AI Real Talk: The Curiosity Connection

In this episode, Jethro Jones interviews Brent Zirkel, an elementary principal at Mary Welsh Elementary in Williamsburg, Iowa. They discuss how Brent is utilizing AI to create curriculum, making learning more engaging and transparent for both students and parents. Brent shares his experiences, challenges, and successes in integrating AI with education, including building websites, creating learning activities, and more. They also explore the importance of localized curriculum and the role of educators in the age of AI.Importance of curriculum being transparentMaking sure parents know exactly what we are teaching. Web sites for classroom. If you put yourself ou...

In this episode, Jethro Jones welcomes Adam Geller, the founder and CEO of Edthena. They discuss the new Observation Copilot tool, designed to streamline principals' feedback processes for teachers, and delve into the challenges and solutions regarding teacher observations. Adam shares insights on how this innovative tool bridges the gap, saving valuable time for principals while maintaining meaningful and timely feedback for teachers.Observation copilot. Streamlining feedback to teachers Where are your pain points in observing teachers. Making sure chickenscratch notes turn into valuable prose and you can generate valuable ideas.Quick turnaround time - Observe today and get...

In this episode, host Eli Davis welcomes his wife, Dr. Teaira McMurtry, to discuss the impact and use of artificial intelligence in education, personal life, and beyond. They delve into personal stories, professional insights, and practical advice for using AI tools effectively. The conversation covers AI's role in enhancing productivity, ethical considerations, and tips for beginners on how to get started with AI. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by Renaissance and IXL. Learn more about Renaissance: As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 countries, Renaissance is...

In this episode, Eli Davis speaks with Dr. Annette Teasdell, a nationally recognized scholar of urban education and an acclaimed author. Dr. Teasdell shares her journey, experiences, and insights on dyslexia, the transformative power of education, and the use of AI technologies to support students. The conversation delves into the significance of representation in education, the impact of dyslexia on different populations, especially African Americans, and the essential tools and strategies to help students overcome learning challenges. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by Renaissance and IXL. Learn more about Renaissance: A...

In this episode, Eli Davis welcomes Delquan Dorsey. They delve into their professional journeys, particularly focusing on Delquan's role in Jefferson County Public Schools, where he works on diversity, equity, and poverty initiatives. The conversation transitions to community development efforts, highlighting the importance of digital access and the challenges posed by the digital divide.The second part of the episode centers on the impact of AI on modern society and its potential to bridge or widen the technological gap. Eli and Delquan explore the future of AI in education, emphasizing the need for AI literacy and critical...

In this episode, host Eli Davis welcomes his longtime friend Dr. Marlena Ward Dodds. They explore artificial intelligence, particularly its impact on education and inclusivity, the challenges of online learning, and the digital divide. Dr. Dodds shares her insights and experiences with AI, both in higher education and in the broader context of learning and development. They also discuss the ethical implications and biases in AI, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking and equitable access to technology. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by Renaissance and IXL. Learn more about Renaissance: A...

In this first episode of 'Artificial Intelligence: Real Talk,' host Jethro D. Jones introduces Eli Davis, an educator and AI enthusiast, who will be taking over the podcast. The episode delves into the transformative power of AI in education, discussing personal stories and the potential of AI to empower educators and students. Eli shares insights on how AI can act as a tool for organization and creativity, and highlights upcoming guests and topics. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by Renaissance and IXL. Learn more about Renaissance: As a glo...

In this episode of A Vision for Learning, host Jethro Jones interviews Erik Francis, an expert in educational leadership and the creator of Maverik Education AI. Francis discusses the role of AI in education, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and critical thinking. Key points include:AI's Limitations: ChatGPT and other AI tools can sometimes produce inaccurate information due to the nature of their sourcing and synthesis processes.Depth of Knowledge (DOK):  Francis highlights the need for students to deeply understand their learning, moving beyond surface-level comprehension. He outlines how different levels of DOK correspond to various question types (e...

Today was office hours for AI, which I do every month. Join me!Kathryn asked a great question about how to adjust her bell schedule using AI.This is the ChatGPT Conversation about Polson Middle SchoolAnd this is the finalized schedule we came up with for Polson Middle School.We took her schedules from this page. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by Renaissance and IXL. Learn more about Renaissance: As a global leader in education technology operating in more than 110 cou...

In this episode of Vision for Learning, host Jethro Jones talks with Tim Desmond, a seasoned educator, entrepreneur, and writer with over 25 years of experience in educational innovation. Tim is the founder of New Educator AI, a platform aimed at preparing educational leaders for the challenges and opportunities presented by generative AI in education. The conversation delves into the evolution of AI technology, its impact on the educational landscape, and strategies for incorporating AI effectively in teaching and learning. They discuss the importance of directing AI creatively to generate engaging content, the potential of AI to democratize education, and...

