast. Her goal is to interview the most in-classroom teachers on one helpful teacher podcast. This encouraging show will give you quick ideas you can use right away. You can follow Vicki @coolcatteacher on all social media and join the conversation.
Latest episodes

Sep 4, 2023 • 11min
Project-based Learning with A.I. and Improving Friendships
Project based learning can be enhanced using AI tools in this unique way that has students do comparative tasks as they compare their work and that done by ChatGPT. In this episode, we dive deep into the transformative world of project-based learning! Our special guest, Or-Tal Kiriati from Tel Aviv, Israel, shares her innovative approach to integrating artificial intelligence and human experiences into multidisciplinary projects. From exploring the duality of human nature through literature (and a super amazing way to teach Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) to teaching friendship skills in a digital age, Or-Tal's projects offer a fresh perspective on education. Learn from her techniques in her language arts classroom to see how you can engage your students, encourage critical thinking, and make learning an adventure! Show transcript, notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/815 Show Sponsor: Are you looking for engaging NGSS-aligned science lessons designed to improve critical thinking in your middle school students? Now is the time to sign up for Research Quest from the Natural History Museum of Utah. Designed by teachers for teachers these online investigations are lead by museum scientists and use the museum’s incredible collections to create engaging learning experiences that are fun for your students and easy to implement! Check them out now! Hosts, Guests & Featured People: Or-Tal Kiriati Vicki Davis Resources: Research Quest - amazing PBL resource for middle school students aligned to NGSS standards - show sponsor Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson Leonardo da Vinci's Portrait of a Man in Red Chalk Show Highlights: Introduction (00:00:00:02 - 00:00:08:05) Sponsor and Guest Introduction (00:00:08:10 - 00:00:39:16) Vicki introduces the episode's sponsor, Research Quest, and the guest, Or-Tal Kiriati, who is from Tel Aviv, Israel. Merging Humanity and A.I. in Projects (00:00:39:18 - 00:00:58:06) Vicki discusses her interest in Or-Tal's projects that combine elements of human experience with artificial intelligence. Or-Tal's Approach to A.I. in Education (00:00:58:08 - 00:01:30:08) Or-Tal explains how she started integrating artificial intelligence into her educational projects based on student interest. Additional Resources and New Video Feature (00:01:30:10 - 00:01:56:09) Vicki mentions the slideshow provided by Or-Tal and introduces a new video feature for the podcast. Listener Feedback and First Project Introduction (00:01:56:09 - 00:02:18:17) Vicki talks about the podcast's new format and asks about Or-Tal's first project about masks. The Duality in Me Project (00:02:18:17 - 00:02:55:12) Or-Tal describes her project, "The Duality in Me," which is designed to teach the literature of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Student Engagement and Questions (00:02:55:14 - 00:03:35:11) Or-Tal shares how she engages students by encouraging them to ask questions related to the project's main theme. Project Phases and Activities (00:03:35:13 - 00:05:58:01) Or-Tal outlines the various phases of her project, including group formation and activities like analyzing art. Student Reactions and Comparisons (00:06:03:12 - 00:06:35:03) Vicki and Or-Tal discuss student reactions to the project and how they compared their own work to the book Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Examples and Student Work (00:06:35:03 - 00:07:33:07) Or-Tal provides examples of student work, including their interactions with an A.I. tool named ChatGPT. Second Project: Friendship (00:07:33:07 - 00:08:46:02) Or-Tal introduces her second project focused on the theme of friendship, explaining its multidisciplinary approach. Closing Thoughts (00:09:08:12 - 00:10:18:18) Sponsor Message and Conclusion (00:10:18:18 - 00:10:58:08) Vicki revisits the episode's sponsor, Research Quest, and provides information on accessing their resources. John closes the podcast.

