Designing Schools

This week I'm delighted to introduce you to Robert Dickson, CIO of Wichita Public Schools, one of the first to design an enterprise integration of AI across their large school district of 50,000 students, and 10,000 employees. Here are three core ideas Robert shares with us in this episode. You'll find all his information below, as I know this is one guest you'll definitely want to add to your network.

Robert Dickson's insights highlight the transformative power of AI in education, focusing on strategic planning, AI literacy, and preparing students for a rapidly changing workforce. His approach emphasizes the need for a balance between technological advancement and human-centered values. His journey not only illustrates the efficiency gains and innovation that AI can bring to educational settings but also underscores its broader implications for enterprise-level integration. 

Embracing AI in Education:

• Robert shares how he introduced AI in education, with a focus on how it can enhance the workflow for leaders, teachers, and staff in his district. He shares insights on utilizing AI for strategic planning and instructional improvement.
• “Every task I do, I start at 70% to 80%... Imagine what that frees your time up to do if 70% of a task is done for you.” - Robert Dickson

AI Literacy and Policy Development:

• Dickson discusses the importance of AI literacy among educators and developing policies for AI use in educational settings.
• “I’ve written an AI policy and I’ve revised it now twice... It's about setting guardrails but also enabling innovation and adaptation.” - Robert Dickson

The Role of AI in Future Workforce Development:

• The discussion touches on how AI is reshaping the skills needed in the future workforce, emphasizing adaptability and digital literacy.
• “Memorization is not how we produce a skilled workforce anymore... Intelligence is a commodity.” - Robert Dickson

Connect with Robert Dickson on LinkedIn to follow his journey and insights in integrating AI in education. His resources, articles, and ideas are some of the best on this topic.

Podcast: Listen in to "What the EdTech" Robert's podcast
Connect with Robert on X

Article: How Wichita Public Schools is Using Microsoft Copilot

I'd love to connect with you as well. You can join me on any of my platforms 

• Website: Dr. Sabba Quidwai's Website
• LinkedIn: Dr. Sabba Quidwai on LinkedIn
• Twitter: @askMsQ
• Instagram: @askMsQ

Reading List

Join the AI Bootcamp

Timestamps:

1:57 Why you should subscribe to ChatGPT
3:48 Introducing Rob
6:12 Rob's realization that AI can make a huge difference in education
8:44 How Rob uses AI to reach his goals with more efficiency
11:47 Time-saving with AI
13:41 Shifting the AI use from personal to enterprise level
18:40 The importance of being proactive when exploring AI, intead of just waiting to see what happens
21:11 Some skills and mindset for exploring  and incorporating AI
25:33 Design thinking as a method to approach AI
28:08 Design Thinking at the Orange County Department of Education
31:37 Improving work experience within large organizations using AI
35:29 How Rob implemented AI at enterprise level in practice
39:15 The SPARK framework for asking the right questions to AI
41:12 Some of Rob's prompting practices, guidelines and values at his organization
44:32 Introducing AI tools to students
46:36 The AI Bootcamp
47:40 Questions you should be asking going in 2024
50:42 Rob's books and resources recommendations

It's a familiar scene: organizations invest in team-building exercises and post-work gatherings to foster a sense of belonging. These proactive efforts are commendable, yet they only scratch the surface of a more profound challenge. True connectivity, it turns out, originates from a place within. In the absence of a well-defined set of core values, establishing profound and authentic relationships becomes an intricate endeavor.

Enter Brant Menswar, a proponent of a values-driven pathway to genuine connections. By delineating one's core values, individuals embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery. This heightened self-awareness lays the groundwork for forging meaningful relationships anchored in transparency and intentionality. In an era dominated by AI, a poignant question emerges: how do we mold our identity amidst the onslaught of technological progress?

Brant delves into this thought-provoking inquiry, advocating for an alignment of AI's influence with human values. He reframes the discourse from one of control to one of amplification, positioning AI as a tool to magnify our values and stimulate growth with purpose.

Education, as a domain, is not untouched by this paradigm shift. Leveraging AI's potential, educators can imbue the educational landscape with core values, bestowing a sense of purpose upon students beyond the academic realm. Brant's quintet of fundamental values—connection, authenticity, integrity, personal growth, and creativity—serve as navigational markers, guiding individuals toward a more enriching existence.