In this episode we talk about an AI enhanced classroom. Using AI as a coplannerSuggestions on activities you could do. The AI is really trying to make you happy. How to iterate to get the AI to do the things you want it to.Whether we need prompting skills today or not?The power of collaborating. Watching prompt engineers do their work It’s very natural language, rather than a strict programming language.Diffit and SchoolAI are great AI solutions out there. Laurisa BlackAbout Bonnie NievesBonnie Nieves has an M.Ed. in C...

In this discussion, Jethro and Damon dive into the use of progressive web apps (PWAs) and local hosting of educational tools to create safer and more controlled learning environments. They touch upon their personal experiences with AI, the benefits and functionalities of PWAs, and specifically discuss a tool called Audio Pen AI. Further, they explore the concept of hosting educational chats and software locally, using examples like Campfire by 37 Signals, to prevent unnecessary exposure to the internet for students. The conversation also covers the potential for schools to adopt locally hosted software for edu...

This simulcast episode of Transformative Principal and A Vision for Learning features Ryan Palmbaum, founder and CEO of Dabbl Discovery, which is an educational platform offering bite-sized video learning aimed at helping people explore new interests and career paths through content created by experts across various industries. Ryan, an ex-collegiate and professional soccer player who lived in over ten countries before turning 20, discusses the importance of broad learning and not solely specializing in one area. He emphasizes the value of becoming a 'jack of all trades' to connect disparate industries and opportunities. The platform prioritizes ve...

In this episode, Jethro interviews Lauren Owens and they discuss her journey from teaching Spanish and student leadership to her current role as the executive Director of Technology at Agua Fria, where she has played a significant role in integrating artificial intelligence into schools. Lauren shares her insights on the indispensability of merging technology with curriculum and the importance of AI literacy in education. She stresses that AI has been part of educational systems for decades and highlights the necessity for creating frameworks like the AI care model (clarity, accuracy, relevance, ethics) and the stoplight sy...

This episode of 'A Vision for Learning' features a discussion with Aaron Makelky, a high school social studies teacher and entrepreneur from Casper, Wyoming, about the future of learning and the integration of artificial intelligence into education. Aaron shares insights from his experiments with using ChatGPT in classroom assignments, emphasizing the role of AI in automating tedious tasks and allowing teachers and students to focus on deeper learning. He advocates for a shift from traditional teaching methods to incorporating AI tools to prepare students for their future careers. The episode also touches on the...

In this episode of A Vision for Learning, host Jethro Jones invites AI literacy consultant, educator, and academic researcher, Nick  Potkalitsky. They discuss the significant role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the current and future education system. They explore the importance of building trust and transparency with students while integrating AI into learning practices. Nick shares insights into his teaching methodology, emphasizing that the AI tool works best at the beginning and end of the writing phase. However, he underlines the importance of ensuring AI does not replace critical thinking or become a helpline to avoid hard work b...

In this episode of 'A Vision for Learning', host Jethro Jones interviews Jamie Donally, a technology enthusiast and education consultant, known for her work in instructional technology and staff development training particularly in the field of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in classrooms. Jamie began her career as a math teacher and moved into instructional technology where she saw potential for immersive learning. Jamie provides insight into the practical applications of technology in education, emphasizing the importance of understanding objectives and goals before deciding on the implementation of technology. She also discusses the significant aspect of collaboration...

Welcome to A Vision for Learning on the BeatPodcast Network. I'm your host, Jethro Jones. Download the top 10 learning apps for Apple Vision Pro at avisionforlearning.com. Thanks for tuning in. Today, we discuss my experience one week after getting the Apple Vision Pro.A few things to note: First, it's not uncomfortable wearing it all day. Surprising, since I don't even like glasses. Second, my eyes get tired only when watching videos, like YouTube or movies. Another odd negative – sometimes it feels like suction cups on my eyes and leaves bags when I remove the headset....

Welcome to A Vision for Learning with your host, Jethro Jones. Follow me on social media @jethrojones. Today's question: Should I buy this for use in school? Can it be a tool in school? Is it too costly? Should every student have one? Is it worth it? I've used it since its release last week. It's great for productivity, and some features are incredible, like reading. But let's discuss its use for school.Apple designed a few things from the start that matter. First, they created an easy-to-access guest mode as a default. It lets you share...

Welcome to A Vision for Learning! Today, let's discuss using Apple Vision Pro for productivity. Apple promotes this, and I think they're right. I'm impressed with its capabilities.Recently, I made a video (find it at avisionforlearning.com) about unboxing and my first impressions of the Apple Vision Pro. I edited that video entirely while wearing Apple Vision Pro and using my Mac. It was powerful and enjoyable.Fascinatingly, AVP (Apple Vision Pro) has already changed my work approach. Firstly, "locking in" by putting on the device and entering work mode has been effective for...