Educast 3000

In this episode, Melissa Loble and Ryan Lufkin chat with Dr. Lane Freeman, Director of Online Instruction at the North Carolina Community College System, about the transformative potential of generative AI in education. Dr. Freeman shares his journey from traditional teaching to embracing AI tools, emphasizing the importance of pedagogy and active learning strategies. The three discuss the importance in building trust among educators, the practical applications of AI in the classroom, understanding AI biases, and the future of personalized learning. They explore how AI can enhance teaching efficiency, bridge gaps in career and technical education, and personalize learning experiences for students. 

Takeaways:

• Generative AI is a transformative tool for education.
• Active learning strategies are essential for student engagement.
• Building trust is crucial for educators to experiment with AI.
• AI can assist in lesson planning and instructional strategies.
• Understanding AI biases is important for effective use.
• Providing context enhances AI interactions and outcomes.
• Personalized learning can revolutionize student experiences.
• Educators must embrace experimentation with AI tools.
• AI's potential is still being explored and understood.
• Institutional barriers must be navigated for AI adoption. 
• Teachers need to experiment with AI to see its benefits.
• AI can reduce lesson planning time for educators.
• Using AI is a new way of conducting research.
• AI can help connect different fields of study.
• Students should learn to reference AI-generated content.
• AI can facilitate personalized learning experiences.
• Collaboration between educators and AI can enhance learning.
• AI tools can help students understand real-world applications.
• The workforce will be transformed by AI technologies.
• Educators should integrate AI into their teaching strategies.

In this episode of Educast 3000, hosts Ryan Lufkin and Melissa Loble engage with Dr. Jeff Faust, Chief Technology Innovation Officer at Chesapeake Public Schools, to explore the future of assessment in K-12 education. They discuss the evolution of student assessment, the impact of technology and AI, and the challenges educators face in navigating political landscapes while striving for authentic assessment methods. Dr. Faust emphasizes the importance of understanding the 'why' behind educational practices and the need for personalized learning pathways for students. He advocates for a culture that embraces AI as a tool for enhancing education rather than a threat, and discusses the necessity of aligning educational values with community needs.

In this episode of the Educast 3000 podcast, hosts Ryan Lufkin and Melissa Loble welcome Sarah DeMark, Vice President of Workforce Intelligence and Credential Integrity at Western Governors University (WGU). Together, they explore Sarah's extensive background in education and assessment, the significance of competency-based education (CBE), and the evolving landscape of skills-based learning. They discuss the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in education, the role of the Open Skills Network, and the importance of lifelong learning in today's workforce. Sarah shares valuable insights on change management, the future of CBE, and how institutions can better align their programs with employer needs. The episode concludes with advice for both educational institutions and technology vendors on how to support the shift towards skills-based education.

Takeaways

• Change management is crucial for successful implementation.
• Competency-based education focuses on skills and competencies rather than seat time.
• WGU serves working adults with relevant experience.
• AI can enhance assessment integrity and efficiency.
• Skills-based learning is essential for workforce alignment.
• Lifelong learning is necessary in a rapidly changing job market.
• The Open Skills Network aims to bridge the gap between education and employment.
• Employers need clear communication about skills and competencies.
• Students should understand the relevance of their coursework to real-world skills.
• Collaboration between education and industry is vital for success.

In this episode of Educast 3000, hosts Ryan Lufkin and Melissa Loble welcome Tess O'Brien, Senior Product Manager at Code.org. The conversation explores Tess's journey in education and technology, the impact of Code.org in promoting computer science education, and the integration of AI in teaching. Tess shares insights on the importance of a growth mindset, the role of AI in enhancing educational experiences, and the future of AI in education.

Takeaways:

• Growth mindset is essential for overcoming challenges in learning.
• Code.org aims to provide computer science education to every student.
• AI can significantly reduce grading time for teachers.
• The AI teaching assistant helps assess student projects effectively.
• Computer science skills enhance problem-solving abilities in all fields.
• AI literacy is crucial for students and educators alike.
• Collaboration in the education community is vital for AI integration.
• Future AI tools will focus on personalized learning experiences.

Recording *LIVE* from EDUCAUSE, Ryan and Instructure Chief Architect Zach Pendleton discuss the hot topics from this amazing conference: AI, the latest in edtech, personalized learning, and more!

Reference Materials:

Instructure’s Generative AI Innovations Aligned with US Department of Education, UNESCO & Other Global Policy Guideline

Anthropic Computer Use

Cogniti

In this episode of Educast 3000, Melissa Loble speaks with Tom Cavanaugh, Vice Provost for Digital Learning at the University of Central Florida. They discuss the evolution of online learning, the impact of COVID-19 on education, and the importance of supporting diverse learners. Tom shares personal anecdotes about teaching and mentoring, as well as insights into crisis management in education. 

