In this unique episode, an AI bot takes center stage to analyze and present key highlights from the Waterloo Catholic District School Board's Generative AI guidelines. Listen as artificial intelligence interprets human-crafted guidelines, offering a fascinating perspective on how GenAI can be integrated into K-12 education. After the bot ends their portion of the show, Whitney and Katrina follow up with their take on how this type of technology can impact education and learning.

Article: Would you listen to an AI Radio Announcer?

Please note: The body of this podcast was written and recorded by Google's NotebookLM AI tool with a little editing by humans.

You can view our teacher and student guidelines here: https://innovate.wcdsb.ca/ai/

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In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, we bring you a special live recording from St. Mary's High School. We sit down with John Schneider, an educator, and Georgia, a Gr. 11 student, to discuss the transformative shifts they've experienced since we last spoke in June.

Our guests share their insights on using Microsoft Copilot as both a learning tool and teaching assistant, offering a firsthand account of how AI is reshaping the classroom experience. 

As an exciting bonus, part of our discussion was captured by CTV News, who visited to report on WCDSB's innovative approach to integrating GenAI in education. Don't miss the accompanying news segment and article for a broader perspective https://kitchener.ctvnews.ca/how-the-waterloo-catholic-district-school-board-is-embracing-ai-1.7050610 

Feedback? You can ask your questions or give us feedback on the show here 

Want to know more?

You can check out our WCDSB GenAI Guidelines, infographics, and Innovation website: https://innovate.wcdsb.ca/

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In this season finale of "Deep Learning Dialogues," hosts Whitney McKinley and Katrina Gouett reflect on key learnings from the inaugural season and offer an exciting preview of what's to come. Discover their top insights, get a sneak peek into Season two's focus on the human element of AI in education, and learn about a fun summer AI activity. The hosts also share what they are currently reading. Don't miss this wrap-up episode that bridges the gap between seasons and sets the stage for more engaging discussions on AI in K-12 education.

LinkedIn: Whitney McKinley, Katrina Gouett

X: Whitney McKinley, Katrina Gouett

Article: L.A. Schools Probe Charges its Hyped, Now-Defunct AI Chatbot Misused Student Data

What we are reading and listening to right now:

Root and Stem

Visible Learning: The Sequel by John Hattie

Poor by Katriona O'Sullivan

AI Education Conversation

GenAII BINGO card

Feedback? You can ask your questions or give us feedback on the show here 

Want to know more?

You can check out our WCDSB GenAI Guidelines, infographics, and Innovation website: https://innovate.wcdsb.ca/

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In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues our guest, Mark Daley, reveals why AI "Magic Rock" plagiarism detectors are a false solution and discusses WCDSB's forward-thinking approach using Microsoft Copilot rather than costly "AI wrappers." We delve into the evolving nature of being a student and examine how AI is reshaping what it means to be human. Listen in as they unpack the urgent need for educators to transform their pedagogical practices in this new era of technology. This episode offers both enlightening perspectives and a reaffirmation of WCDSB's progressive path in AI integration.

Mark Daley was appointed as Western's first-ever Chief AI Officer for a five-year term in October 2023.

A respected researcher in the field of neural computation, Mark’s career includes a tenure as Vice-President Research at CIFAR, a world-renowned institute supporting AI research and leading Canada’s national AI strategy. Additionally, Mark is a multidisciplinary scholar and has held cross-appointments in several departments across campus, including Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics & Actuarial Sciences, Biology, Electrical & Computer Engineering, and Epidemiology & Biostatistics.

Western is the first university in Canada to create an AI leadership role within its senior executive, and Mark is uniquely qualified for this exciting new role that will help propel Western to the forefront of AI research and application. Most recently Mark served as Western’s Chief Digital Information Officer leading Western Technology Services (WTS). In this capacity he brought together the distributed IT community with a collaborative, respectful and federated approach through the creation of the Strategic Technology forum, drafted the Agile IT Governance framework, and co-created a service-oriented set of strategic objectives guiding the work of WTS.

