Creativity is essential. On the show this week we loved learning with Crayola's Cheri Sterman. Cheri is here to tell us all about the power of the upcoming Crayola Creativity Week.

Educators and families can register free for this event:

https://creativity-week.squarespace.com/

The conversation centers around Crayola Creativity Week, a free program designed to inspire and celebrate children's creativity. Cheri Sterman discusses the importance of nurturing creativity in children, the role of parents and educators in fostering creative confidence, and practical ways to integrate creativity into daily life. The event features a lineup of celebrity guests and aims to engage millions of children worldwide. The discussion emphasizes creativity as a vital life skill that benefits individual well-being and community building.

Ready to learn more about our amazing guest?

Cheri Sterman is a nationally recognized leader in child development and education, and a passionate advocate of creativity and the influence it has on a child’s future potential. Cheri most recently helped Crayola launch its advocacy initiative, Campaign for Creativity, which challenges conventional perceptions about creativity, sparking a new dialogue about the value of creativity and helping parents incorporate more creative moments into their children’s lives.

Cheri has served as vice-chair of the Partnership for 21st Century Learning and on the executive boards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the National Child Development Council. Cheri helps educators and community leaders expand their creative thinking. She hosts Crayola monthly online programs including: The Art of Learning, and Read Along-Draw Along where she interviews authors, illustrators, art therapists, and educators.

Cheri has served as a consultant to the National Governors Association, White House Commission on Children and Youth, Children’s Defense Fund, and the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities’ Turn-Around Schools Initiative.

You can connect with her on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheri-sterman-6862351ba/

Learn more about this week's show sponsor:

https://www.neulight.io/?utm_source=shiftingschool&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=fallsponsorship&utm_id=1

Erich Bolz is deeply versed in the field-tested Powerless to Powerful transformation frameworks developed by Gonzaga University professors Chuck Salina and Suzann Girtz which, when implemented with fidelity, are proven to increase student achievement and staff satisfaction. Utilizing cognitive coaching approaches, Erich helps school leaders and central office administrators (including Special Education directors) make sense of their day-to-day challenges while fostering transformational breakthroughs in both their work and personal lives.

Today on the show Erich and Jeff have a conversation about effective educational transformation. They also emphasize the importance of servant leadership and mission clarity in creating a positive school culture. The conversation also touches on leadership coaching, data-driven decision-making, and strategies for narrowing the achievement gap. They conclude by discussing the challenges of recruiting and retaining teachers in the current educational landscape.

Connect with Erich, his work and podcast:

https://bolzleadership.com/

https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/outliers-in-education-from-cee/id1577590456

In this conversation, Jeff Utecht and Professor Brent Warner explore the intersection of AI and education, particularly focusing on multilingual learners. They discuss how AI can empower students to take control of their learning, the innovative techniques for vocabulary building through prompting, and the importance of teaching prompt engineering skills.  Brent shares insights on redesigning rubrics to be more equitable and effective, while also emphasizing the importance of transparency in using AI in educational settings. The conversation culminates in Brent's upcoming book aimed at helping teachers integrate technology into their classrooms for multilingual learners.

Learn more about our guest:

Brent Warner is an award-winning community college professor focusing on integrating technology and innovation into the language learning process. He works with teachers and organizations across the globe to provide practical advice for helping English Language Learners take advantage of tech to help them communicate more clearly. He blogs about technology integration in the ESOL classroom for TESOL International, and he is the co-host of The DIESOL Podcast, focusing on innovation in ESOL.

www.BrentGWarner.com

 www.DIESOL.org

https://brentgwarner.com/book/

https://www.tesol.org/blog/posts/using-ai-to-build-vocabulary-3-approaches/

Thank you to our show sponsor:

https://www.neulight.io/?utm_source=shiftingschool&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=fallsponsorship&utm_id=1

In this episode of Shifting Schools, Jeff Utecht interviews Jose, founder and CEO of Neulight, about the transformative potential of AI in education. They discuss IntelliTier, which enhances the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) framework by simplifying data collection and providing personalized intervention strategies for students. Jose shares insights on the importance of user experience for teachers, the feedback received from early adopters, and the future of data-driven decision-making in education. The conversation emphasizes the need for technology to support educators in their roles, allowing them to focus more on student interaction rather than administrative tasks.

Jose's journey is nothing short of inspiring. As the son of Salvadoran immigrants who fled civil war, he's risen to become a tech innovator at giants like Microsoft and Netflix. Now, he's on a mission to revolutionize education through technology.

During his nearly decade-long tenure at Netflix, Jose led groundbreaking projects, including initiatives that brought in millions of new subscribers. But his most exciting venture is yet to come.