Aug 28, 2023 • 13min
How to Use Data Driven Instruction in the Classroom
Today we'll dive deep into the transformative power of data analytics for your classroom! Think data is just for statisticians or administrators? Think again! Today, we're joined by Victoria Setaro, an expert in making data analytics approachable and actionable for everyday teachers like you. We'll explore how you can harness the power of both 'cold' and 'warm' data to not only understand your students better but also to significantly improve their performance. From tackling chronic absenteeism to boosting math proficiency rates, data-driven instruction is a game-changer. So if you want to elevate your teaching and empower your students, this episode is a must-listen. Stay tuned! Transcript and Show Notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e814 Show Sponsor EVERFI Want to prepare your students for career and life success but short on time? Busy teachers use EVERFI’s standards-aligned, research-based digital lessons, recently awarded with the ISTE Seal for high-quality curriculum, to teach students to thrive in an ever-changing world. Interactive, game-based lessons designed by experienced educators help you engage students at all grade levels and bring critical real-world skills like financial education, early literacy, character education, health & wellness, and more to your classroom. Thanks to partners, these lessons are FREE for all K-12 schools and students. With back-to-school season gearing up, now is an exciting time to give your students a jumpstart on their future. Go to everfi.com/coolcat to learn more and sign up to get a virtual swag bag full of free goodies to get the school year off to a great start. Hosts, Guests & Featured People: Victoria Setaro @victoria_Setaro Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher Resources: Meeting Wise: Making the Most of Collaborative Time for Educators from Harvard University News: Washington Post: OPINION: A surge of absentee students might require a radical rethink of schools Key Segments in this Podcast Key Moments from the Podcast Transcript Introduction 00:00:00:02 - 00:00:03:12: John Davis introduces the 10 Minutes Teacher podcast with host Vicki Davis. Sponsor Message 00:00:03:12 - 00:00:25:19: Vicki Davis talks about the sponsor EVERFI, which offers interactive and free digital lessons for educators. Guest Introduction 00:00:25:21 - 00:00:49:23: Vicki Davis introduces Victoria Setaro, who is known for making data analytics approachable for everyday teachers. Importance of Data in Education 00:00:50:00 - 00:01:00:13: Vicki Davis emphasizes the importance of data analytics in making classrooms more effective. Victoria's Perspective on Data Analytics 00:01:03:17 - 00:02:22:00: Victoria Setaro discusses how data analytics can help teachers understand their students better and invites educators to take control of the data they have. Chronic Absenteeism 00:02:33:11 - 00:03:07:21: Vicki Davis and Victoria discuss the issue of chronic absenteeism and its data implications. Cold Data vs. Warm Data 00:03:30:15 - 00:04:04:22: Victoria explains the difference between "cold data" and "warm data," emphasizing the importance of understanding the underlying causes behind data points. Implementing Data Analytics in Schools 00:04:54:10 - 00:05:56:17: Vicki and Victoria discuss the challenges and considerations when introducing data analytics in schools, including the need for time and commitment. Privacy Concerns 00:07:16:09 - 00:07:53:19: The conversation shifts to the ethical considerations of using data analytics, particularly concerning student privacy. Success Story 00:08:36:05 - 00:10:57:05: Victoria shares a success story where data analytics led to a significant improvement in math proficiency rates in a school district. Closing Remarks 00:11:18:04 - 00:11:58:12: Vicki Davis thanks Victoria for her insights and emphasizes the importance of data analytics in education. Sponsor Message 00:11:58:14 - 00:12:31:15: Vicki Davis again mentions EVERFI and encourages teachers to sign up for their free lessons. Outro 00:12:31:19 - 00:12:44:06: John Davis closes the podcast and provides information on where to find more content from Vicki Davis. Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Aug 21, 2023 • 10min
Genius Hour 2.0 with Lauren Lavelle
