In this episode of Trailblazing Schools, Trudy Graham explores the nuances of choosing and using AI tools in education, emphasising the importance of context, cost, and critical questioning to maximise benefits and avoid pitfalls. She explores some criteria for choosing AI tools in education, the importance of existing AI familiarity and cost-benefit analysis of paid AI models. Trudy gives some examples of ways to prompt for more balanced and honest answers, and explains why regularly asking the AI to offer counter-arguments and uncover blind spots makes for better decision making.  

Resources:

Find out more about the Trailblazing Schools Partnership here: https://www.trudygraham.com.au/trailblazing-schools/ 

Find out more about the Leaders Learning Circle here https://www.trudygraham.com.au/leaders-learning-circle/

 Get your copy of AI in Action: Field Notes from School Leaders. It's free, practical, and designed to prompt your own next step. Download today at trailblazingschools.com/fieldnotes

 If this conversation resonated and you're exploring how to strengthen leadership in your school network or system, visit trudygraham.com.au/connect  to explore working together.

Credits

The Trailblazing Schools Podcast is hosted by Trudy Graham - https://www.trudygraham.com.au/

This podcast is edited and produced by Ellen Ronalds Keene from PERK Digital - https://perkdigital.com.au/

The theme music is Dusty Road by Indiebox

 Trudy Graham acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which she lives and is recording today, the Darumbal people, and pay my respect to elders past and present, for they hold a deep and continuing connection to the land, sea, and sky.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: Why AI choices matter in education

01:24 Common questions about AI for educators

02:35 The importance of context and access in choosing AI tools

04:18 Why your current AI tool is your best asset

07:31 Is paying for AI worth it? The value of subscriptions

11:23 How to prompt AI for balanced, honest answers

14:36 Customizing AI responses and settings for better outcomes

15:51 Practical next steps: Challenging AI before decision-making

AI in education, AI tools, decision-making, productivity, critical thinking, AI investment, prompt engineering, leadership, technology in teaching

In this episode of Trailblazing Schools, Trudy Graham explores how large language models/AI can support educators and leaders in various roles beyond simple editing or writing. Trudy focuses on 5 main roles, including data analysis, research, coaching, training, and consulting. She shares practical ways to leverage AI to enhance productivity and decision-making in schools, including a helpful prompt (see below) that you can get started with this week.

Prompt: “You are an [occupation] with high-level expertise in [a particular task]. What information do you need from me to create [output]?”

Example. “You are a workplace health and safety consultant with high-level expertise in education environments. What information do you need from me to complete a risk assessment?”

Resources:

Find out more about the Trailblazing Schools Partnership here: https://www.trudygraham.com.au/trailblazing-schools/ 

Find out more about the Leaders Learning Circle here https://www.trudygraham.com.au/leaders-learning-circle/

 Get your copy of AI in Action: Field Notes from School Leaders. It's free, practical, and designed to prompt your own next step. Download today at trailblazingschools.com/fieldnotes

 If this conversation resonated and you're exploring how to strengthen leadership in your school network or system, visit trudygraham.com.au/connect  to explore working together.

Credits

The Trailblazing Schools Podcast is hosted by Trudy Graham - https://www.trudygraham.com.au/

This podcast is edited and produced by Ellen Ronalds Keene from PERK Digital - https://perkdigital.com.au/

The theme music is Dusty Road by Indiebox

 Trudy Graham acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which she lives and is recording today, the Darumbal people, and pay my respect to elders past and present, for they hold a deep and continuing connection to the land, sea, and sky.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI roles in education

02:02 The challenge of wearing multiple hats in school leadership

03:15 AI as a productivity and thinking partner

04:13 Starting with AI for author and editor tasks

07:48 Using AI as a data analyst and researcher

10:44 AI as a coach for leadership development

13:11 AI as a trainer for skill development

14:31 AI as a consultant with reverse prompting

16:30 Practical steps to start using AI roles today

AI in education, large language models, data analysis, research, coaching, training, consulting, educational leadership

In this episode of Trailblazing Schools, Trudy Graham explores how school leaders can shift from operational chaos to strategic focus, emphasising the role of team dynamics and time management over technology like AI. Trudy shares a case study of client Lisa, who was struggling with the operational workload of school leadership. Though AI played a part in the transformation she achieved, it was not the key itself. Trudy explains that leadership transformation is more about structures, processes and team than it is about personality or technology. She leaves listeners with a practical action step to apply to the next team meeting on your calendar.