Learn more:

Neulight

Connect with Jeff and Tricia and look out for more ways to learn with them:

https://www.shiftingschools.com/

In this conversation, Tricia and Laura discuss the intersection of ableism, artificial intelligence, and education. They explore how AI can serve as an assistive device to enhance access and equity, particularly in educational settings. Laura shares personal experiences and insights on how AI can foster curiosity and agency in learners, especially those with disabilities. They also touch on the importance of community support and sharing knowledge to create a more inclusive environment for all.

Ready to learn more about our amazing guest?

Laura Germishuys is a speaker and disability consultant, focusing on accessibility, workplace accommodations and transition coaching. She leverages AI to find creative solutions in the disability space. Laura was a learning professional for seven years specialising in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and believes strongly in the transformative potential of technology for equity in education. She cares deeply about animal rights, sustainable development, and social justice.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-germishuys-she-her-781278104/

Post AI in the Living Room

Thank you to our show sponsor for supporting us

Learn more

Reed Hepler discusses the changing role of archival work in the era of generative AI. He explains that while some may think archives and AI are incompatible, there are actually many ways in which AI can be useful in archival work. Reed also demystifies the role of archivists, highlighting their responsibility in acquiring, organizing, preserving, and interpreting historical records. He emphasizes the importance of structure, objectives, and perspectives in creating archives and offers insights into how AI can assist in the archival process. Reed also discusses the skills required for archival work, including curiosity, attention to detail, and the ability to find interest in seemingly mundane tasks. He compares generative AI tools to musical instruments, emphasizing the human element in using these tools effectively. Reed also advocates for open access and equitable access to information in education.

Connect with our guest:

Reed Hepler is a digital initiatives librarian, instructional designer, artificial intelligence practitioner and consultant, and M.Ed. student at Idaho State University in the Instructional Design and Technology program. He obtained a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science, with emphases in Archives Management and Digital Curation, from Indiana University. He received a Bachelor’s Degree in History with minors in Anthropology and Religious Studies as well as a Museum Certificate. He has worked at nonprofits, corporations, and educational institutions encouraging information literacy and effective education. Combining all of these degrees and experiences, Reed strives to promote ethical librarianship and educational initiatives. Currently, Reed works as a Digital Initiatives Librarian at a college in Idaho and also has his own consulting firm, heplerconsulting.com. His views and projects can be seen on his LinkedIn page or his blog, CollaborAItion, on Substack.

Contact him at [email protected] for more information.

heplerconsulting.com

 reedhepler.substack.com

Thank you to our sponsors!

Neulight.io

Learn more about the upcoming FETC event:

https://www.fetc.org/

In this episode, we sit down with Fiona Goodall, a leading expert on the social applications of assistive technologies. Fiona helps us understanding how emerging technologies, particularly AI, can benefit neurodivergent learners and support social-emotional development.

We'll explore a compelling use case where AI is being leveraged not just for academics, but to help foster friendships and meaningful connections. Fiona will also share her perspective on the need for cautious optimism when it comes to AI - a mindset she believes is critical as this powerful technology continues to advance.

Learn more about our special guest:

Making Connections Toowoomba was founded by Fiona Goodall, a Special Educator with over 20 years’ experience. Fiona holds a Bachelor of Education and Master of Special Education. She is also a certified facilitator of the PEERS® Program, Peaceful Kids Mindfulness and Positive Psychology programs, and is a  certified facilitator of LEGO® Based Therapy. Fiona has a professional and personal interest in Mindfulness and Meditation. She is a Registered Meditation Teacher with the Meditation Association of Australia, and is currently studying a Diploma of Counselling.

Fiona has worked across all education sectors, including specialist autism settings, special education settings and mainstream schools, both in Australia and abroad.  Fiona stepped into the private sector so she could devote her professional time, passion, and expertise to working directly with neurodivergent young people, and their families.

Fiona is a member of the Positive Partnerships Delivery Team, working with caregivers and educators of school-aged children on the autism spectrum to provide evidence-informed information through face-to-face and online workshops. Fiona is also a member of the Positive Partnerships Educators Reference Group.

Connect with her:

https://www.makingconnectionstoowoomba.com.au/

 https://www.facebook.com/makingconnectionstoowoomba/

 https://www.instagram.com/makingconnectionstoowoomba/

Many thanks to our sponsors for making this conversation possible:

https://www.lebrahq.com/

On this week we speak with Dr. Federica Fornaciari, who is a Professor, a researcher, a children’s book author, and the Academic Program Director for the MA in Strategic Communications at National University.

She received a doctorate in Communication with a concentration in Electronic Security and Privacy from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication from Marshall University.