The transition to a process-oriented approach, however, is not without its complexities. Brant addresses these challenges, offering valuable insights on navigating this transformative endeavor. Educators, too, receive counsel on making decisions in alignment with their core values and those of their students, elevating the educational experience.

In a world characterized by swift technological evolution, Brant's counsel stands as a beacon of wisdom. He encourages us to embrace process-oriented objectives, inviting us to weave our values into every facet of life. This expedition leads individuals not merely toward connection but also to a profound sense of purpose, shaping lives of heightened significance.

00:00 Introduction
1:06 Introducing Brant Menswar and his approach to figuring out your values
2:25 Who do you choose to be in a world driven by AI?
4:42 Brent's views on AI as a creator and its values
6:25 Using AI to reframe and amplify your values, not to try to control outcomes
12:2 Amplifying values with AI in educational contexts
14:46 Brant's 5 core values: connection, authenticity, integrity, personal growth, and creativity
22:20 How to actually use these 5 values after identifying them
26:53 Main challenges when transitioning to a process oriented goal pursuit
31:14 How can educators make decisions based on their own core-values as well as their student's
38:19 Brant's advice for making the transition to process oriented goals

Connect with Brant:

Website: https://www.brantmenswar.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brantmenswar/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brantmenswar/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrantMenswar/

Connect with Sabba:

Website: https://designingschools.org/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designing_schools/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabba-quidwai/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/askmsq/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SabbaQuidwai/videos

Discover the power of the human advantage in the age of AI in this podcast episode! I explore how to harness our uniquely human skills in a world where artificial intelligence, like ChatGPT, is rapidly advancing. Plus, learn about my new framework, SPARK, designed to help you maximize the potential of ChatGPT for growth and success. Tune in for an engaging conversation that will inspire and equip you for the future.

Link to Resources

In a world where AI is advancing rapidly, it's easy to feel like our jobs and skills are at risk of becoming obsolete. But according to Duncan Wardle, former head of creativity and innovation at Disney, there are four human traits that will give us a competitive edge over machines.

In this episode, we explore these four traits - curiosity, creativity, imagination, and intuition - and learn how they can help us succeed in a tech-driven world. Duncan shares insights on why these traits are so valuable and how they will become increasingly important in the years to come.

As he points out, these skills are ones we were all born with and will be the most employable in the next decade precisely because they are the hardest to program into AI.

Join us as we explore what it means to be human in the age of AI, and discover how these four human traits can help you unlock your full potential and thrive in the years ahead.

Watch the documentary

Connect with Sabba

In this episode I share a keynote I gave a few weeks ago at a conference titled, "Using Design Thinking and Artificial Intelligence to Reclaim Your Time."

Do you want to bring this motivation and optimism to your campus? When we use technology to reduce teacher burnout, and increase impact with learners we all thrive.  Click here to bring this talk and workshop experience to your campus. 

Overview:

In this episode, educator and researcher Sabba Quidwai shares her insights on the power of design thinking in transforming education. She discusses the importance of empathy, problem-solving, and collaboration in creating cultures of innovation, and offers practical tips for teachers and administrators on how to incorporate design thinking into their work. She also introduces the concept of AI as a thought partner in the design thinking process and shares examples of how tools like ChatGPT can be used to accelerate innovation and improve student learning.

Resources: 

• Blog: Using Design Thinking and Artificial Intelligence
• Free Guide: Using LinkedIn as a Leader (Adults)
• Design Your Future Course (Students)

Connect with Sabba:

Website | LinkedIn | Watch the Documentary

In today's rapidly evolving world, the role and purpose of education are constantly being redefined and reevaluated. With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), the demands of the job market are shifting, and new skills are becoming increasingly valuable. So, what is the purpose of school in this new age?

Traditionally, schools have served as places for students to learn fundamental skills and knowledge necessary for success in life, such as reading, writing, and basic arithmetic. However, in the face of advancements in AI, this definition of success is shifting. For example, with the rise of automation, many routine tasks previously performed by humans are now done by machines. This means that the skills required for success in today's job market are changing, and schools must adapt to keep pace.

One of the most important purposes of school in today's world is to teach students how to think critically and solve complex problems. AI is capable of performing routine tasks much faster and more efficiently than humans, but it does not possess the same level of creative problem-solving abilities. This means that jobs that require critical thinking and problem-solving skills are becoming increasingly valuable, and schools must equip students with these skills to help them succeed in the workforce.

