In this podcast episode with Caleb Hicks, the focus is on creating learning experiences with AI. The discussion revolves around empowering teachers to move beyond traditional methods and become designers of engaging environments for students. The use of AI-powered apps and FERPA-compliant chat platforms are highlighted as tools to enhance student experiences. The concept of “spaces” is introduced, allowing teachers to create personalized learning adventures for their students. The episode also touches on the benefits of using AI for tasks like SAT prep and streamlining administrative duties for teachers. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the importance of prioritizing meaningful connections with students and designing environments that foster engaging learning experiences.

• How do you make decisions around this for what you create for teachers?
• School and education is a human-first endeavor
• Talking about career exploration.
• Magnifying the work that teachers do.
• Teacher busy-work vs. meaningful work.
• Frictionless first draft
• Teachers are stuck in this traditional overloaded position.
• Allowing teachers to move into the role of designer.
• 2 things that should take priority for teachers: connection with students and anything that is designing the environment to help students create meaningful learning experiences.
• Getting your classroom to be engaging is no easy feat.
• There are steps on the journey to be engaging.
• Lecture/worksheet/canvas quiz process.
• Spaces - AI powered apps for student learning experiences.
• FERPA-compliant chat for teachers
• How can we move beyond the quiz or worksheet to feel what it is like to make decisions as a colonial soldier?
• Space is like Choosing your own adventure for different scenarios.
• Template, Spanish cafe.
• Every student gets their own personal experience in the spaces.
• SAT Prep tutors
• Bellringer check in and exit ticket - pulse checks.
• Response from early users of SchoolAI.
• First question: how can we have a FERPA-compliant chatGPT experience?
• Next: action buttons - write a newsletter, prepare a lesson plan, etc. Making it so teachers didn’t have to be prompt engineers.
• Spaces - choose your own adventure - all teachers can create their own spaces.

About Caleb Hicks

Caleb Hicks is an experienced educator, founder, and angel investor, boasting over 15 years of expertise in instructional design, learning experience design, educational leadership, and early-stage startups.

Presently, Caleb leads SchoolAI, a venture dedicated to developing AI-powered tools tailored for teachers and school administrators, aimed at transforming educational institutions into extraordinary environments. 

Alongside his commitment to SchoolAI, Caleb is the esteemed founder of Factor, a non-profit organization that empowers students to explore various careers and lifestyles by facilitating their collaboration with professionals from renowned companies such as Apple, SpaceX, and the San Antonio Spurs. Caleb continues to provide ongoing support to Factor, nurturing its mission.

Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks, IXL Renaissance Learning:

We’re proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.

If you’re a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. 

These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. 

We’re also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. 

IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

• Simplify and streamline technology
• Save teachers’ time
• Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
• Improve student performance on state assessments

🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

Today’s episode is sponsored by Renaissance Learning. Renaissance helps schools accelerate learning with solutions that make it easier to assess progress, personalize support, and help every student succeed. Visit Renaissance Learning to learn more.