In this episode of the 10 Minute Teacher podcast, host Vicki Davis sits down with Lauren Lavelle to discuss the transformative educational approach known as Genius Hour. Recorded live at ISTE, the conversation delves into how Genius Hour has been revamped and integrated into the sixth-grade curriculum, offering students a full-year exploratory course that goes beyond traditional learning. Vicki and Lauren also touch on the importance of generational connectedness in education, emphasizing how mentors and older students can offer invaluable perspectives. Additionally, the episode explores the role of blogging in the Genius Hour process, serving as a tool for reflection and continuous improvement. Full transcript and show notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e813 Show Sponsor EVERFI Want to prepare your students for career and life success but short on time? Busy teachers use EVERFI’s standards-aligned, research-based digital lessons, recently awarded with the ISTE Seal for high-quality curriculum, to teach students to thrive in an ever-changing world. Interactive, game-based lessons designed by experienced educators help you engage students at all grade levels and bring critical real-world skills like financial education, early literacy, character education, health & wellness, and more to your classroom. Thanks to partners, these lessons are FREE for all K-12 schools and students. With back-to-school season gearing up, now is an exciting time to give your students a jumpstart on their future. Go to everfi.com/coolcat to learn more and sign up to get a virtual swag bag full of free goodies to get the school year off to a great start. Key Segments in this Podcast Introduction to Genius Hour 2.0 Timestamp: 00:00:44:20 - 00:01:08:15 Description: Lauren Lavelle talks about the next iteration of Genius Hour, called Genius Hour 2.0, and how it's integrated into the sixth-grade curriculum. The Importance of Generational Connectedness Timestamp: 00:02:55:25 - 00:03:21:17 Description: Vicki Davis discusses the concept of generational connectedness and how it's important for students to see that they're part of a bigger world. Blogging as a Reflective Process Timestamp: 00:03:57:44 - 00:04:16:57 Description: Lauren explains that students are blogging throughout the Genius Hour process, focusing on reflection and continuous improvement. Real-world Genius Hour Projects Timestamp: 00:08:05:02 - 00:08:36:38 Description: Lauren shares an example of a student who created a pedaling system under his desk that also charges his Chromebook, exemplifying the real-world application of Genius Hour projects. Hosts, Guests & Featured People: Lauren Lavelle @MrsLavelle Michael Davola @Mrdavolatech Jesse Lubinsky @jlubinsky Resources: Flattening Classrooms, Engaging Minds by Julie Lindsay and Vicki Davis Google Sites - the student blog platform Google Forms - how students secure feedback from each other "Yes and" protocol with lesson plan and handout Google slides - how to automatically add transitions News: Why You Should Give a Lightning Presentation Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Aug 19, 2023 • 11min
AI in VR and AR with Rachelle Dené Poth
How are augmented reality and virtual reality merging with artificial intelligence? What does it mean for the classroom? In this show, AR/VR guru Rachelle Dené Poth delves deep into the transformative potential of Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the classroom. Fresh from her appearance on the ISTE mainstage, Rachell highlights the surging interest in immersive and emerging technologies. She encourages teachers to shift their mindset from apprehension to curiosity and eagerness to learn something new. As the landscape of education technology rapidly changes, Rachelle shares some ideas of what the future of classroom learning could look like. Listen to this Spanish teacher talk about using these awesome tools in her classroom and in classrooms around the world. Full transcript and show notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e812 Show Sponsor EVERFI Want to prepare your students for career and life success but short on time? Busy teachers use EVERFI’s standards-aligned, research-based digital lessons, recently awarded with the ISTE Seal for high-quality curriculum, to teach students to thrive in an ever-changing world. Interactive, game-based lessons designed by experienced educators help you engage students at all grade levels and bring critical real-world skills like financial education, early literacy, character education, health & wellness, and more to your classroom. Thanks to partners, these lessons are FREE for all K-12 schools and students. With back-to-school season gearing up, now is an exciting time to give your students a jumpstart on their future. Go to everfi.com/coolcat to learn more and sign up to get