Deep Learning Dialogues

In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, Jasmine Zhang, a PhD student at the University of Waterloo, discusses how digital media and AI companions impact the well-being of children, caregivers, and families. The conversation covers practical strategies for parents and educators, the role of trusted adults, digital literacy, and the challenges and opportunities of AI in mental health and education.

Jasmine received her Bachelor of Science (Honours Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour) from McMaster University in 2020 and her Master of Arts (Clinical Psychology) from the University of Waterloo in 2022. Since then, she has continued her studies at the University of Waterloo, where she is currently a Ph.D. student in the FamilyPsycle Lab. Her research examines how digital media influences the well-being of children and caregivers through a family-wide lens. Jasmine has also completed clinical training in providing psychoeducational assessment and intervention services for children, adolescents, and adults from various locations in Ontario, including the Centre for Mental Health Research and Treatment at the University of Waterloo, the Waterloo Region District School Board, and Hamilton Health Sciences.

Want to know more?

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

Want to get in touch? Contact Katrina & Whitney by email at: [email protected] and [email protected] or on LinkedIn

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Join us as Dr. Kelsey Leonard explores the groundbreaking concept of granting personhood to rivers and lakes, and discusses how Indigenous data sovereignty can transform water rights in the age of AI. Discover how traditional knowledge, legal innovation, and technology intersect to address water justice, protect Indigenous communities, and shape the future of global water governance. 

Please note: Due to recording issues in the second half, audio quality varies - however, the content remains compelling and we encourage you to stick with it. We've identified the issue and are taking steps to prevent it in future recordings.

Dr. Kelsey Leonard is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Environment at the University of Waterloo, where her research focuses on Indigenous water justice and its climatic, territorial, and governance underpinnings. Dr. Leonard seeks to establish Indigenous traditions of water conservation as the foundation for international water policymaking. 

Dr. Leonard has been instrumental in safeguarding the interests of Indigenous Nations for environmental planning and builds Indigenous science and knowledge into new solutions for water governance and sustainable oceans. In collaboration with a global team of water law scholars Dr. Leonard has published in Lewis and Clark Law Review on Indigenous Water Justice and the defining international legal principle of self-determination under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Her recent scholarship explores legal personhood for water and you can watch her TEDTalk here: TEDTalk “Why lakes and rivers should have the same rights as humans”

Want to know more?

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

Want to get in touch? Contact Katrina & Whitney by email at: [email protected] and [email protected] or on LinkedIn

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This episode of Deep Learning Dialogues explores how AI can empower young changemakers to address global sustainability challenges through the UN Sustainable Development Goals framework. Dr. Henrik von Wehrden and Jorge Gustavo Rodrigues Aboytes from Leuphana University share research showing that AI applications favour technical SDGs over social justice goals, creating important gaps in how technology addresses global challenges. The conversation emphasises K-12 students' natural capacity for systems thinking and advocates for using the SDGs as an interdisciplinary learning framework whilst positioning AI as both a powerful educational tool and an object of critical analysis. Key themes include teaching students to critically evaluate AI outputs and consider ethical implications—principles that align with WCDSB's emphasis on transparency, accountability, and human-centred approaches to AI in education.

Episode Links:

-Article "Artificial intelligence in sustainable development research"

-Sustainability Methods Website

-Leuphana Sustainable University

Henrik von Wehrden is the dean of the faculty of sustainability at Leuphana and member of the methods center. His work focuses on applying methods in a new context to create novel knowledge. His research spans across many spatial scales and groups of organisms, as well as explored the normative dimensions of methodological research.

Jorge Gustavo Rodrigues Aboytes holds an interdisciplinary background with degrees in chemical engineering, environmental sciences, and a PhD in Sustainability Science. After working as a consultant in the Mexican textile-fashion sector and enhancing his technical skills through WBS Coding School, he now serves as a Research Associate at the Center of Methods at Leuphana University of Lüneburg. His current focus is on analyzing data to provide solutions regarding sustainability impacts of supply chains, transitions toward sustainable models, and life-cycle assessment of products and services.

Want to know more?

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

Want to get in touch? Contact Katrina & Whitney by email at: [email protected] and [email protected] or on LinkedIn

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Join us for season 3! We have an incredible lineup of guests to look forward to. Be sure to subscribe or follow Deep Learning Dialogues in your favourite podcast player.

Want to know more?

