ChatEDU: AI in Education

While Matt and Liz continue to roll out their AI micro-credential, ChatEDU is revisiting some episodes from our past lineup. In the coming weeks, we’ll continue to bring back listener favorites that sparked conversations and insights. If you’re new to ChatEDU, welcome! We hope these episodes offer you a great starting point. For our long-time listeners, it’s a chance to revisit an episode or check out other AI and education podcasts. In this Encore Episode – A Talk with the Boss, Matt and Liz sit down with Jonathan Costa, the Executive Director of EdAdvance. They dive into a wide-ranging conversation that covers Jonathan’s journey from high school history teacher to agency leader. They discuss his unique perspective on the role of AI in education, from improving operational efficiencies to supporting schools in navigating the profound instructional changes AI brings. Jonathan explains his vision for AI’s role in reshaping school administration and explores how AI might impact everything from back-office functions to strategic educational planning. They also tackle challenging topics like how AI will influence job structures in education, the skills students truly need for future success, and why adaptive leadership is more critical than ever. Expect new episodes later this fall, including a special new episode the day after Thanksgiving (in the US)! In the meantime, you can email us with questions at chatedu@edadvance.org. And if you’d like to learn more about the AI in K-12 education micro-credential, visit skills21.org/ai/micro. Thanks as always for tuning in!

While Matt and Liz continue rolling out their AI micro-credential, ChatEDU will be revisiting some of our past episodes. Over the next few weeks, we’ll bring back more listener favorites that sparked insightful discussions and questions. If you're new to ChatEDU, welcome! We hope these episodes offer a solid introduction. And for our loyal listeners, take this chance to revisit a past episode or check out other great AI and education podcasts. In this Encore Episode – From Solo to System: Elevating AI Across Our Schools, Matt and Liz tackle the shift from individual to systemic use of AI in education. First up, they explore the heavy investments labs like Google DeepMind are making to reduce “hallucinations” in large language models. From there, it's a dash of AI images and then AI agency. Finally, Matt and Liz look at the wider potential for AI in schools, advocating for a focus not only on teacher training but on comprehensive school-wide AI integration. They unpack how institutions can scale AI to enhance curriculum, assessment, administration, and more, moving beyond isolated cases to cohesive, strategic use. And, as always, they close with a Short Stack Chat Back. Expect new live episodes later this fall including a special episode the day after Thanksgiving (in the US)! In the meantime, you can email us with questions at chatedu@edadvance.org and if you'd like to learn more about the AI in K-12 education micro-credential, visit skills21.org/ai/micro. Thanks as always for tuning in!

While Matt and Liz are kicking off their new AI micro-credential course, we're taking a brief break from new ChatEDU episodes. During most of this month, we will be replaying some episodes that seem especially relevant or received lots of questions and comments. If you're new to ChatEDU, we hope you enjoy this recent trip down memory lane. If you're a long-time listener, feel free to have another listen, or kick back and enjoy one of the other amazing AI and education podcasts out there—or explore a whole new topic. Now, in this Encore Episode - You Gotta See This, The Potential of AI Vision in Education, Matt and Liz dive into how AI vision can be used in and out of our classrooms. First, they'll share how much they don't know about AI dating, and then the duo will chart new territory about the future of prompting and interactive games...with a Star Trek throughline of course. Finally, they will wrap up with a Short Stack Chat Back! Oh, and there's a whole lotta talk about Inflection AI's Pi, which is now reborn in Microsoft's Co-Pilot App. Be sure to check it out! It's close, but not quite there on the voice. Matt and Liz look forward to new live episodes in late fall, and as always, you can email us with any questions at chatedu@edadvance.org. Thanks!

