In this episode of The Teacher Think-Aloud Podcast, we sit down with Sara Davila, a self-described “learning alchemist,” to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping education. With her trademark mix of research, theory, and classroom pragmatism, Sara takes us on a journey from the evolution of AI and deep learning to the practical ways teachers can use large language models (LLMs) today.

Together, we dig into questions educators everywhere are asking: What exactly can AI do for teachers? How can we use it responsibly? And what frameworks can guide us as we experiment and adapt? Sara shares practical applications—from using AI as a personal assistant to update lesson plans, to managing schedules and streamlining teacher workflows. She also addresses the ethics of AI, the role of professional development, and why experimentation and play are essential in this new era.

💡 Reflect with us:

• How do you see AI supporting your role as a teacher?

• What frameworks of reference do you have in place to ensure effective and ethical implementation?

• What excites you most—and what worries you most—about AI in education?

• Where might AI help you reclaim time or energy in your teaching practice?

🧰 Resources & Tools:

• History of AI graphic by Sara Davila

• AI Timeline 2022-Present

• When to Use Predictive AI vs. Generative AI

• How AI Chatbots Work

• The Algorithmic Future of Education – Audrey Watters

• From Revolution to Evolution: What Generative AI Really Means for Language Learning (Cambridge)

• AI and English Language Teaching: Affordances and Challenges (BJET)

• Using Early LLMs for Corpus Linguistics (ScienceDirect)

• What We Talk About When We Talk About AI in Education – Audrey Watters

🎙 This episode is sponsored by Ellii Use code THINKALOUD for 15% off your first membership term. Admins can also request a two-month free trial to pilot Ellii for your program.

📚 Chapters:

00:00 Sponsor Message

01:12 Introduction to the Podcast

01:23 Episode Overview

04:02 Meet Our Guest: Sarah Davila

05:55 Understanding Large Language Models (LLMs)

06:23 The Evolution of AI

08:07 Deep Learning and Natural Language Processing

10:55 Generative AI and Transformers

17:29 Recap and Key Concepts

20:30 Frameworks for Teachers Using AI

21:37 Understanding the Rapid Evolution of AI

21:53 Introducing UNESCO's AI Framework for Teachers

22:37 Human-Centered AI: The Core Principle

23:15 Ethics in AI: Teacher Responsibility

26:13 Practical Use Cases for AI in Education

28:09 Leveraging AI for Personal and Professional Development

34:36 Exploring AI Tools in Microsoft and Google Ecosystems

38:41 Final Thoughts and Encouragement for Educators

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