Deep Learning Dialogues

In this week’s episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, hosts Whitney McKinley and Katrina Gouett are joined by Dr. Jennifer Hove, Director of Data and Reporting at EQAO, to navigate the complex intersection of artificial intelligence and large-scale assessment. Dr. Hove outlines the agency’s "slow and steady" roadmap to AI adoption, emphasizing a human-centered framework where Ontario educators remain the primary drivers of assessment creation and scoring. The conversation explores how EQAO is looking to leverage technology for quality assurance rather than replacement , the challenges of maintaining academic integrity in a digital landscape , and the rigorous review processes ensu...

In this conversation, we explore how Indigenous governance and cultural frameworks can guide ethical technology use in education. Sheri Cecchetto introduces the Medicine Wheel as a holistic lens for approaching AI in K–12 classrooms—emphasizing reflection, relationship-building, and responsibility over speed and profit. Together, we unpack themes of digital sovereignty, environmental impact, and the importance of slowing down to make intentional choices about technology. This episode challenges educators to rethink AI literacy by centering Indigenous values and collective care.Sheri Cecchetto is Anishinaabe Kwe from Wabigoon Lake Ojibwe Nation and a field coordinator and sess...

In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, hosts Whitney McKinley and Katrina Gouett sit down with Taryn Michel, an Indigenous educator, law scholar, and community leader, to explore the intersection of Indigenous knowledge systems and artificial intelligence in K–12 education. Taryn shares her journey as a professor in the Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work program at Laurentian University and offers insights into Indigenous data sovereignty, ethical AI use, and the importance of relational learning. From the significance of consent and community co-design to the potential of AI tools like Google Lens in supporting cultural revitalization, this conversation invites educators to...

In this powerful episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, we continue our conversation with Dr. Taima Moeke-Pickering, Director of the School of Indigenous Relations at Laurentian University. This episode explores how educators can ethically and respectfully integrate AI into K–12 classrooms while honoring Indigenous knowledge systems. Dr. Moeke-Pickering shares insights on land-based learning, trauma-informed pedagogy, and the importance of “showing up” with intention and care. This episode is a call to rethink how we teach with technology—grounded in values of sustainability, justice, and self-determination. Whether you're new to AI or deeply immersed, this conversation offers both inspiration and practical guidance...

In this powerful opening to a four-part series, hosts Whitney McKinley and Katrina Gouett sit down with Dr. Taima Moeke-Pickering, Sheri Cecchetto, and Taryn Michel from Laurentian University’s School of Indigenous Relations to explore how artificial intelligence intersects with Indigenous law, land, and sovereignty. This conversation challenges listeners to rethink AI not as neutral, but as deeply tied to land, community, and responsibility. Through Indigenous teachings, legal frameworks, and personal stories, the guests offer pathways for ethical AI use in education—rooted in reciprocity, environmental justice, and the wisdom of seven generations. This episode is a call to educ...

In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, hosts Katrina Gouett and Whitney McKinley welcome award-winning journalist and author Jenny Anderson to explore the urgent challenges of student disengagement and the transformative potential of generative AI in education. Drawing from her book The Disengaged Teen: Helping Kids Learn Better, Feel Better, and Live Better, Jenny shares insights into the four dynamic modes of learning—passenger, achiever, resistor, and explorer—and how educators can help students shift toward deeper engagement. Through real stories, audience questions, and practical strategies, this conversation offers a hopeful and actionable roadmap for fostering curiosity, agency, and mean...

In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, we sit down with Patricia Kosseim, Ontario’s Information and Privacy Commissioner, to explore the critical intersection of student privacy, educational technology, and artificial intelligence. From the challenges school boards face when negotiating with EdTech vendors to the ethical complexities of AI in classrooms, Commissioner Kosseim offers expert insights and practical guidance for educators. We discuss the importance of “privacy empathy,” the role of the IPC in safeguarding student data, and the resources available to help schools navigate this evolving digital landscape with confidence and care.Patricia Kosseim is the In...

Join us as we welcome educator and game creator Blaise Patterson to discuss the innovative Minecraft EDU Cyber Safe AI Dig Deeper World. Discover how this interactive experience helps students build AI literacy, digital citizenship, and critical thinking skills through engaging, age-appropriate gameplay. Learn about the challenges of designing meaningful AI education, strategies for supporting teachers, and practical classroom resources for fostering safe and responsible technology use. Blaise Patterson is an Education Content Creator with Cleverlike Studios, where he creates immersive learning experiences using popular video games like Minecraft and Fortnite. With a deep passion for g...

In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, Jasmine Zhang, a PhD student at the University of Waterloo, discusses how digital media and AI companions impact the well-being of children, caregivers, and families. The conversation covers practical strategies for parents and educators, the role of trusted adults, digital literacy, and the challenges and opportunities of AI in mental health and education.Jasmine received her Bachelor of Science (Honours Psychology, Neuroscience and Behaviour) from McMaster University in 2020 and her Master of Arts (Clinical Psychology) from the University of Waterloo in 2022. Since then, she has continued her studies at...

Join us as Dr. Kelsey Leonard explores the groundbreaking concept of granting personhood to rivers and lakes, and discusses how Indigenous data sovereignty can transform water rights in the age of AI. Discover how traditional knowledge, legal innovation, and technology intersect to address water justice, protect Indigenous communities, and shape the future of global water governance. Please note: Due to recording issues in the second half, audio quality varies - however, the content remains compelling and we encourage you to stick with it. We've identified the issue and are taking steps to prevent it in future r...