While Matt and Liz are kicking off their new AI micro-credential course, we're taking a brief break from new ChatEDU episodes. During the rest of this month and next, we will be replaying some episodes that seem especially relevant or received lots of questions and comments. If you're new to ChatEDU, we hope you enjoy this recent trip down memory lane. If you're a long-time listener, feel free to have another listen, or kick back and enjoy one of the other amazing AI and education podcasts out there—or explore a whole new topic. Now, in this reprised episode titled Encore Episode - AI Guilt Trip: Why Educators Sometimes Feel Guilty and What to Do About It!, Matt and Liz riff on AI in music, from Google’s new tools like MusicLM to the unexpected success of AI-generated love songs at open mic night. They also dive into how students are leading AI efforts in Colorado and how New York and LA schools are tapping into AI to support teachers and students. In a plot twist, however, LAUSD’s chatbot “Ed” met an untimely demise when the company behind it went bust. For now, LAUSD had to hit the pause button on Ed, so he'll have to catch his bus elsewhere! Finally, we'll tackle guilt: why some educators feel uneasy using AI and how to embrace it as a tool to make their work easier. Tune in for practical tips and a few laughs along the way! Matt and Liz look forward to new live episodes in late fall, and as always, you can email us with any questions at chatedu@edadvance.org. Thanks!

In this live episode of ChatEDU recorded at an AI conference in Litchfield, Connecticut (More Common Sense - A New CSM Report on Teens and AI), Matt and Liz unpack Common Sense Media's latest report on teen AI usage, followed by an engaging Q&A session with educators. The episode explores the growing role of AI in education and the disparities in awareness between teens and parents. Getting Started: Matt and Liz kick off the episode from their AI conference in Litchfield, Connecticut, with an enthusiastic audience of educators. They share observations about the conference atmosphere and educators making the most of the beautiful fall day. Beneath the Surface: Teen AI Usage and Parental Awareness: Most teens are using AI tools, particularly AI-enhanced search engines Significant gap exists between teen usage and parental awareness Equity and Access Issues: Black and Latino youth show more optimism about AI's educational potential Concerns raised about bias in AI detection systems Need for balanced approaches to AI integration in education School Policy and Guidelines: Many schools lack clear AI policies Students often uncertain about allowed AI uses Need for more consistent guidelines across education Live Audience Q&A: Key discussions centered around data privacy in AI tools, strategies for parent education, and the intersection of gaming and AI access. Educators shared concerns and creative solutions for engaging both students and parents in AI education. Announcements: ChatEDU is taking a brief fall break!  Connecticut's community of practice for AI continues with national participation Check out the new AI micro-credential program Related Links: Common Sense Media Report: The Dawn of the AI Era - https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/the-dawn-of-the-ai-era-teens-parents-and-the-adoption-of-generative-ai-at-home-and-school  Connecticut's Community of Practice for AI Registration - https://www.rescalliance.org/artificial-intelligence-ai  AI Micro-credential Program Information - https://www.skills21.org/ai/micro  Contact Us: Have questions or comments? Email Matt and Liz at chatedu@edadvance.org. Rate, review, and subscribe to ChatEDU on your favorite podcast platform!

In this episode of ChatEDU (To Tech or Not to Tech - A Conversation with Principal Darron Vigliotti), Matt and Liz sit down with Darron Vigliotti, a middle school principal and former high school science teacher. Darron brings his thoughtful perspective on balancing technology and tech-free spaces in the classroom. Key points of the conversation include: Darron’s reflections on creating tech-free learning spaces and how that can improve attention and engagement (for both students and teachers) The impact of tech distraction in 1:1 Chromebook environments and strategies to mitigate it. How his faculty is experimenting with journals and more analog approaches to help students slow down and engage deeply with their learning. Exploring the SAMR model (Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, Redefinition) as a framework to thoughtfully integrate technology where it’s most impactful. A broader discussion on AI in education, how it differs from traditional EdTech, and the potential future role of AI as a teaching partner. Darron’s experience with NotebookLM and how AI tools can offer fascinating possibilities for students and teachers. Darron also shares stories from his career in education, the challenges of finding balance between learning outcomes and processes, and why promoting lifelong learning is essential. Links Mentioned: Skills21 Prompts Page - https://www.skills21.org/prompts  Next, Curtail the Chromebooks - Fordham Institute - https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/commentary/next-curtail-chromebooks  Educational Screens in Classrooms Do More Harm Than Good - Newsweek - https://www.newsweek.com/educational-screens-classrooms-do-more-harm-good-opinion-1953468  Contact Us: We’d love to hear your thoughts! Email us at chatEDU@edadvance.org or subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on your favorite platform.