Resources:

Find out more about the Trailblazing Schools Partnership here: https://www.trudygraham.com.au/trailblazing-schools/ 

Find out more about the Leaders Learning Circle here https://www.trudygraham.com.au/leaders-learning-circle/

 Get your copy of AI in Action: Field Notes from School Leaders. It's free, practical, and designed to prompt your own next step. Download today at trailblazingschools.com/fieldnotes

 If this conversation resonated and you're exploring how to strengthen leadership in your school network or system, visit trudygraham.com.au/connect  to explore working together.

Credits

The Trailblazing Schools Podcast is hosted by Trudy Graham - https://www.trudygraham.com.au/

This podcast is edited and produced by Ellen Ronalds Keene from PERK Digital - https://perkdigital.com.au/

The theme music is Dusty Road by Indiebox

 Trudy Graham acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which she lives and is recording today, the Darumbal people, and pay my respect to elders past and present, for they hold a deep and continuing connection to the land, sea, and sky.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: Why leadership is more than AI

02:06 The common pattern of operational overload in schools

03:57 Research insights on middle leadership and workload

05:30 Lisa's story: from operational chaos to strategy

06:58 Tools and practices that foster strategic team meetings

08:17 The real role of AI in leadership transformation

09:56 Structural changes over personality in strategic leadership

10:48 Action step: shifting your meetings to strategic focus

11:53 Conclusion: Leadership is about the structures, not just the tools

school leadership, strategic planning, operational workload, team dynamics, AI in education, leadership transformation

In this episode of Trailblazing Schools, Trudy Graham explores how AI can serve as a powerful leadership coach by analysing your own interactions and patterns, revealing strengths, progress, and hidden gaps in leadership development. Trudy shares the exact prompt she used for over a year as part of a routine for personal development and professional growth. If you’re already regularly using AI, your conversation history is a leadership diary and AI can provide honest feedback and quick pattern analysis without emotional bias. Finally, Trudy leaves the listener with a practical activity as well as a philosophical question to help you reframe your AI use and become more self-aware.

Prompt: “Analysing all my engagements with you over the last seven days. What have been my strengths? Where have I made progress? And what are the gaps I may not be aware of?”

Resources:

Find out more about the Trailblazing Schools Partnership here: https://www.trudygraham.com.au/trailblazing-schools/ 

Find out more about the Leaders Learning Circle here https://www.trudygraham.com.au/leaders-learning-circle/

 Get your copy of AI in Action: Field Notes from School Leaders. It's free, practical, and designed to prompt your own next step. Download today at trailblazingschools.com/fieldnotes

 If this conversation resonated and you're exploring how to strengthen leadership in your school network or system, visit trudygraham.com.au/connect  to explore working together.

Credits

The Trailblazing Schools Podcast is hosted by Trudy Graham - https://www.trudygraham.com.au/

This podcast is edited and produced by Ellen Ronalds Keene from PERK Digital - https://perkdigital.com.au/

The theme music is Dusty Road by Indiebox

 Trudy Graham acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which she lives and is recording today, the Darumbal people, and pay my respect to elders past and present, for they hold a deep and continuing connection to the land, sea, and sky.

Chapters

00:00 The leadership feedback dilemma

01:30 AI as a leadership coach

02:28 The power of AI analysis

04:26 AI revealing your paper trail

08:28 Insights from AI analysis

10:48 Using AI for development, not just efficiency

12:01 Practical steps for leadership growth

AI leadership coaching, self-awareness, leadership development, AI tools, personal growth, leadership patterns, professional development, AI analysis, leadership insights, self-reflection

In this episode of Trailblazing Schools, Trudy explores the biases inherent in AI and large language models, drawing parallels with historical biases in publishing and education. She emphasises the importance of understanding these biases to use AI responsibly and ethically.