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mjdaley/

Article: AI-Detectors Biased Against Non-Native English Writers

Feedback? You can ask your questions or give us feedback on the show here 

Want to know more?

You can check out our: WCDSB GenAI Guidelines, infographics, and Innovation website: https://innovate.wcdsb.ca/

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In this eye-opening episode, we dive deep into the world of Large Language Models (LLMs) with Joel Rorseth, a computer science PhD student from the University of Waterloo. Rorseth introduces us to RAGE (Retrieval-Augmented Generation Explainability), a groundbreaking tool that unveils the sources behind LLM-generated content. Our discussion covers the importance of prompt engineering, document upload order, and the surprising truth about "fuzzy citations." As we navigate the intersection of innovation and regulation in AI, this technically-rich episode offers crucial insights for educators looking to understand and responsibly implement LLM technologies in their classrooms.

Joel Rorseth is a Computer Science PhD student at the University of Waterloo, supervised by Dr. Lukasz Golab. His research focuses on explainable AI, a critical effort to rationalize the predictions and decision-making behaviours of increasingly complex AI models. Joel's work, which has recently focused on explaining large language models like ChatGPT, has been published at several top conferences and has earned him multiple scholarships. Joel earned a Bachelor of Computer Science from the University of Windsor in 2019, and has worked as a software engineer for a wide variety of clients. He leverages diverse expertise in AI, data, and software engineering to create real-world software tools that solve real-world research problems.

You can find Joel on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelrorseth/

Twitter: https://x.com/JoelExplainsAI

Article: Know your source: RAGE tool unveils ChatGPT’s sources

Feedback? You can ask your questions or give us feedback on the show here 

Want to know more?

You can check out our: WCDSB GenAI Guidelines, infographics, and Innovation website: https://innovate.wcdsb.ca/

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In this episode, we sit down with Jeremy Legg, a Conestoga College instructor to explore the evolving landscape of education in the age of Generative AI. Our guest shares insights on curriculum development for both in-person and online courses, and discusses how generative AI is reshaping teaching methods and academic integrity. We delve into essential AI skills for K-12 students, the importance of staying current with AI advancements, and the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for educators at all levels. Join us for a forward-looking conversation on preparing students for an AI-powered future.

Jeremy Legg is an experienced professor from Conestoga College who transitioned to education from a successful career in sales and sales analytics. Five years ago, he joined Conestoga College to launch a new sales program and has since developed multiple in-person and online courses, working closely with curriculum consultants and companies like D2L. Jeremy’s unique blend of industry and educational expertise makes them him valuable resource for insights on curriculum development and teaching strategies in an age of Generative AI.

You can find Jeremy on LinkedIn

Episode article references:

-GenZ Dumping Google For TikTok, Instagram As Social Search Wins

-Yes, The Bots Really Are Taking Over The Internet

Feedback? You can ask your questions or give us feedback on the show here 

Want to know more?

You can check out our: WCDSB GenAI Guidelines, infographics, and Innovation website: https://innovate.wcdsb.ca/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, we interview Laura MacPhee, an ESL teacher from St. Louis, the adult education school within WCDSB. Our conversation explores how Generative AI assists teachers in achieving a work-life balance, enhances the lives of newcomers, and addresses the challenges of prompt crafting. Laura shares her journey in using GenAI tools for effective lesson planning and passionately encourages others to embrace AI, highlighting its fun, time-saving benefits. This episode is a must-listen for educators looking to integrate AI into their practice and transform their teaching experience.

Laura MacPhee is fairly new to the classroom, joining St. Louis Adult Learning Centre a couple of years ago. She has worked in several industries over the years, including aviation software and healthcare. Laura has always had a love for language and a passion for helping people. In teaching Adult ESL, she has the incredible opportunity to combine these two aspects. 

Teaching our newest Canadians about the wonder of the English language is an honour and a privilege that she is thrilled to do each day.

In the classroom, Laura is enjoying the challenge of navigating the many digital tools available to educators and has overcome her fear of the unknown to embrace the many uses of generative AI. You can find her on LinkedIn.