In this episode of ChatEDU (Tool Time - Our Fall AI Tool Review), Matt and Liz welcome special guest Abbe Waldron to explore the landscape of AI tools in education. They discuss what's working, what's challenging, and what might be coming next. Getting Started: Matt humorously arrives late to the podcast recording, leading to a playful exchange about using ChatGPT to role-play difficult conversations. In the News: Study finds ChatGPT eases students’ cognitive load, but at the expense of critical thinking Recent research comparing Google vs. ChatGPT for student research tasks Students using ChatGPT reported lower cognitive load Google users produced more detailed and thorough arguments Discussion of three types of cognitive load: Extraneous (filtering unnecessary information) Intrinsic (complexity of material) Germane (mental effort for processing information) Beneath the Surface: Popular AI Tools in Education Special guest Abbe Waldron shares insights on trending educational AI tools: Magic School AI: Offers pre-designed prompts for teachers Suite of tools for various educational tasks Designed with teacher feedback in mind School AI: Features "Spaces" for student conversations with historical figures Provides tutorials for standardized tests Offers accessibility features like voice input DiffIt: Quickly creates differentiated materials Allows adjustment by grade level Generates supplementary exercises and resources Key Discussion Points: Teacher adoption varies widely Most use seen in high school, some in middle school Free features available despite paywalls Discussion of teacher guilt around AI use Need for critical thinking when using AI outputs The state of “student-facing” AI Looking Ahead: Abbe shares her vision for future AI tools including integration with published academic content Short Stack Chat Back: Dr. Spock offers a logical perspective on the cognitive load study, emphasizing the need to balance technological assistance with maintaining necessary cognitive challenges for learning. Have a question or comment? Please email Matt and Liz at chatedu@edadvance.org  Related Links: EdAdvance AI Resources: skills21.org/AI EdAdvance AI Micro-Credential: skills21.org/ai/micro  Cognitve Load / Research Study - https://www.psypost.org/study-finds-chatgpt-eases-students-cognitive-load-but-at-the-expense-of-critical-thinking/  Magic School AI: magicschool.ai School AI: schoolai.com DiffIt: app.diffit.me Perplexity: perplexity.ai Khanmigo (Teacher): khanmigo.ai/teachers 

In this live episode of ChatEDU (Live Comp Sci - AI in Computer Science Education), Matt and Liz dive into the future of computer science education in an age dominated by AI, The episode was recorded in front of a live audience with the Connecticut Computer Science Teachers Association and features discussions on AI's impact on teaching and learning in computer science, insights from a new Teach AI and CSTA report, and live Q&A with educators. Getting Started:Matt and Liz kick off the episode by thanking the Connecticut Computer Science Teachers Association team for hosting their first live recording. They joke about the large crowd and share their excitement about the evening's discussions on AI in education.Matt introduced Google’s Notebook LM, a tool that transforms PDFs into engaging NPR-style interviews. Matt uploaded the evening’s feature story on AI and CS which became a short podcast. He joked that they could now retire (which Liz objected to streneously).  Beneath the Surface: AI is Changing Computer Science Education:Matt and Liz explore the shifting landscape of computer science education, including the controversial idea that coding may become obsolete as AI advances. They discuss the Teach AI and CSTA report, "Guidance on the Future of Computer Science Education in an Age of AI," which outlines how computer science teaching must adapt to new AI technologies in the following briefs:  Whether kids still need to learn to code. How AI can support teachers in teaching and feedback. How to teach students to be ethical, critical consumers of AI. The Importance of "Code Sense":The episode unpacks the Teach AI report's emphasis on "code sense"—the foundational understanding of programming that remains crucial despite AI’s capabilities. They discuss the need for students to learn coding to understand, debug, and critically assess AI-generated outputs. Live Audience Q&A: AI and Ethical Use:The audience engages with the topic of ethics in AI education, including the role of middle school educators in teaching students to use AI responsibly. Liz highlights the importance of starting these conversations early to help students develop critical thinking skills around technology. AI in Assessment:Discussion on Code.org’s AI Teaching Assistant, designed to support computer science teachers with real-time feedback and assessment. Teachers share their experiences and the potential benefits of integrating AI into the classroom. Short Stack Chat Back:Matt and Liz end the episode with their "Short Stack Chat Back," featuring an imagined response from Alan Turing on the importance of learning to code, emphasizing that students must be creators, not just consumers, of intelligent systems. Announcements:Matt and Liz announce upcoming live ChatEDU sessions with other organizations and tease future episodes focusing on AI in various educational settings. They invite listeners to join the conversation by emailing their thoughts and questions at chatedu@edadvance.org  Related Links: Teach AI and CSTA Report on the Future of Computer Science Education.https://www.teachai.org/cs  Google’s Notebook LM: https://research.google.com/notebook-lm/  Code.org AI Teaching Assistant: https://code.org/ai  Netflix Documentary "Coded Bias" https://www.netflix.com/title/81328723  Contact Us:Have questions or comments? Email Matt and Liz at chatedu@edadvance.org. Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to ChatEDU on your favorite podcast platform!