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

Want to get in touch? Contact Katrina & Whitney by email at: [email protected] and [email protected] or on LinkedIn

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

Join Whitney and Katrina as they reflect on an incredible Season 2 of Deep Learning Dialogues! After 50 episodes exploring the intersection of AI and education, our hosts turn the tables and interview each other about their biggest takeaways, favourite moments, and the insights that continue to shape their thinking.

From Dr. Jean Clinton's reminder that "love builds brains" to Emmanuel Duplàa's challenge to embrace chaos in the classroom, discover which conversations changed their perspectives on everything from post-plagiarism pedagogy to AI consciousness. Whitney and Katrina also share how ideas from guests like Michael Fullan, Keri Ewart, and Chris Bronke are showing up in real classrooms across their school board.

As they prepare for a summer break (and Season 3!), this episode offers the perfect opportunity to revisit past conversations and dive deeper into the human-centered approach to AI in education that has defined their podcast journey.

Perfect for both long-time listeners and newcomers looking to explore the archives over the summer months.

You can contact Katrina & Whitney by email at: [email protected] and [email protected] or 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/

Want to get in touch? Contact Katrina & Whitney by email at: [email protected] and [email protected] or on LinkedIn

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

In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Bieronski, Growth Lead for Canada at Wayground (formerly Quizizz), to explore how this innovative EdTech platform is revolutionizing K-12 education through AI-powered tools that truly serve both educators and learners. As a former secondary teacher turned EdTech advocate, Andrew shares insights into Wayground's recent rebranding, their groundbreaking accommodations tool that automatically personalizes learning for every student, and why having educators at the heart of product development makes all the difference. We dive deep into the platform's impressive free-for-schools offering, discuss the critical importance of data privacy in educational technology, and discover how Wayground's UDL approach is helping teachers reduce their workload while still delivering personalized experiences for students across 40+ languages. Whether you're new to AI in education or looking for tools that genuinely understand classroom realities, this conversation reveals why Waterloo Catholic District School Board chose Wayground as their an approved generative AI solution and how it's setting a new standard for inclusive, teacher-friendly EdTech.

Andrew Bieronski served as the TELT consultant for the WRDSB for 6 years, and as a secondary educator for a decade prior to that. He looks to leverage technology to modernize pedagogy and assessment practices to improve learning and achievement and is a frequent presenter on these topics. Andrew is the Growth Lead in Canada for Wayground (formerly Quizizz), an educational technology company that is a leader in supporting educators with AI tools in the classroom to foster student learning and engagement. He recently finished his MEd. at WLU with a focus on research in the areas of innovation in educational organizations and the use of artificial intelligence in educational settings.

You can find Andrew on LinkedIn, Twitter, or by email at [email protected]

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/

Want to know more?

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

Want to get in touch? Contact Katrina & Whitney by email at: [email protected] and [email protected] or on LinkedIn

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

In this episode, we explore the groundbreaking "Empowering Learners for the Age of AI: An AI Literacy Framework for Primary and Secondary Education" with Veronica Ellis, a molecular biologist turned educator at TeachAI. Veronica shares her journey from studying bacteria to developing global AI curriculum, sparked by her experience teaching during the COVID pandemic when technology inequities became starkly apparent. We dive deep into the collaborative framework created by the European Commission, OECD, and Code.org, which structures AI literacy around four key domains: engaging, creating, managing, and designing with AI. Discover how the framework will be integrated into PISA 2029 assessments, making AI literacy a global educational priority, and learn about practical classroom applications. As Guest reminds us, "it's not a revolution, it's an evolution"—building on essential skills we've been teaching for years, just refocused for an AI-integrated world.

Veronica Ellis is a content developer and researcher at TeachAI, where she brings her unique background in molecular biology and environmental science to the challenge of integrating artificial intelligence into K-12 curriculum globally. A former 6th grade science teacher in Chicago Public Schools, Ellis' passion for AI education was sparked during the COVID-19 pandemic when she witnessed firsthand the technology inequities facing her students during the shift to remote learning. Growing up in Los Angeles surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and Santa Monica Mountains, her lifelong love of exploration led her to conduct research everywhere from the middle of the Pacific Ocean to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. As an employee of Code.org working within the TeachAI initiative—a collaboration between Code.org, Khan Academy, ISTE, ETS, and the World Economic Forum—Ellis co-developed the groundbreaking "Empowering Learners for the Age of AI: An AI Literacy Framework for Primary and Secondary Education" in partnership with the European Commission and OECD, which will be integrated into PISA 2029 assessments to establish global standards for AI literacy education.