Trudy discusses the impact of bias on marginalised communities, strategies for recognising and mitigating bias and the importance of diverse training data to reduce bias in AI. Finally, she highlights the role of education in addressing bias and leaves the listener with some practical questions to reflect on.

Resources:

Find out more about the Trailblazing Schools Partnership here: https://www.trudygraham.com.au/trailblazing-schools/ 

Find out more about the Leaders Learning Circle here https://www.trudygraham.com.au/leaders-learning-circle/

 Get your copy of AI in Action: Field Notes from School Leaders. It's free, practical, and designed to prompt your own next step. Download today at trailblazingschools.com/fieldnotes

 If this conversation resonated and you're exploring how to strengthen leadership in your school network or system, visit trudygraham.com.au/connect  to explore working together.

Credits

The Trailblazing Schools Podcast is hosted by Trudy Graham - https://www.trudygraham.com.au/

This podcast is edited and produced by Ellen Ronalds Keene from PERK Digital - https://perkdigital.com.au/

The theme music is Dusty Road by Indiebox

 Trudy Graham acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which she lives and is recording today, the Darumbal people, and pay my respect to elders past and present, for they hold a deep and continuing connection to the land, sea, and sky.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction: Bias in AI and Education

01:56 Historical Bias in Data and Publishing

03:55 Representation Bias and Its Consequences

05:00 Publication Bias and Its Impact on Knowledge

06:07 Naming AI to Foster Critical Thinking

07:07 Bias Beyond Representation: What's Not Seen

08:04 Historical Power and Marginalized Voices

09:02 The Matilda Effect and Gender Bias

10:00 Bias in Publishing and Its Legacy

10:58 Practical Steps to Recognize Bias in AI

12:09 Encouraging Curiosity and Critical Inquiry

12:57 Closing Thoughts: The Role of Education and Inquiry

AI bias, large language models, representation, historical bias, education, ethical AI, diversity in publishing, bias in training data

In this episode of Trailblazing Schools, Trudy Graham interviews Dr. Joe Azzopardi. Joe shares insights on intergenerational relationship dynamics, leadership in diverse environments, and navigating uncharted territory with purpose and curiosity. 

Trudy and Joe discuss the role of empathy and understanding in teams, the importance of diversity of thought and perspective, and building resilient and inclusive communities. 

Discover how diversity, empathy, and data-informed decisions can transform organisations and communities.

Connect with Dr. Joe Azzopardi via his website https://www.unitethegenerations.org/
 or on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjoeazzopardi/

Resources:

Find out more about the Trailblazing Schools Partnership here: https://www.trudygraham.com.au/trailblazing-schools/ 

Find out more about the Leaders Learning Circle here https://www.trudygraham.com.au/leaders-learning-circle/

 Get your copy of AI in Action: Field Notes from School Leaders. It's free, practical, and designed to prompt your own next step. Download today at trailblazingschools.com/fieldnotes

 If this conversation resonated and you're exploring how to strengthen leadership in your school network or system, visit trudygraham.com.au/connect  to explore working together.

Credits

The Trailblazing Schools Podcast is hosted by Trudy Graham - https://www.trudygraham.com.au/

This podcast is edited and produced by Ellen Ronalds Keene from PERK Digital - https://perkdigital.com.au/

The theme music is Dusty Road by Indiebox

 Trudy Graham acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which she lives and is recording today, the Darumbal people, and pay my respect to elders past and present, for they hold a deep and continuing connection to the land, sea, and sky.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dr. Joe Azzopardi and his expertise

01:07 Joe discusses intergenerational dynamics and relationships

04:09 Joe shares his background in teaching and education

08:55 Core message: Leading into uncharted territory with purpose

11:50 Joe’s personal journey and overcoming challenges

14:39 What drew Joe to intergenerational work

18:30 Creating the world’s first intergenerational assessment tool

23:39 The value of diversity of thought and perspective

24:52 Aha moments in Joe’s intergenerational research

27:52 The importance of multi-generational communities

31:38 Core idea: We are better together with empathy

34:28 Leadership in a diverse, technological world

41:47 Practical steps for school leaders: Data and assessment

44:26 Connecting with Joe: Website and resources

45:04 Joe’s favourite book series for unwinding

47:58 Joy and comfort: Family time and switching off

intergenerational relationships, leadership, diversity, empathy, data-driven, innovation, change, education, community, AI