a virtual swag bag full of free goodies to get the school year off to a great start. Key Segments Introduction and Rachelle's Credentials [00:02.028 - 00:27.876] Vicki Davis introduces Rachelle Dené Poth, highlighting her expertise in AR, VR, and her recent appearance at ISTE. Emerging Technologies in Education [00:49.93 - 02:38.929] Rachelle discusses the increasing interest in AR, VR, and AI in education. She mentions her sessions at ISTE and how educators' comfort and interest levels have evolved over time. Apple's AR Glasses vs. Meta's VR [02:53.228 - 04:24.106] The conversation shifts to Apple's announcement of AR glasses and how it compares to Meta's full VR approach. Rachelle shares her thoughts on the potential reasons and implications. AI's Impact on AR and VR [05:08.118 - 07:48.801] Vicki and Rachelle discuss the exponential change that can occur when AI integrates with AR and VR. They explore the potential benefits and challenges, as well as the future of these technologies in education. Anthropomorphism of AI [09:07.722 - 11:28.5] The conversation delves into how people perceive and refer to AI, touching on the humanization of technology and the implications for education and society. Advice for Educators [11:34.571 - 12:50.495] Rachelle offers advice for educators looking to integrate emerging technologies into their classrooms. She emphasizes the importance of taking risks and learning alongside students. Hosts, Guests & Featured People: Rachelle Dené Poth @Rdene915 Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher Resources: The Future is Faster than You Think by Peter Diamandis, Steven Kotler EVERFI - show sponsor News: Apple Vision Pro Glasses Disclosure of Material Connection: This is a “sponsored podcast episode.” The company who sponsored it compensated me via cash payment, gift, or something else of value to include a reference to their product. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

Aug 7, 2023 • 13min
Teaching with AI: Harnessing the Future without Losing Our Way – An In-Depth Conversation with Pat Yongpradit
Pat Yongpradit, AI education advocate from Code.org, discusses the challenges and opportunities of integrating AI in education. He explores the benefits and drawbacks, sharing concerns about students seeking emotional advice from AI and the potential laziness it may foster. The importance of communication and innovation in supporting students is emphasized.

Aug 5, 2023 • 11min
AI: The Future of Classroom Efficiency with Mary Howard
What do you do when award-winning teachers tell you there is a way to save time? Mary Howard, author of Artificial Intelligence to Streamline Your Teacher Life: The ChatGPT Guide for Educators shares some quick tips to streamline teacher productivity with ChatGPT. Mary won ISTE's 2018 "Virtual Pioneer of the Year" and was a New York State Teacher of the Year finalist in 2018 and 2020. She is an actual classroom teacher and doesn't "do" hype, but I think she wants to help. In this show, she shares some ideas for streamlining and discusses the future of AI in VR and AR and how she thinks it can help us use these advanced tools even more. I hope this show helps you think about what you can do today and what is possible tomorrow. Full Show notes, transcript, guest bio, and links to resources at http://www.coolcatteacher.com/e810 Sponsor: This show is sponsored by Microsoft. Check out their new AI Course. All opinions are my own.

Aug 1, 2023 • 12min
The Great Student AI Writing Experiment with Steve Dembo
Are you an educator troubled by the looming question of how AI will impact writing instruction? Look no further. As this experiment unfolds, you'll be interested in his findings' powerful implications on student creativity and expression. Prepare to be inspired, challenged, and equipped to navigate the future of writing in a world where humans and AI learn to work together to communicate in better ways. In this episode, we step into the captivating world of AI and writing with Steve Dembo, a seasoned classroom educator at the forefront of AI integration for years. In this eye-opening podcast, Steve uncovers his ingenious writing experiment that holds the keys to helping us all unlock the true potential of students and AI in writing papers. Show Notes, Transcript, and Video with Captions: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e809 Sponsor: This show is sponsored by Microsoft. Check out their new AI Course. All opinions are my own. Once a year, I have a newsworthy topic that I accept that has advertorial content. This is the show for 2023 with Microsoft.