 Her research and teaching revolve around emerging technologies, privacy issues, digital identities, frame theory, and media representation. Federica has published several peer-reviewed articles and book chapters including “The silver generation and beauty: does American culture provide models for positive ageing?” in Critical Studies in Fashion & Beauty; “Reframing Hate: The Changing Face of White Power Narratives” in Discourse Analysis and Conflict Studies. “What is Privacy Anyway? A Longitudinal Analysis of Media Frames of Privacy” in the Journal of Intellectual Freedom and Privacy, and “Pricey privacy: Framing the economy of information in the digital age” in First Monday. A storyteller at heart, Federica recently published her first children’s book titled “Rosa & Cammy: From Reggio to the World” to cultivate cultural bridges and ignite young minds with the magic of imagination. Federica’s multifaceted journey embodies the spirit of exploration, nurturing intellectual growth, and fostering connection amidst the ever-evolving landscape of communication.

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Dr. Fornaciari discusses the concept of technological sublime and its application to AI. The technological sublime refers to the awe, admiration, and fear that arise when encountering a monumental technological advancement. AI, particularly generative AI, elicits a sense of technological sublime due to its ability to push the boundaries of human creativity and intelligence. However, there is also a sense of apprehension and concern about the societal impacts of AI and the potential loss of human values. The conversation also touches on the importance of privacy, media literacy, and critical thinking in the age of deepfakes. 

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Learn more about our guest:

https://www.nu.edu/degrees/arts-and-humanities/faculty/federica-fornaciari/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/federica-fornaciari/

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Thank you to our show sponsor:

Lebra

https://www.lebrahq.com/

Professor Anna Mills discusses the evolving landscape of AI literacy in education, emphasizing the need for a balanced approach to integrating AI into writing and learning processes. She reflects on the challenges of defining boundaries for AI use in academic settings, the importance of fostering intrinsic motivation among students, and the necessity of bridging the gap between K-12 and higher education. 

Anna Mills has taught writing at public two-year colleges in the San Francisco Bay Area for 18 years and currently teach at College of Marin. Her OER textbook, How Arguments Work: A Guide to Writing and Analyzing Texts in College, has been used at over 65 colleges. She serves as the English Discipline Lead for the California community colleges OER Initiative, and her collection AI Text Generators and Teaching Writing: Starting Points for Inquiry is featured in the Writing Across the Curriculum Clearinghouse. As a consultant for OpenAI, she tested GPT-4 before its release. Currently, she serves as volunteer advisor on the teacher-created app MyEssayFeedback.ai and as faculty for the AAC&U Institute on AI, Pedagogy, and the Curriculum. As a member of the MLA/CCCC Task Force on Writing and AI, she helped launch Exploring AI Pedagogy: A Community Collection of Teaching Reflections.

Connect with our guest:

www.annarmills.com

 https://x.com/AnnaRMills

 https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-mills-oer/

Thank you to our amazing show sponsor!

Neulight

In this episode, Jeff Utecht interviews Michelle Kassorla, an associate professor of English at Georgia State University, about using generative AI in higher education. They discuss the importance of teaching AI literacy, the role of AI in the writing process, and the benefits of using AI to support student learning. Michelle shares her insights on assessment, transparency, and the creative opportunities that AI provides for students. She also discusses the development of AI literacy standards for higher education and offers practical tips for integrating AI into the classroom.

Michelle Kassorla, Ph.D., an Associate Professor at Georgia State University, Perimeter College, has more than 30 years of experience teaching English and Composition. She teaches With and Against AI in Composition I and II courses, integrating AI into all assignments this academic year. She's on the AI Expert Panel for EDUCAUSE, leading the AI Literacy committee for Higher Education. A recipient of a Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning, and Online Education fellowship, she published "Teaching with GAI in Mind" in the EDUCAUSE Review and co-authors a textbook and papers with Eugenia Novokshanova. She's a Co-Principal Investigator in the "Perceptions of AI" study at GSU. She shares her insights on LinkedIn and her blog, "The Academic Platypus." As a mother of eight boys, she's continually inspired to excel.

Connect with our guest:

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

Takeaways

Teaching AI literacy is crucial in higher education to help students understand the limitations and biases of AI models.

AI can be used to support the writing process by providing feedback on grammar and punctuation, generating topic ideas, and assisting with research.

Assessment should focus on voice, tone, audience, transparency, and accuracy rather than traditional grammar and punctuation.

AI can free up time for teachers to focus on higher-order thinking skills and creative aspects of writing.

Developing AI literacy standards for higher education can help guide educators in teaching AI effectively.

Thank you to our amazing show sponsor!

Lebra

https://www.lebrahq.com/