Another important purpose of school is to help students develop emotional intelligence and social skills. Despite the advances in AI, machines still lack the emotional intelligence and empathy necessary to build meaningful relationships with others. This means that emotional intelligence and social skills will remain essential to success in both personal and professional life. Schools can help students develop these skills through activities such as group projects, team-building exercises, and emotional intelligence training.

Finally, schools must also help students prepare for a future that is rapidly changing and uncertain. In this new age of AI, it is impossible to predict exactly what jobs will be available in the future or what skills will be required. Therefore, schools must focus on helping students develop lifelong learning skills, such as the ability to adapt to change and continuously learn new things. This will help them remain employable and successful in a world where AI is likely to continue disrupting the job market.

In conclusion, the purpose of school in today's world with AI is to equip students with the critical thinking and problem-solving skills, emotional intelligence, and lifelong learning skills necessary for success in a rapidly changing job market. By preparing students for the future, schools can help ensure that they are well-equipped to thrive in a world where AI is playing an increasingly important role.

0:24 Today's topic: what's the purpose of school in today's world with AI
1:49 Seth Godin's Linchpin: what's a linchpin?
4:18 The importance of creating Art according to Seth
6:27 What are schools for?
7:45 Design thinking can help schools transition from isolation to colaboration
11:17 Seth's words to teachers: understand the difference between authority and responsability
12:48 How can school leaders make the most of new techonologies?
15:53 A message to today's learners from Seth

Connect with me, Dr. Sabba Quidwai:

Website: https://designingschools.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabba-quidwai/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/askMsQ
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designing_schools/

Transferring Skills from the Classroom to the Corporate World with Danielle Cevallos

It’s not everyday that I have a guest whose story encompasses elements of design thinking in both their personal and professional lives. 

In this episode Mokhtar Alkhanshali, whose NYT Bestselling Author Dave Eggers calls “The Monk of Mokha” shares how his curiosity in the origins of coffee allowed him to build a life at the intersection of his passion and purpose. 

Join The LinkedIn Leader course waitlist.

To learn more about Designing Schools click here. 

With everyone talking about ChatGPT and the acceleration of AI today's conversation is with economist and author Erik Brynjolfsson on why we should race with the machine not against the machine. He shares why we have to return to a conversation about our values and vision to guide the decisions we make as we reinvent education for what he calls The Second Machine Age. 

When we step back and assess the risks and rewards of existing and emerging technologies in the context of the needs of our learners we create a culture of innovation built on empathy. 

Template: Dowload the free template to have a conversation about "Obstacles and Opportunities" with your team. If you are talking about AI you can use this episode for inspiration

Learn more about Erik's work here. 

Learn more about Designing Schools here. 

Both personal and professional development can be improved through social media. There are many tools that can be used to share stories, ideas, and build relationships.

Social media is the perfect medium for boosting creativity and encouraging innovation since it is not restricted by any physical or geographic boundaries. It's a powerful platform for those with innovative ideas to express their thoughts and share experiences. There are a number of strategies one can use on social media that can help to create deeper connections with their followers, create greater awareness of their creative endeavors, achieve objectives relating to a product launch, and also motivate people working collaboratively on projects.

Please welcome the Building Services crew from the Santa Ana Unified School District to this episode. JJ, Gabriel, Lisette, and Emanuel are all wonderful people. They all agreed that having a voice was the most important aspect of leading through social influence. We'll discuss how the SAUSD team moved from being no one to becoming someone people talked about.

0:00 Introduction
1:24 Intrroducing the Building Services team
3:43 What inspired the team to create a social media presence
8:21 How did the team amplify their voice through their online presence
11:34 Some fears and proud achievements from the team during the pandemic
22:04 Some surprises met by the team on their journey with social influence
31:42 Discussing the power of relationships between support staff and students
34:36 Some stories from the team about relationships between students and staff
43:48 Messages from the team members to transformational leaders

Leading Teams That Work Better Together Workshop: https://designingschools.org/workshops

Connect with SAUSD

Website: https://www.sausd.us/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/santaanausd/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SantaAnaUSD
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sausd/

Connect with me, Dr. Sabba Quidwai:

Website: https://designingschools.org/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabba-quidwai/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/askMsQ
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/designing_schools/