You can find Veronica on LinkedIn

Other Resources:

-AI Literacy Framework

-Code.org AI Literacy Resources

Want to know more?

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

Want to get in touch? Contact Katrina & Whitney by email at: [email protected] and [email protected] or on LinkedIn

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

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dean Shareski, educator, author, and passionate advocate for meaningful learning in schools. Dean challenges common misconceptions about AI in education, arguing that technology's true value isn't just in saving time—it's in enhancing clarity and strengthening the human connections that drive learning. We explore why relationships between students and teachers become even more critical in an AI-enhanced world, discuss community-driven approaches to AI integration, and examine how technology can support teacher well-being rather than replace educators. Dean shares insights from his collaborative work with Advanced Learning Partners and the Waterloo Catholic District School Board, offering practical wisdom for districts navigating AI implementation together and a refreshingly human perspective on education's technological future.

Dean Shareski is an educator, author, speaker, and passionate advocate for joy and meaningful learning in schools. Dean has spent his career at the intersection of education and innovation, helping educators reimagine what’s possible in the classroom. A former teacher, curriculum consultant, and community manager at Discovery Education, Dean is widely known for his engaging presentations and his work on professional learning and digital pedagogy. Currently, Dean is partnering with Waterloo Catholic District School Board and Advanced Learning Partners on a province-wide initiative that brings together districts from across Ontario to mobilize and integrate Generative AI in meaningful and responsible ways. His leadership in this project is helping shape how schools across the province understand and leverage AI to support student learning and system transformation.

You can find Dean on LinkedIn and on his blog https://ideasandthoughts.org/about/

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/

Want to know more?

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

Want to get in touch? Contact Katrina & Whitney by email at: [email protected] and [email protected] or on LinkedIn

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

In this illuminating episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, we explore how educators can transform assessment practices in the age of AI. Our guest Michelle Sengara shares a powerful framework for "harmonized intelligence" that balances subject matter expertise with technical skills and human connection. Discover why assessment should be the first educational lever we consider—not the last—and how AI can serve as a design partner rather than a replacement for human judgment. This conversation offers both hope and practical strategies for educators navigating technology integration while preserving what matters most: meaningful human learning experiences.

As Director of Academic Innovation at York University, and a leading education strategist and consultant, Michelle Sengara is shaping the future of technology-enhanced learning. Her research and design work reimagines education as a dynamic ecosystem of interactions that foster Harmonized Intelligence®—the seamless integration of subject matter expertise, relevant technical aptitudes, and essential human capacities within ANY educational experience.

Because in a world of artificial intelligence, education needs to provide spaces and places where people can learn within relevant digital contexts, and with an emphasis on how we as humans are uniquely able to engage with information and ideas in versatile and valuable ways.

You can find Michelle at https://www.michellesengara.com/

Want to know more?

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

Want to get in touch? Contact Katrina & Whitney by email at: [email protected] and [email protected] or on LinkedIn

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

In this thought-provoking episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, we welcome Dr. Maria Vamvalis, an educator and researcher with over 20 years of experience in climate justice and transformative learning. She reveals the hidden environmental costs of AI—from carbon emissions to water consumption—and challenges us to reimagine our relationship with technology. Moving beyond a framework of speed, scale, and profit, Dr. Maria Vamvalis offers educators practical criteria for ethical AI use centered on justice, regeneration, and relationships, while sharing actionable strategies to develop critical thinking habits that prepare students to navigate our complex environmental future. You can read the episode summary article here.

Dr. Maria Vamvalis, is an educator, facilitator, and researcher with over 20 years of experience working at the intersection of climate justice, transformative learning, and regenerative systems change. Her doctoral work at the University of Toronto explores pedagogies beyond colonial models, while her pioneering initiatives include co-leading Canada's first national climate education course and the Toronto District School Board's Climate Camp. As a consultant with the Critical Thinking Consortium and collaborator with organizations globally, she facilitates inquiry-driven processes that support communities facing ecological challenges, creating spaces of learning that cultivate more just, regenerative futures through approaches centered on deep relationality.

You can find Maria on:

LinkedIn

Critical Thinking Consortium (TC²)

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/

Want to know more?

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

Want to get in touch? Contact Katrina & Whitney by email at: [email protected] and [email protected] or on LinkedIn

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