In this episode of ChatEDU (Missing in Action - Why OpenAI Won’t Release Their AI Content Detection Tool) Matt and Liz explore why OpenAI has not released their AI content detection tool and they unpack the funky intersection between a rock-solid content detection tool and competitive business interests. Getting Started:  Matt and Liz discuss recent Surgeon General warnings, touching on topics like social media use, parental stress, and the challenges of modern parenting. In the News: 1. Google's DeepMind and AI Literacy: Introduction of AlphaProteo, a new tool for designing protein binders using AI. Google.org's "Experience AI" program, offering free project-based resources for young people to create AI and machine learning projects. Discussion on the importance of AI literacy beyond generative AI tools. 2. Harvard Study on AI Tutors: Results show AI tutors nearly doubling learning gains compared to traditional methods in a physics course. AI tutors allowed for personalized, adaptive learning experiences. Implications for the "flipped classroom" model and potential for more interactive, hands-on learning in class. 3. OpenAI's New Model - O1 Preview: Advancements in complex problem-solving and reasoning capabilities. Discussion on potential risks, including a "medium" security risk for biological and chemical weapons development. Beneath the Surface: OpenAI's AI Detection Tool OpenAI developed a watermarking system in 2022 to detect AI-generated text. The company has not released this tool, likely due to competitive pressures and potential loss of users. Discussion on the California Digital Content Provenance Standards Bill and its potential impact. Comparison with YouTube's AI detection tools for content creators. Short Stack Chat Back:  Mr. Rogers offers a gentle perspective on scientific advancements and the importance of using new technologies responsibly. Announcements:  Matt and Liz will be recording their first live ChatEDU session with the Connecticut Computer Science Teachers Association. Upcoming episodes will feature live Q&A sessions. Have a question or comment? Please email Matt and Liz at chatedu@edadvance.org  Related Links: EdAdvance AI Resources: skills21.org/AI Google’s AlphaProteo; https://deepmind.google/discover/blog/alphaproteo-generates-novel-proteins-for-biology-and-health-research/  Google's Experience AI challenge: https://blog.google/technology/families/improving-ai-literacy-in-young-people/  Harvard Study on AI Tutors: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2024/09/professor-tailored-ai-tutor-to-physics-course-engagement-doubled/?utm_source=perplexity  OpenAI O1 Preview: https://openai.com/index/introducing-openai-o1-preview/  OpenAI’s Unreleased Content Detection Tool: https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/370419/chatgpt-schools-ai-cheating-plagiarism-detection  California Digital Content Provenance Standards Bill: https://digitaldemocracy.calmatters.org/bills/ca_202320240ab3211