This episode of Deep Learning Dialogues explores how AI can empower young changemakers to address global sustainability challenges through the UN Sustainable Development Goals framework. Dr. Henrik von Wehrden and Jorge Gustavo Rodrigues Aboytes from Leuphana University share research showing that AI applications favour technical SDGs over social justice goals, creating important gaps in how technology addresses global challenges. The conversation emphasises K-12 students' natural capacity for systems thinking and advocates for using the SDGs as an interdisciplinary learning framework whilst positioning AI as both a powerful educational tool and an object of critical analysis. Key themes include teaching...

Join us for season 3! We have an incredible lineup of guests to look forward to. Be sure to subscribe or follow Deep Learning Dialogues in your favourite podcast player. Want to know more?You can check out our: WCDSB GenAI Guidelines, infographics, and Innovation website: https://innovate.wcdsb.ca/Feedback? You can ask your questions or give us feedback on the show here Want to get in touch? Contact Katrina & Whitney by email at: katrina.gouett@wcdsb.ca and whitney.mckinley@wcdsb.ca or on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See...

Join Whitney and Katrina as they reflect on an incredible Season 2 of Deep Learning Dialogues! After 50 episodes exploring the intersection of AI and education, our hosts turn the tables and interview each other about their biggest takeaways, favourite moments, and the insights that continue to shape their thinking.From Dr. Jean Clinton's reminder that "love builds brains" to Emmanuel Duplàa's challenge to embrace chaos in the classroom, discover which conversations changed their perspectives on everything from post-plagiarism pedagogy to AI consciousness. Whitney and Katrina also share how ideas from guests like Michael Fullan, Keri Ewart, and C...

In this episode, we sit down with Andrew Bieronski, Growth Lead for Canada at Wayground (formerly Quizizz), to explore how this innovative EdTech platform is revolutionizing K-12 education through AI-powered tools that truly serve both educators and learners. As a former secondary teacher turned EdTech advocate, Andrew shares insights into Wayground's recent rebranding, their groundbreaking accommodations tool that automatically personalizes learning for every student, and why having educators at the heart of product development makes all the difference. We dive deep into the platform's impressive free-for-schools offering, discuss the critical importance of data privacy in educational technology, and discover...

In this episode, we explore the groundbreaking "Empowering Learners for the Age of AI: An AI Literacy Framework for Primary and Secondary Education" with Veronica Ellis, a molecular biologist turned educator at TeachAI. Veronica shares her journey from studying bacteria to developing global AI curriculum, sparked by her experience teaching during the COVID pandemic when technology inequities became starkly apparent. We dive deep into the collaborative framework created by the European Commission, OECD, and Code.org, which structures AI literacy around four key domains: engaging, creating, managing, and designing with AI. Discover how the framework will be integrated into...

Join us for an enlightening conversation with Dean Shareski, educator, author, and passionate advocate for meaningful learning in schools. Dean challenges common misconceptions about AI in education, arguing that technology's true value isn't just in saving time—it's in enhancing clarity and strengthening the human connections that drive learning. We explore why relationships between students and teachers become even more critical in an AI-enhanced world, discuss community-driven approaches to AI integration, and examine how technology can support teacher well-being rather than replace educators. Dean shares insights from his collaborative work with Advanced Learning Partners and the Waterloo Catholic District Sc...

In this illuminating episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, we explore how educators can transform assessment practices in the age of AI. Our guest Michelle Sengara shares a powerful framework for "harmonized intelligence" that balances subject matter expertise with technical skills and human connection. Discover why assessment should be the first educational lever we consider—not the last—and how AI can serve as a design partner rather than a replacement for human judgment. This conversation offers both hope and practical strategies for educators navigating technology integration while preserving what matters most: meaningful human learning experiences.As Dire...

In this thought-provoking episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, we welcome Dr. Maria Vamvalis, an educator and researcher with over 20 years of experience in climate justice and transformative learning. She reveals the hidden environmental costs of AI—from carbon emissions to water consumption—and challenges us to reimagine our relationship with technology. Moving beyond a framework of speed, scale, and profit, Dr. Maria Vamvalis offers educators practical criteria for ethical AI use centered on justice, regeneration, and relationships, while sharing actionable strategies to develop critical thinking habits that prepare students to navigate our complex environmental future. You can read the epis...

Join us as we welcome Dr. Keri Ewart for a conversation on AI in education. Dr. Ewart explores the intersection of AI, cultural responsiveness, and literacy, offering practical strategies for educators. Discover the difference between macro and micro prompting, learn about the CREATE framework for culturally responsive AI use, and gain insights on developing AI literacy skills for both teachers and students. This episode provides valuable guidance for educators navigating the rapidly evolving landscape of AI in diverse educational settings while maintaining ethical and inclusive practices.Dr. Keri Ewart is an assistant professor in the Faculty...

Dive into the ethical dimensions of AI in Catholic education with Lewis Poché from the University of Notre Dame's Alliance for Catholic Education. This episode unpacks how Catholic social teachings provide a framework for evaluating AI tools, reveals the hidden environmental and human costs of AI development, and offers practical approaches to fostering AI literacy among students. Poché introduces the Higher Powered Learning Network—a free community supporting Catholic educators—and shares valuable resources for navigating this technological frontier. Join our conversation about using AI as an "exciting and fearsome tool" while staying true to Catholic values in forming young...