Jul 28, 2023 • 11min
Revolutionizing Classrooms: How Microsoft's AI is Changing Education
Artificial intelligence is the top conversation among educators everywhere. It was truly a thrill for me, as a classroom teacher, for Lydia Smyers, the Vice President of US Education for Microsoft, to sit down with me at ISTE. As educators, we're at the forefront of this exciting (and scary) change with unprecedented learning opportunities (and threats.) Whether you're new to AI or a seasoned AI-enthusiast, you'll gain invaluable insights into one of the companies on the forefront of AI in education. Brought to you by Microsoft, this podcast offers a glimpse into the future of education and an AI-infused landscape where possibilities are endless (and challenges abound.) Let's do this! Read the full transcript, show notes, and video here: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e808 Sponsor: This show is sponsored by Microsoft. Check out their new AI Course. All opinions are my own. Once a year, I have a newsworthy topic that I accept that has advertorial content. This is the show for 2023 with Microsoft. Lydia Smyers, Vice President of US Education for Microsoft Lydia Smyers is the Vice President of US Education for Microsoft. She leads the sales teams supporting the adoption and sales of Microsoft’s solutions across K-12 organizations and higher education customers in the United States. Before joining Microsoft, Smyers was group vice president of Worldwide Alliances, Channels Programs and Communications at Oracle Corp. In this role, she had global responsibility for Oracle Partner Network (OPN) programs, strategy, marketing and communications. Her organization supported Oracle’s channel ecosystem with an emphasis on driving partner profitability and satisfaction. Smyers is a member of the EDUCAUSE Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Board and has been named as one of CRN’s “Top 100 Women of the Channel” 2009–2013 and named to its advisory board. She is also committed to empowering the next generation of leaders and supporting her local community. She serves on the board of several community nonprofits including Friends of Marblehead Public Schools, MassCUE, and the Marblehead Family Fund. Smyers holds an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Trinity College-Hartford. She is a sports enthusiast, an active triathlete in the summer and an alpine backcountry skier in the winter. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband and two sons.

Jul 24, 2023 • 11min
The Human Side of AI: A Student ChatGPT Experience
As we continue with the series, '80 Days of AI and AI,' after a much-needed summer break, this interview with my student, William, marks a return to the learning journey. But this journey is not just for me and my students. This learning journey is ours as educators venturing into this rapidly changing area of AI. In April, William Price, one of my senior students, shared his proposal for a capstone project. William was curious: what would happen if he pit ChatGPT against the assignments from our Computer Science class. The question? Could this AI perform as well, or possibly even outperform the human students/ And if so, which assignments would it excel in, and where would it fall short? William returned to our classroom just a week after graduation to share what he learned, his honest observations about this new tool, and what his generation is saying about it. While many are talking about the role of AI in education, as a classroom teacher with my students, we are taking a different approach. We're not just discussing it but implementing, testing, and learning from it. We're learning out to supervise AI and when it is effectively used (or not.) So, on Day 16 of my '80 Days of AI and HI' series, it seems only fitting to showcase one of my inspiring student's contributions to this exploration. The show notes include a full transcript and reflection questions for educators, administrators and preservice teachers: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e807

Jul 20, 2023 • 10min
Promoting Real World Change and Success in Schools Today with Misa Sato
Today, we spotlight Misa Sato, an award-winning assistant principal who recently earned the prestigious NASSP Assistant Principal of the Year title. Serving at Reagan High School in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Misa has made a profound impact through her dynamic approach to educational leadership. Under her guidance, the school has not only seen significant growth in its International Baccalaureate (IB) Career Program but also received numerous awards for student achievement. In this episode, Misa shares her journey, discussing her proudest accomplishments, her experiences of implementing and expanding the IB Career-Related Program, and how she's fostered the critical connection between students, parents, and the wider community. This episode is a must-listen for those looking for inspiration on how to be a great assistant principal and seeking practical advice on successfully navigating the challenges of school leadership. So, tune in to explore Misa's remarkable story, and don't miss her nuggets of wisdom that could help you make a meaningful difference in your role as an assistant principal. Remember, you're just a podcast away from becoming an even better leader! Transcript and Show Notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e806 Show Sponsor: Research Quest Are you looking for engaging NGSS-aligned science lessons designed to improve critical thinking in your middle school students? Now is the time to sign up for Research Quest from the Natural History Museum of Utah. Designed by teachers for teachers, these online investigations are lead by museum scientists and use the museum’s incredible collections to create engaging learning experiences that are fun for your students and easy to implement! Check out Research Quest today at www.coolcatteacher.com/researchquest.