Episode 302: A Practical Roadmap for AI in K-12 Education with Mike Kentz & Nick Potkalitsky, PhD

In this episode of My EdTech Life, I had the pleasure of interviewing Mike Kentz and Nick Potkalitsky, PhD, to discuss their new book, AI in Education: The K-12 Roadmap to Teacher-Led Transformation. We dive into the transformative power of AI in education, exploring its potential for personalization, its impact on traditional teaching practices, and the critical need for teacher-driven experimentation. 

Here’s what you can expect in this insightful conversation: 

🕒 Timestamps 
00:30 Welcome & Introductions
02:24 Nick’s Journey: Humanities, AI, and Building Pragmatic AI Solutions 
04:19 Mike’s Path: From Financial Journalism to AI in Education 
07:31 How Their Book Came to Life & The Importance of Teacher-Led Transformation 
14:43 Mike’s Chapter on Grieving the Old Ways of Teaching 
22:35 Nick on AI’s Role in Moving From Standardization to Personalization 
29:36 The Dangers of "Tech Before Teacher" & Practical Advice for Schools 
35:57 The Car Engine Analogy: Understanding AI Without Being Overwhelmed 
40:39 AI Literacy vs. AI Training: The Critical Distinction 
47:00 Actionable Steps for Administrators & Teachers to Begin Their AI Journey 

🎧 Key Takeaways 
- Why educators must find a balance between cautious optimism and experimentation. 
- How AI highlights long-standing challenges in education and opens new doors for pedagogical reform. 
- Practical strategies for administrators and teachers to embrace AI thoughtfully and effectively. 

💡 Join the conversation and connect with Mike and Nick for more insights on AI in education. Their contact details and links to their book are in the show notes. 

Don’t forget to subscribe, share, and leave a thumbs-up if you enjoyed this episode! Let’s keep building a tech-savvy education community together. 

🔗 Visit us at www.myedtech.life for more incredible episodes and resources. 

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