AI literacy is all about preparing us with skills and understanding about AI so we can survive and thrive in the future. But it isn’t just for students! In this episode, Holly and Matt discuss the ACE Framework they’ve created to help schools think about AI literacy, including: Awareness, Critique, and Exploration.
Feb 04, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 57
Lots of school districts are having to decide on contracts for all of the new AI tools that are coming into the education market. If they’re not careful, they can be locked into an expensive contract with a tool that doesn’t support their needs. How can they tread carefully and avoid a bad decision? Holly and Matt weigh in.
Jan 28, 2025•27 min•Season 1Ep. 56
Artificial intelligence has advanced dramatically in recent years, but where are we headed next? Are today’s schools and education systems prepared to equip students for this future? Join Matt and Holly as they delve into their observations in schools and explore the path forward in this episode.
Oct 15, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 55
Matt and Holly have seen lots of innovations in artificial intelligence over the last couple years. But nothing has quite blown their minds the way that NotebookLM did recently. Hear how this free tool works, how it might be implemented in education, and how it points to the future of education.
Oct 07, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 54
While some school districts are ringing their hands about Artificial Intelligence, Northville School District in Michigan is going all in. Join Aaron Baughman, the Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services, as he shares his efforts to equip teachers and students with a wide array of AI tools. Discover how his innovative approach is preparing students for a future where AI plays a crucial role.
Sep 30, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 53
AI assistants like ChatGPT are disrupting the standard operating procedures for student writing. Academic integrity is front and center of many educator AI conversations, and many want to know: Can you cite AI in student work? In this episode, Matt and Holly discuss the problems with "citing AI" and suggest some better paths in student learning and writing that will better develop students.
Sep 23, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 52
There's a growing cry from some educators, students and even parents -- get rid of the technology. Some students are asking for more analog, non-tech learning activities. But is technology really the culprit here? In this episode, Matt and Holly talk about how COVID and emergency remote teaching set tech-infused teaching up for failure. There are lots of factors at play -- lots of pros and cons -- but throwing out technology can have some repercussions.
Sep 16, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 51
All over the United States and beyond, schools and districts are making tough choices about cell phones in schools. The distraction that they create is evident. But there's a safety and access component that you can't ignore. In this episode, Matt and Holly share their thoughts about this tricky topic -- and suggest that one-size-fits-all answers might not be a great solution.
Sep 09, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 50
Educators continue to learn more and more about artificial intelligence, large language models, and other AI tools. We (Holly and Matt) have both seen it in their workshops and presentations. A growing number of teachers are more informed, but many are still getting started. What can you do -- or the educators you serve do -- to get up to speed? In this episode, we discuss and give suggestions. Link: 20 AI “first steps” for teachers...
Aug 20, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 49
Our options for AI-powered apps have exploded over the last year. It's easy to get overwhelmed -- and no one can keep up with everything! What apps are making an impact on teaching and learning? In this episode, we share a few of our very favorites right now. Matt's list: MirrorTalk.ai, BriskTeaching.com, Ideogram.ai. Holly's list: Adobe Express ( adobe.com/express ), Suno.com, Snorkl.app. (Matt and Holly both love SchoolAI.com!)
Aug 12, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 48
When ChatGPT was released in November 2022, it became the focal point of AI conversations. Lots of our thoughts on implementing AI were based on ChatGPT. But now, we have several very capable AI large language models (like Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Anthropic Claude) and lots of other AI tools that open other doors. While some are still at the beginning of this conversation, others are starting to move to new levels. In this episode, we discuss some of the implications of "moving beyond C...
Aug 07, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 47
We've said it for more than a year ... Students can't officially use AI chatbots because they're not old enough per the terms of use ... but student-facing chatbots are coming. Now they're finally here. Holly and Matt have used them -- and have worked with students in the classroom using AI chatbots. In this episode, we share the things we like about them -- and things to be aware of.
Apr 09, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 46
When ChatGPT was released, one of teachers' immediate concerns was cheating. What happens, we wondered, when students use AI to do work we want them to do? Teachers are still grappling with that question. It has occurred to Matt and Holly, though, that AI isn't the main culprit when it comes to AI cheating. The reasons that students use it go much deeper than that. In this episode, we examine some of the real reasons.
Apr 02, 2024•24 min•Ep. 45
Matt's back in the classroom teaching high school Spanish. He recently read the book The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek ... and it changed his view on how he approaches grading and rigor in his classroom. In this episode, Matt and Holly discuss it -- and how you can take an "infinite game" approach to your own classroom, too. Read: The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek
Feb 07, 2024•21 min
AI image generators are pretty incredible. They take a text description and create images based on those descriptions. (Although sometimes they miss the mark -- and they struggle with creating certain things, like human hands!) But many times, they are way better than searching Google Images for pictures. How can they be used in the classroom? Matt and Holly brainstorm ideas -- and how they can be an entry point to having conversations with students about AI. Resources: AI image generators: 10 t...
Jan 30, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 43
We know how important timely feedback is to student growth. But it can also be a struggle to provide it -- especially when we have lots and lots of students! How can we make it manageable? In his return to the classroom, Matt has found a simple strategy with Pear Deck that lets him provide targeted student feedback and general feedback to the class. In this episode, he and Holly talk about it and why it works.