In this episode of ChatEDU, Matt and Liz explore how AI and humans can collaborate to enhance creative problem-solving based on a recent Harvard Business School study. classrooms. Getting Started: Matt and Liz chat about Liz's recent camping trip to celebrate her 4-H camp's 100th anniversary. Matt demonstrates Eleven Labs' new Text to Sound Effects System, showcasing how AI is transforming audio production (all while rudely interrupting Liz!). In the News: AI as an Assignment Evaluator: Matt and Liz discuss a large-scale study from National Taiwan University involving over 1,000 students. Key findings: 75% of students accepted AI evaluators, but 51% reported format issues. 47% of students attempted to "hack" the AI grading system, raising concerns about fairness and accuracy. UK's First "Teacherless" AI Classroom: A private school in London is launching an AI and VR-based classroom. The setup includes three learning coaches for 20 students, challenging the "teacherless" claim. Matt and Liz critically examine the high cost and limited scalability of this model. Beneath the Surface: AI and Creative Problem Solving Matt and Liz examine a Harvard Business School study on AI's role in creative problem-solving: Researchers compared human-generated ideas with AI-generated solutions for circular economy challenges. Findings: Human solutions were more novel, while AI solutions were more feasible. The best outcomes resulted from human-AI collaboration, with humans refining AI-generated ideas. Matt and Liz relate these findings to their experiences with Personal Interest Projects (PIP) and Capstone projects, where students use AI tools like Sidekick for ideation and project management. Short Stack Chat Back: Thomas Edison opines on how AI and humans make problem-solving better together. Announcement: Matt and Liz introduce their new 6-week micro-credential course on "AI in K-12 Education," offered in partnership with Southern Connecticut State University. To learn more, visit www.skills21.org/ai/micro  Have a question or comment? Please email Matt and Liz at chatedu@edadvance.org Related Links: EdAdvance AI Resources: skills21.org/AI Micro-credential registration: skills21.org/AI/micro National Taiwan University Study: https://arxiv.org/abs/2407.05216  The “Teacherless AI Classroom”: https://news.sky.com/story/uks-first-teacherless-ai-classroom-set-to-open-in-london-13200637  HBR Problem Solving Study with AI: https://hbswk.hbs.edu/item/generative-ai-and-creative-problem-solving 

In this episode of ChatEDU (From Solo to System - Elevating AI Across Our Schools), Matt and Liz explore how schools need to move beyond focusing just on teacher AI professional learning to realize the full potential of AI and benefits of generative AI. Getting Started:  Matt and Liz discuss if they’d pay extra $ for grad school to keep their kids out of the basement and how that might be related to AI “training” runs. You have to listen to understand!  Then in the News: Ideogram 2.0: Matt and Liz discuss Ideogram 2.0 and how this new release addresses (sort of) the challenge of rendering accurate text along with images. They explore its potential applications in education and test it live during the podcast. Executive Functioning and AI: Liz shares insights from a recent study showing that students who struggle with executive functioning find generative AI significantly more useful for schoolwork than their peers. Beneath the Surface: Matt and Liz examine how schools and organizations can move from individual AI use cases to more cohesive, systemic, strategic uses of AI: Discussion of McKinsey's report on organizational transformation through generative AI Exploration of Yale University's $150 million investment in AI initiatives Analysis of how generative AI can drive innovation in schools, from ideation to project completion Examination of AI's role in upskilling educators and administrators as part of strategic systems efforts Short Stack Chat Back: G.K. Chesterton analyzes the analogy between parents investing in their children's education to prevent basement-dwelling and AI companies investing in longer training runs to reduce hallucinations. Have a question or comment? Please email Matt and Liz at chatedu@edadvance.org Related Links: EdAdvance AI Resources: skills21.org/AI McKinsey Report: "Gen AI's next inflection point: From employee experimentation to organizational transformation" https://mck.co/3LXQN8K Yale University AI Initiative: https://news.yale.edu/2024/08/28/yale-announces-150-million-support-leadership-ai  Study on Executive Functioning and AI: https://www.psypost.org/students-with-concentration-issues-turn-to-chatgpt-and-similar-ai-tools-study-finds/

In this episode of ChatEDU (A Talk with the Boss - The Jonathan Costa Interview), Matt and Liz interview Jonathan Costa, the Executive Director of EdAdvance. They discuss the impact of AI on education and Jonathan's vision for the future of learning. The three have a great conversation on a range of topics including:  AI and Education EdAdvance's approach: Using AI to improve service quality and efficiency internally, while helping districts rethink public education through an AI lens Vision for AI in education: Improving quality of work rather than eliminating positions Challenges: Adapting curriculum and assessment to an AI-integrated world Rethinking Education Need to reduce curriculum content by approximately 50% Focus on teaching "durable" skills that can't be easily replicated by AI Importance of self-directed learning and mastery of skills Shift from "just in case" to "just in time" learning Assessment and Accountability Current assessment methods are a significant barrier to educational improvement Need to align assessment with skills that matter most for future success Challenge of changing public perception about educational accountability AI in Personal Life Jonathan discusses how AI has impacted his hobbies: golf, gym workouts, and cycling AI tools can help set goals and track progress in various areas of life Advice for Educators Embrace AI and don't be afraid to make mistakes Focus on where students are going rather than where education has been Use AI to encourage student interest and skill development Closing Thoughts Importance of collaboration and goodwill in navigating the AI transition in education Excitement about the potential for positive change in education through thoughtful AI integration