In this episode, Trudy begins by acknowledging the traditional custodians of the land where she lives and records, and explores the limitations of AI in handling cultural knowledge. Although timely with recent NAIDOC week activities, it’s important all year round that educators and school leaders are aware of the limitations when it comes to AI and cultural education. Trudy emphasises the importance of local knowledge and elder involvement in indigenous cultural education. She shares personal insights and practical steps for educators to responsibly incorporate AI tools as well as how to be aware of their limitations and edges.

Resources:

Find out more about the Trailblazing Schools Partnership here: https://www.trudygraham.com.au/trailblazing-schools/ 

Find out more about the Leaders Learning Circle here https://www.trudygraham.com.au/leaders-learning-circle/

 Get your copy of AI in Action: Field Notes from School Leaders. It's free, practical, and designed to prompt your own next step. Download today at trailblazingschools.com/fieldnotes

 If this conversation resonated and you're exploring how to strengthen leadership in your school network or system, visit trudygraham.com.au/connect  to explore working together.

Credits

The Trailblazing Schools Podcast is hosted by Trudy Graham - https://www.trudygraham.com.au/

This podcast is edited and produced by Ellen Ronalds Keene from PERK Digital - https://perkdigital.com.au/

The theme music is Dusty Road by Indiebox

 Trudy Graham acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land on which she lives and is recording today, the Darumbal people, and pay my respect to elders past and present, for they hold a deep and continuing connection to the land, sea, and sky.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Acknowledgement of Land

00:32 Personal Connection to Indigenous Art and Community

01:29 The Significance of Cultural Impact and Mentorship

02:13 The Timing of the Conversation: AI and Cultural Content

03:22 Background on NADOC Week and Its Significance

04:20 Risks of Using AI for Cultural Content

05:45 Assessing Online Cultural Knowledge of the Drumble People

06:43 The Limitations of AI-Trained Data on Indigenous Cultures

07:55 Experiments with AI on Local Cultural Tools

09:32 Fluency vs. Accuracy in AI Responses

10:41 Risks of Local and Hyper-Local Cultural Knowledge

11:29 The Importance of Cultural Authority and Fact-Checking

12:02 Knowing AI’s Strengths and Weaknesses in Cultural Content

12:37 Content Responsibility and Community Trust

13:06 Practical Steps for Educators: Engaging Cultural Authorities

14:23 Closing Remarks and Call to Action

AI in education, cultural knowledge, Indigenous communities, responsible AI, NADOC week, community engagement, educational content, cultural protocols, local knowledge, ethical AI

In this episode, Caroline White, relieving Principal at Sir Eric Woodward School in NSW, shares her insights on the complexities of school leadership and how AI can be used to support inclusive education. Caroline and Trudy discuss balancing multiple roles as a school principal and how AI can reduce cognitive load and administrative stress. Caroline shares how Sir Eric Woodward School is using technology to support inclusive learning environments, increase accessibility of communication tools for students, and foster collaboration and shared learning amongst educators. 

Connect with Caroline via the school website https://sirericwoo-s.schools.nsw.gov.au/

Resources:

Find out more about the Trailblazing Schools Partnership here: https://www.trudygraham.com.au/trailblazing-schools/ 

Find out more about the Leaders Learning Circle here https://www.trudygraham.com.au/leaders-learning-circle/

 Get your copy of AI in Action: Field Notes from School Leaders. It's free, practical, and designed to prompt your own next step. Download today at trailblazingschools.com/fieldnotes

 If this conversation resonated and you're exploring how to strengthen leadership in your school network or system, visit trudygraham.com.au/connect  to explore working together.

