Artificial Intelligence: Real Talk

AI in Education: Kevin Shindel on #UMustLearn Radio Show

This is a segment from #UMustLearn Radio Show featuring Kevin Shindel, a 25-year social studies teacher at Montgomery Blair High School, discussing artificial intelligence in education with host Dr. Daryl Howard.Topics Discussed:Evolution of Technology in EducationKevin traces his journey from observing MySpace in 2005 to launching a "Digital Detox" program in 2012 after discovering over 50% of teens wake up at night to textSocial media initially connected students but became weaponized once platforms monetized attention through AI algorithmsClassrooms transformed from one screen (2002) to 2+ screens per student, fundamentally altering learning environmentsAI as Ecosystem, Not ToolDrawing on Neil Postman's work, Kevin argues AI isn't a simple tool like a hammer—it's an ecological system that transforms entire environmentsAI will impact student relationships, communication, attention spans, memory, and critical thinking abilitiesThe shift from social connection to attention capture has had devastating academic and cognitive effectsImplementation ConcernsRelationships: Half of students report AI has harmed their teacher relationships, particularly when approached from a cheating-investigation stanceTraining & Policy: Schools lack adequate training and policies for responsible AI integrationStudent Agency: Students are already fluent in technology's impacts and must have a seat at decision-making tablesNon-Negotiable Criteria for AI AdoptionPurpose Alignment: Educators, students, and teachers must align goals before adopting technologyCognitive Engagement: Design features must keep students doing the "heavy cognitive lifting"—no shortcuts to learningDe-humanization: Strip AI of anthropomorphic features; remind students it's "just crunching numbers"Privacy Protection: Verifiable checks to prevent student data exploitationEquity: Ensure tools don't widen the opportunity gap We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

AI, Privacy, and Governance with Peter Gregory

In this episode, Jethro sits down with Peter, author of the upcoming "AI Governance Professional Study Guide," to explore the complex intersection of artificial intelligence, privacy, and governance—especially in the context of education. They discuss the challenges of managing student data, the importance of anonymization, the ethical dilemmas posed by AI training, and the evolving role of educators in an AI-driven world. The conversation offers practical insights for schools and organizations navigating the opportunities and risks of adopting AI technologies. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

Practical AI with Derek Crager

In this episode, Jethro interviews Derek "DC" Crager, a passionate advocate for making artificial intelligence accessible, especially for the neurodiverse community. DC shares his personal experiences as an autistic individual and discusses how AI can empower people with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia to enhance their skills and independence. The conversation explores the unique challenges neurodiverse individuals face, the importance of supportive AI interfaces, and how technology can provide cognitive equity and a patient, understanding companion. DC also explains his work with Practical AI and AI for Autistics, offering insights into building inclusive tools and communities that help neurodiverse people thrive in education and employment. The episode highlights the transformative potential of AI as both a mentor and a bridge for communication, learning, and self-advocacy.Neurodiverse vs. neurotypicalAI gives “us” someone to talk toVoice interface to be a patient anthropomorphic voiceSpeak with ourselves Those of us with ADHD are either at 50,000 feet or deep in the weedsCognitive Equity is what AI enables for people with disabilities to have a voice when they didn’t beforeGenius Within - spikey profileLack of control over the words can be seen as ignorance or stupidityHow to make sure that the AI is helpful and context awareGuardrails on the AI - for example, as a subject matter expertNavigating the community and context instead of just GPS navigating vs. talking on the phone navigatingAnyplace that a human can be offering mentorship1:1 virtual mentor:student relationshipConversationally know and communicate about studentsReach out to DC about free resourcesAbout the guest:Derek “DC” Crager, a passionate advocate for making artificial intelligence approachable and accessible, particularly for individuals within the neurodiverse community. As someone who is autistic, Derek has dedicated himself to fostering a supportive environment where people with autism, ADHD, and dyslexia can leverage AI to enhance their skills and income. Through his work at Practical AI, he emphasizes clarity and support, ensuring that users can navigate AI without being overwhelmed by its complexities.Derek has also achieved notable success in his career, having developed Amazon's top-rated employee training program, which focuses on simplifying complex concepts for better understanding and application. His community, now boasting over 6,060 members, thrives on the principles of shared learning and earning, making it a valuable resource for educators and leaders alike. He is poised to share insights drawn from his journey and the impactful initiatives at Practical AI, promising to engage and inspire any audience. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

The Art of AI Conversation with Jonathan Mast

In this episode, host Eli interviews Jonathan Mast, a leading expert in AI prompting. Jonathan shares his journey into AI, starting with the advent of ChatGPT, and discusses the importance of utilizing AI tools like ChatGPT, MidJourney, Claude, and Perplexity for business growth. He introduces a simple four-step AI prompt framework and emphasizes the need for iterative communication to get the most out of AI. Jonathan also addresses misconceptions about AI's complexity and its ethical considerations, advocating for its integration in education and other fields. The episode concludes with Jonathan providing insights into leveraging AI for deep research and practical applications. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.

Ethics and Higher Education with Dr. Jonan Donaldson

In this episode,  Eli Davis engages Dr. Jonan Donaldson in a deep and thoughtful discussion on the intersection of AI, ethics, and education. Dr. Donaldson, an assistant professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, shares his views on how AI can augment human intelligence and transform learning. Topics covered include generative AI, complex systems, the importance of critical thinking, and the ethical responsibilities of educators in integrating AI into their classrooms. We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.