Feedback? You can ask your questions or give us feedback on the show here 

Want to know more?

You can check out our: WCDSB GenAI Guidelines, infographics, and Innovation website: https://innovate.wcdsb.ca/

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In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, we speak with Michael Kearns, the award-winning educator and eLearning developer from Monsignor Doyle Catholic Secondary School. As the recent recipient of the Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence, Michael shares his innovative use of Generative AI across diverse curriculum areas such as Business, Social Sciences, and Drama. We explore specific examples of how tools like Copilot and HeyGen enhance student engagement and understanding, discuss ethical considerations, and address the challenges and opportunities of integrating GenAI into the classroom. Join us for an inspiring conversation on how Generative AI is shaping the future of education and fostering autonomy and creativity among students.

Michael Kearns is the Business and Cooperative Education Department Head at Monsignor Doyle Catholic Secondary School in Cambridge, Ontario. He is also a professional eLearning Developer who has developed engaging eLearning for ICAO (UN) and the University of Waterloo. He is a winner of the Prime Minister's Award for Teaching Excellence - Certificate of Achievement for 2024.

You can find him on LinkedIn at: linkedin.com/in/mike-kearns-28504b154

Feedback? You can ask your questions or give us feedback on the show here 

Want to know more?

You can check out our: WCDSB GenAI Guidelines, infographics, and Innovation website: https://innovate.wcdsb.ca/

Credits

Outro Song: Suno AI. “Break the Mold.” Feb 9, 2024

• prompt: "Create a pop song about innovation in the classroom and pushing boundaries."

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In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, we explore the innovative use of Generative AI in the classroom at St. Mary's High School. We talk with three Grade 10 religion students, Serina, Brody, and Georgia, and their teacher John Schneider about their experiences using Microsoft Copilot, discussing how it has transformed their learning, helped them understand complex subjects, and introduced them to new skills such as prompt crafting. They share how they use Generative AI in their daily lives and personal projects, as well as their thoughts on its future potential in education and careers. Tune in for a thought-provoking conversation filled with hope, critical thinking, and the exciting possibilities of Generative AI in education.

Please Note: Due to some scheduling differences, Katrina could only stay for half of the conversation, and Georgia joined us for the latter half. We appreciate your understanding and hope you enjoy the insights shared in this episode!

Feedback? You can ask your questions or give us feedback on the show here 

Want to know more?

You can check out our: WCDSB GenAI Guidelines, infographics, and Innovation website: https://innovate.wcdsb.ca/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we sit down with secondary school teacher John Schneider to explore the dynamic role of Generative AI in education. We discuss the transformative potential of GenAI tools like Microsoft Copilot in enhancing classroom learning to dramatically increase both critical thinking and the quality of student products. John shares personal experiences of integrating GenAI into teaching, emphasizing the value of using it as a "thought partner" to spark creativity and deepen understanding. This episode also touches on the challenges of AI adoption and the effective strategies for mentoring fellow educators. Whether you're new to Generative AI or looking to deepen your engagement, this episode offers valuable insights and practical advice on becoming more comfortable and innovative with AI in educational settings.

John Schneider, Jr. is a WCDSB religion teacher at St. Mary’s High School with over 45 years of experience in a variety of educational settings. Some of those settings include: university assistant professor, diocesan director of youth ministry and director of training for a counselling agency. John has been described by one of his administrators as a “positive light that is blinding and energizing.” He is passionate about student voice and inviting students to invest in their own personal and academic growth. John is always on the lookout for ways he can support students both inside and outside the classroom. According to John, relationships are everything; they are the first and last thing with every family member, student, colleague, friend and neighbour! John has a variety of degrees from several US and Canadian universities including a PhD in Counselling Psychology from UBC and a MSc in Secondary Education from Niagara University.

Feedback? You can ask your questions or give us feedback on the show here 

Want to know more?

You can check out our: WCDSB GenAI Guidelines, infographics, and Innovation website: https://innovate.wcdsb.ca/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.