Credits

The Trailblazing Schools Podcast is hosted by Trudy Graham - https://www.trudygraham.com.au/

This podcast is edited and produced by Ellen Ronalds Keene from PERK Digital - https://perkdigital.com.au/

The theme music is Dusty Road by Indiebox

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Caroline White and Her Role

03:42 Leading into Uncharted Territory

06:49 The Unique Context of Sir Eric Woodward School

09:39 Complexities of School Leadership

12:38 The Role of AI in Education

16:21 Professional Learning and AI Implementation

19:01 Impact of AI on Teaching and Learning

22:00 Creating a Culture of Shared Learning

24:58 Advice for Principals on AI Integration

27:37 Final Thoughts and Personal Reflections

AI in education, inclusive education, school leadership, professional development, educational technology

In this episode, Trudy explores the impact of AI on workload and productivity, highlighting the paradoxes and challenges that come with technological advancements in education and work. Trudy begins by mentioning the usual fears people share about AI, and outlines her own fears around AI causing an unintentional increase in workload for educators and school leaders. 

Trudy explores the research about AI and work intensification, explaining the way it can blur boundaries between work and non-work, and lead to inefficient multitasking and attention switching. This episode is a powerful reminder to reflect on how AI is changing your work habits and workload.

Resources:

Find out more about the Trailblazing Schools Partnership here: https://www.trudygraham.com.au/trailblazing-schools/ 

Find out more about the Leaders Learning Circle here https://www.trudygraham.com.au/leaders-learning-circle/

 Get your copy of AI in Action: Field Notes from School Leaders. It's free, practical, and designed to prompt your own next step. Download today at trailblazingschools.com/fieldnotes

 If this conversation resonated and you're exploring how to strengthen leadership in your school network or system, visit trudygraham.com.au/connect  to explore working together.

Credits

The Trailblazing Schools Podcast is hosted by Trudy Graham - https://www.trudygraham.com.au/

This podcast is edited and produced by Ellen Ronalds Keene from PERK Digital - https://perkdigital.com.au/

The theme music is Dusty Road by Indiebox

Chapters

00:00 Understanding the Fear of AI in Education

04:30 The Workload Paradox: AI's Double-Edged Sword

08:46 Task Expansion and Blurred Boundaries

12:53 The Human Bottleneck: Follow-Through Challenges

AI, workload, productivity paradox, education, work habits, generative AI, work intensification, boundaries, multitasking

In this insightful interview, Paul McGregor shares the power of asking better questions, leading with curiosity, and thinking long-term about legacy and impact. Trudy and Paul discuss the origin of the word ‘trailblazing’ and its metaphorical meaning, the role of curiosity and silence in effective communication, as well as the impact of leadership experiences on personal growth. They discuss the influence of technology and AI on leadership and work, and the need for discernment around adoption. Paul and Trudy finish discussing practical strategies for leaders to reduce stress, foster deeper understanding, and create meaningful change in their organisations, and one very impactful visioning question: “What would a good ancestor do?’

Connect with Paul via his website https://paulmcgregor.co.nz

Resources:

Find out more about the Trailblazing Schools Partnership here: https://www.trudygraham.com.au/trailblazing-schools/ 

Find out more about the Leaders Learning Circle here https://www.trudygraham.com.au/leaders-learning-circle/

 Get your copy of AI in Action: Field Notes from School Leaders. It's free, practical, and designed to prompt your own next step. Download today at trailblazingschools.com/fieldnotes

 If this conversation resonated and you're exploring how to strengthen leadership in your school network or system, visit trudygraham.com.au/connect  to explore working together.

Credits

The Trailblazing Schools Podcast is hosted by Trudy Graham - https://www.trudygraham.com.au/

This podcast is edited and produced by Ellen Ronalds Keene from PERK Digital - https://perkdigital.com.au/

The theme music is Dusty Road by Indiebox

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Paul McGregor and His Work

06:01 The Importance of Trailblazing and Asking Questions

11:00 Personal Leadership Journey and Lessons Learned

15:45 The Power of Deeper Questions in Leadership

20:46 Shifting from Answers to Questions in Leadership

22:35 The Power of Questions and Visioning for Future Generations

28:03 Transforming Leadership Through Curiosity and Empowerment

31:06 Discernment in Leadership Amidst Technological Advancements

35:33 Taking Action: Small Steps for Big Impact in Leadership

37:19 Finding Joy and Comfort in Leadership Challenges

leadership, questions, curiosity, education, legacy, impact, stress reduction, leadership development, future thinking