In this episode of ChatEDU (Simulated Minds - Using AI to Deepen Research Insights), Matt and Liz explore the use of AI in social science research, focusing on a study from NYU and Stanford about using large language models to simulate research participants. First in our Intro: Matt and Liz discuss a trend of women using AI to fact-check men's height claims on dating apps. They then explore contrasting organizational approaches to AI adoption: AI Bans in Organizations: Matt shares an anecdote about a friend's workplace banning all access to generative AI, while Liz discusses similar bans in various organizations. Moderna's AI Adoption: Liz highlights Moderna's extensive use of custom GPTs across their organization, with 750 custom GPTs created and 40% of users actively using them weekly. Then in the News: Grok2 Image Generation Tool: Matt introduces Elon Musk's new AI model, Grok2 which lacks typical content filters. They discuss its potential misuse in school settings and the challenges it presents for educators and parents. Student Attitudes Toward AI in Education: Liz shares findings from a global AI student survey by the Digital Education Council, revealing that many students believe overuse of AI in teaching devalues education and negatively impacts academic performance. Beneath the Surface: Matt and Liz examine a research paper on using large language models to predict results of social science experiments: Discussion of the study's methodology using AI to simulate research participants based on demographic profiles Exploration of potential applications in cost-effective pilot studies and augmenting traditional research methods Demonstration of the approach using Liz's doctoral dissertation on student self-efficacy in high school mathematics Simulation of a research participant named Amber and comparison of AI-generated responses to actual research data Short Stack Chat Back: A simulated Charles Darwin summarizes this week’s Beneath the Surface in three short sentences. Have a question or comment? Please email Matt and Liz at chatedu@edadvance.org  Related Links: Digital Education Council Global AI Student Survey: https://www.digitaleducationcouncil.com/post/digital-education-council-global-ai-student-survey-2024  NYU and Stanford Research Paper: https://docsend.com/view/ity6yf2dansesucf#  EdAdvance AI Resources: skills21.org/AI  Grok2 Image Woes: https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/14/24220173/xai-grok-image-generator-misinformation-offensive-imges 

In this episode of ChatEDU (The Storm Rolled In - Stanford's AI Research Tool), Matt and Liz explore the implications of Stamford University's new AI research tool, STORM, and its potential impact on education and research skills. First in our Intro: Matt and Liz discuss the recent Olympics.  They highlight the artistic swimming competition of course and some interesting AI intersections. These include Google's DeepMind winning a medal in the International Math Olympiad and an ad for Google’s Gemini that made the Internet go nuts!  Then in the News: AI-Generated Video Tools: Matt introduces new AI video generation tools like Runway Gen-3 and Kling, discussing their potential use in education and the need for critical evaluation skills. AI in College Essays: Liz shares findings from a Foundry 10 study revealing that a third of students admitted to using AI in some capacity for their college application essays, sparking a discussion on fairness and ethics in the application process. Beneath the Surface: Matt and Liz examine Stanford University's new AI research tool, STORM (Synthesis of Topic Outlines Through Retrieval and Multi-perspective Question Asking): Demonstration of STORM's capabilities by quickly generating a comprehensive abstract for Liz's dissertation topic Discussion on the implications of such powerful research tools for education and skill development Exploration of the balance between efficient task completion and the value of productive struggle in learning Consideration of how educators might need to adapt teaching and assessment methods in response to AI tools Short Stack Chat Back: Roald Dahl-Style - Claude provides a three-sentence analysis of the future of research skills in a world with AI tools like STORM, written in the style of Roald Dahl. Have a question or comment? Please email Matt and Liz at chatedu@edadvance.org Related Links: Runway Gen 3 - https://runwayml.com/product  Kling AI Video Generation - https://klingai.org/  Foundry 10 Study on AI in College Essays - https://www.foundry10.org/stories/new-research-ai-is-changing-the-college-application-process  Stanford University STORM Tool - https://storm.genie.stanford.edu/  Dear Sydney Ad - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NgtHJKn0Mck  And Just for Liz :). French Artistic Swimming Masks - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVW02j-1jH4 Artistic Swimming Moonwalk -  ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m4zEy166sg0⁠⁠ 