TAKEAWAYS

• The Leadership Empowerment Program at UCF has had a significant impact on students.
• UCF has evolved from a commuter college to a vibrant metropolitan university.
• COVID-19 has changed perceptions of online learning, emphasizing the need for strategies.
• Diverse learners at UCF are supported through tailored services and quality course design.
• Crisis management in education requires understanding the human element behind online learning.
• Community collaboration is essential in education, especially during crises.
• AI is being integrated into educational practices to enhance efficiency and creativity.
• Quality in online learning is paramount and should not be compromised for ease of use.
• The future of online learning will be shaped by AI and the need for continuous quality improvement.

Jóhanna Birna Bjartmarsdóttir shares her journey of overcoming challenges with mental health and learning disabilities. She discusses her experiences with dyslexia, ADHD, and autism, and the lack of support she received in the traditional education system. Jóhanna emphasizes the importance of mental health access and education, and how her own experiences led her to advocate for others. She also shares her determination and persistence in pursuing her goals, and how she regained her confidence and assurance.

Johanna's story highlights the need for better support systems and understanding for students with diverse needs. Jóhanna also talks about her experience studying at the University of Florida and her passion for incorporating mental health and education. She also shares her journey of founding the company HEARTS (Health Access, Research, Technology, and Schools) to make educational environments more accessible. Jóhanna emphasizes the importance of assistive technology and understanding the why in education.

TAKEAWAYS

• The traditional education system often lacks support for students with mental health issues and learning disabilities.
• Access to mental health resources and education is crucial for students' well-being and success.
• Determination and persistence can help individuals overcome challenges and achieve their goals.
• Understanding and support for students with diverse needs is essential for creating inclusive and empowering learning environments. Online learning has provided new opportunities for the disability community to access education.
• Assistive technology, such as speech-to-text and text-to-speech software, can greatly support students with disabilities.
• Educators should focus on understanding the why behind their teaching and communicate it to students.
• Creating accessible educational environments is crucial for students with disabilities to thrive.
• Jóhanna's journey highlights the importance of perseverance, self-advocacy, and finding a purpose in education.

In this episode of EduCast3000, the hosts Ryan Lufkin and Melissa Loble interview Jenna Ashley, an instructional designer and accessibility specialist. They discuss the importance of accessibility in education and the challenges faced by institutions in implementing it. Jenna shares her personal experiences as a disabled individual and highlights the need for awareness and understanding of accessibility requirements. They also explore the future of accessibility, including the role of AI and machine learning in creating personalized and adaptive learning experiences.

Takeaways

• Accessibility in education ensures that all students have an equal opportunity to learn and succeed.
• Lack of awareness and understanding of accessibility requirements is a major challenge faced by institutions and educators.
• Mobile accessibility and universal design for learning are current trends in accessibility.
• AI and machine learning have the potential to enhance accessibility by providing personalized and adaptive learning experiences.
• Staying up to date on the latest innovations and regulations in accessibility can be done through blogs, newsletters, and professional development opportunities.
• Building content accessibly from the start is easier than remediating inaccessible content later on.

Related Links:

• Instructure Accessibility Hub 
• VPAT
• Accessibility Community Page
• Create Accessible Courses with Canvas 
• TPGI Color Contrast Analyzer 
• Colorblindly Chrome Extension 
• W3C Updates

In this episode, Ryan Lufkin and guest cohost Zach Pendleton interview Mary Strain, a leader in the generative AI and machine learning space at Amazon Web Services. They discuss Mary's background in education and technology, the potential of AI in education, and how institutions can get started with AI. They also explore the challenges of bias and fairness in AI and the importance of transparency and trust in AI partnerships. They  also emphasize the need for thoughtful and responsible use of AI in education.

Takeaways

• AI has the potential to enhance education by automating administrative tasks and providing personalized learning experiences.
• Institutions should focus on their strategic priorities and use AI to address areas of friction and inefficiency.
• Guardrails and technical resources can help mitigate bias in AI-generated content.
• Educational technology partners play a crucial role in bringing innovative AI capabilities to institutions.
• Transparency and trust are essential in AI partnerships. Selecting the right AI models for specific use cases is crucial for cost-effectiveness and performance.
• Transparency and compliance are important considerations when using AI in education.
• Customization and fine-tuning of AI models can lead to differentiated products and experiences.
• Generative AI can be challenging and may require careful implementation.
• Integration of AI into existing systems can provide holistic views of students and improve learning outcomes.
• Personalized learning and student support can be enhanced through the use of AI.
• Data governance and procurement processes are essential for responsible use of AI in education

In this episode of Educast3000, Melissa and Ryan interview Michelle Lattke, the Senior Director of Learning Services at Instructure. They discuss the creation and success of the Canvas Certified Educator Program, a professional development platform that offers certification for educators. Michelle shares her background as an educator and instructional designer, and how her passion for learning management systems led her to Instructure. She also talks about the importance of consistency, research-based content, and mastery evidence in course design. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the future of professional education and the role of AI in credentialing programs.

Takeaways

• The Canvas Certified Educator Program offers certification for educators and provides a rich professional development experience.
• Consistency, research-based content, and mastery evidence are important elements in course design.
• Micro learning and stackable credentials are the future of professional education.
• Motivation plays a crucial role in engaging learners in credentialing programs.
• AI can enhance the learning experience and provide personalized pathways for learners.