Jan 19, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 42
The Ditch Summit, a free online conference for educators hosted by Matt, is open! You can register at http://ditchsummit.com . What can you expect? In this episode, Matt and Holly discuss some of their favorite takeaways from several Ditch Summit sessions, including content on artificial intelligence, project-based learning, student relationships, and more.
Jan 19, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 41
We know that artificial intelligence will grow in its sophistication and ability. But how will that impact the workforce? And, just as importantly, what skills will be beneficial in this shifted workforce? In this episode, Holly and Matt discuss this with Dr. Micah Shippee, Director of Education Technology Consulting and Solutions for Samsung. They share several skills we can develop in students and some thoughts on how they can be integrated into learning. Dr. Micah Shippee , is the Director of...
Dec 18, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 40
It's clear that AI is going to force some changes to how we do classwork and school. But in what directions should we move? It's time to look through our Tomorrow Glasses and predict what students will need to survive and thrive in the era of artificial intelligence. In this episode, Holly and Matt share some shifts we can make now in our classwork and schools to start to prepare students for their future.
Dec 13, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 39
OpenAI has released several big new features for ChatGPT-4, the paid premium version. Even though many teachers probably don't subscribe to it, these features paint a picture of where AI is headed and how it can impact the classroom. In this episode, Holly and Matt give an overview of some of the most important changes. Plus, they outline the executive order on artificial intelligence from the White House and how it'll impact education. More AI resources: ChatGPT, Chatbots and Artificial Intelli...
Dec 04, 2023•31 min
Peter Paccone, a high school social studies teacher in California, saw the benefits of generative AI as soon as ChatGPT came out in 2022. Since then, he's been incorporating it into his practice but also championing its use in Advanced Placement classes and to promote instant feedback with students. In this episode, Holly and Matt ask Peter about his experiences -- and why he believes so strongly in the power of AI on equity in education. You can connect with Peter on Twitter/X @PeterPaccone...
Nov 27, 2023•31 min•Season 1Ep. 37
Students have lots of content to master. But not all of it is connected to their interests or curiosities. Thankfully, we have ways to infuse student choice into what students are learning. Choice boards give students additional resources connected to what they're learning that are tailored to what students are into. In this episode, Matt and Holly tell you all about explore boards and how you can make them for your students. Resources: Using an Explore Board in the Classroom: The Outsiders Hype...
Nov 13, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 36
In this episode of the Digital Learning Podcast, Matt Miller and Holly Clark discuss how to create chatbots for use in the classroom. Chatbots can be a valuable addition to the classroom, providing students with personalized support and feedback. By following best practices, teachers can create effective chatbots that enhance the learning experience for their students. In this episode, Holly shares her experience creating a chatbot and ideas for using something similar in the classroom. Resource...
Nov 07, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Let's be honest. Students are already using AI tools on their own, whether or not they're old enough or have permission. But they're not just using them to do their homework. In this episode, Matt and Holly share what they're hearing from teachers and students about how they're using AI to learn deeply -- and paint a picture of how it can be used to engage students and level up learning.
Oct 31, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 34
We want to provide students with high-quality articles, videos, and other resources so they can learn about new ideas. We love it when students can explore those resources on their own to learn. But we don't want to spend countless hours searching for them -- and vetting them. Where can we find great learning resources that we can share easily with our students? In this episode -- where he's flying solo! -- Matt shares several of his favorite sources of quality learning materials that you can pu...
Oct 23, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 33
It's hard to picture what the world will look like as AI grows and gets smarter -- even in the next few years. But it's up to our students to be prepared to survive and thrive in a world where AI will be a regular part of it. How do we prepare them? How do we even know what to do when there's so much that's unclear? In this episode, Matt and Holly think through it and provide some guidance. More AI Resources: AI for Educators book by Matt Miller Artificial intelligence may change the world more ...
Oct 16, 2023•26 min•Season 1Ep. 32
As educators better understand AI -- and as it spreads into our everyday lives -- it's finding its way into classrooms. How are students using it? How can we use it to level up learning? In this episode, you'll see what might make a student say, "AI isn't doing the work for me. It's helping me be a better thinker."
Oct 12, 2023•23 min•Season 1Ep. 31
According to a recent article, AI is now as good as a human at evaluating a standard five-paragraph essay and giving feedback on it. We know that AI can be helpful on saving us time. But is it making it more efficient at the right things ... at things that will really help students learn and prepare them for their future? In a solo episode, Matt shares some ways we can shift our thinking to really unlock the true potential that AI has for our classrooms and schools. He shares four places where w...
Oct 02, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 30
AI image generators will create gorgeous, high-resolution images for us. All we have to do is type a description of what we're looking for. We've heard lots of discussion about using large language models like ChatGPT in the classroom. Can we use AI image generators to lead to meaningful learning? Absolutely! In this episode, Matt and Holly talk about some of their favorite AI image generator tools. They talk about classroom activities that can be amplified by AI-generated images. And they talk ...
Sep 25, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 29
In this episode of the Digital Learning Podcast, Matt Miller and Holly Clark, discuss the impact of using artificial intelligence (AI) in education and the importance of transparency when using it. The hosts mention that many students are starting to use AI assistants such as ChatGPT as they complete their schoolwork, which has left teachers in a difficult position of trying to teach students how to use AI in responsible ways while navigating the ever evolving landscape of AI themselves. Matt an...
Sep 18, 2023•35 min•Season 1Ep. 28