In this special summer episode of ChatEDU (Crash Course - Building Your AI Professional Learning Plan), Matt and Liz explore strategies for developing effective AI professional learning plans for educators. Intro Matt welcomes Liz back and then quizzes her with a paragraph full of “AI tell words” to see how many she can identify.  Liz puts Matt in the “hotseat”, as she inquires about how he approaches AI professional learning for back-to-school and beyond. They discuss a range of issues including: Foundation and Baseline Understanding Matt unpacks his approach to establishing a baseline understanding of AI for educators Covers the "great everything making machine" concept and demonstrates AI capabilities Addresses how teachers have responded to AI in the past year Differentiated Learning Approaches Elementary school focus: Productivity tools and building AI literacy foundations Middle and high school: Durable and vulnerable assessments, potential student-facing AI pilots Advanced users: Exploring Leon Furze’s AI assessment scale Academic Integrity and Guidelines Importance of consistent, district-wide guidelines for AI use Implementing guidelines: Human steps and procedures for addressing potential misuse Engaging Professional Learning Techniques Matt shares his approach to making AI professional learning engaging and relevant Emphasizes the importance of humanity, humor, and vulnerability in presentations Ongoing Professional Learning Strategies Connecting AI to district priorities and ongoing initiatives Suggestions for embedding AI learning into regular school activities (faculty meetings, lunch and learns) Importance of continuous learning due to rapidly evolving AI landscape Special Populations and AI Brief discussion on AI tools for students with special needs and multilingual learners Mention of translation tools and their ease of use Skills21.org/prompts - Prompt library Skills21.org/AI - AI resources page AI student scenarios document Professional learning survey (Google Form) AI policy/guideline examples AI literacy resources for K-12 Have a question or comment? Please email Matt and Liz at chatedu@edadvance.org UDIO.com - AI music generation tool Suno.ai - Another AI music tool mentioned Skills21.org/ai - Destination for Matt’s AI tools, resources and contact for PL support 

In this episode of ChatEDU (AI on the Field - Our Interview with Tech Coach Ed Duclos), Matt and Liz interview Ed Duclos. Ed is a technology (and HS athletics) coach from South Windsor High School in Connecticut. They discuss his district's experiences implementing AI in education over the past year. Key points include: South Windsor's approach of encouraging AI exploration Formation of teacher and student AI squads Criteria for selecting student-facing AI tools Evolution of literacy education and importance of AI literacy Strategies for integrating AI into writing processes Development of AI guidelines and teacher expectations Potential for AI tutors to complement teachers' work Ed shares some wonderful insights on implementing AI and emphasizes the need for flexibility as the technology evolves. The discussion highlights ethical AI use, critical thinking, and adapting teaching practices for an AI-integrated future. We loved chatting with Ed, and hope you’ll enjoy this special summer episode! 

In this special summer episode of ChatEDU (The Predication Show - Forecasting AI in Edu), Matt and Liz explore potential futures for AI in education using a forecasting prompt from Professor Ethan Mollick. First, Matt and Liz introduce the episode concept, explaining how they’ll use Professor Mollick's "Four Futures" AI scenarios to make predictions about various educational topics. Then they dig into the forecasting on topics including:  Universal translators implanted in earlobes Potential for real-time translation across languages Possibility of animal or even alien language translation Timeline estimates for development AI in early learning environments Interactive storytelling and personalized tutoring Potential for AI playmates and emotional intelligence Concerns about over-reliance on AI and human teacher roles AI addressing or exacerbating educational inequities Potential for free AI tutoring and leveling the playing field Risks of widening gaps between well-funded and under-resourced schools AGI's potential to revolutionize education access (with caveats) AI influence on student creativity and project-based learning AI as a brainstorming and project management tool Concerns about balancing AI assistance with original thinking Potential for immersive simulations and personalized mentorship AI-generated excuses for late homework (a lighthearted exploration) Increasingly sophisticated and personalized excuses Ethical concerns and the importance of honesty The hosts discuss the implications of these scenarios, balancing excitement for potential benefits with awareness of risks and ethical considerations. Have a question or comment? Please email Matt and Liz at chatedu@edadvance.org  Related Links: Professor Ethan Mollick's "Four Futures" AI Forecasting Prompt: skills21.org/prompts (See Leadership)

In this episode of ChatEDU (Gemini Splashdown - Will Google Dominate AI in Education Next Year?), Matt and guest co-host Jonathan Costa explore two big moves from Google that will potentially redefine the educational landscape for K-12 in the years ahead. First in our Intro:  Matt welcomes Jonathan Costa as a guest co-host while Liz is on the road. They obviously discuss Jonathan’s dog who has been featured in the podcast, as well as a cool AI feature of the upcoming Paris Olympics.  Then in the News: OpenAI and Thrive Global Partnership - Matt and Jonathan discuss the new partnership between OpenAI and Arianna Huffington's Thrive Global on Thrive AI, an AI-infused health coach. Framework for AI in Schools - Jonathan introduces a framework for schools thinking about AI, anchored around the three C's: conceptual understanding, capacity, and curiosity. Have a question? Email Jonathan at costa@edadvance.org  Beneath the Surface:  Matt and Jonathan explore how Google may reign supreme in AI for education: Google's announcement of LearnLM for teacher productivity Responsible Gemini experience for teens in personal Google accounts Additional safety measures and guardrails for student use Double check response feature for fact-based questions Teen-friendly onboarding experience with AI literacy video Upcoming learning coach feature powered by LearnLM Potential impact on the educational AI market, including competitors like Magic School AI and Khan Academy's Khanmigo Together, the hosts discuss the implications of Google's expansion in the educational AI space, including privacy concerns, equity issues, and the potential for market dominance. Related Links: Sal Khan and Son Using GPT 4o Short Stack Chat Back: Rockefeller-Style - Claude provides a three-sentence analysis of Google's expanding dominance in the education sector in the writing style of John D. Rockefeller. Have a question or comment? Please email Matt and Liz at chatedu@edadvance.org

In this episode of ChatEDU (What a Character - The Secret Life of character.ai and Teens), Matt and Liz explore the wildly popular character.ai platform and how its approach might be leveraged for AI in K-12 education. First in our Intro Matt welcomes Liz back from her international travels and they discuss the reported perils of AI use and drinking (though it does not appear to apply to them!).  Then in the News AI Content Detection Updates - After a detailed sidebar on custom bots, Matt provides an update on two recent studies (higher ed / K-12) illustrating the limitations of educators in identifying AI-generated writing. They discuss the implications for academic integrity and assessment strategies. PISA Assessment Results - Liz discusses the latest PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) results, focusing on the new creativity assessment and the performance of U.S. students compared to other countries. Beneath the Surface: Matt and Liz explore character.ai, a hugely popular but underreported AI platform among teens. They discuss: The platform's massive user base (233 million users worldwide) High engagement rates (average 2 hours per user) Types of characters available (historical figures, fictional characters, etc.) New voice call feature Potential applications and concerns for K-12 education Together, the hosts provide some guidance on how educators might explore character-based AI interactions in their classrooms. Short Stack Chat Back: Tolkien-Style - Claude provides a three-sentence summary of the future of chatting with AI characters in the style of J.R.R. Tolkien. Have a question or comment? Please email Matt and Liz at chatedu@edadvance.org

In this episode of ChatEDU, Matt and Liz interview Charli Hughes, a recent high school graduate heading to the University of Connecticut in the fall. Charli discusses her summer internship at Medtronic (where she works on the Hugo Robot Assisted Surgery System), and her journey into computer science through robotics competitions.  Charli is one of the most thoughtful voices out there on AI, it just so happens that she is a recent high school graduate. Don’t miss her insights and opinions on what’s next for AI in K-12 education.