AI Learning I Am Doing

If you are in education, I'm sure you have been inundated with AI tools, resources, how to's, why/why not, do/do not's, and so much more. I know I have been.  ChatGPT was release on November 30, 2022. A little more than 2 years ago. I did a search on Amazon for "artificial intelligence books" and it returned over 20,000. Wow. 

I am not opposed to AI, but I'm super hesitate to just go all in. I have serious concerns with introducing AI far too early to our students only to find out in a few years that we've unintentionally weakened their educational foundation. I'd like to take a slower approach and be mindful with what and how I incorporate AI in the classroom.

I have been in the ed-tech world for at least a decade and I have my favorite resources so I have been sticking close to them in this world of AI discovery and learning. Catlin Tucker comes out near the top. She and Katie Novak have recently release a book, "Elevating Educational Design with AI: Making Learning Accessible, Inclusive, and Equitable". What I am most excited about this book is that it is not pushing a tool or prompts to feed o AI. 

In their own words, this book wants to  "empower teachers with an adaptable and rigorous educational design framework that embodies the best ideals of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and blended learning". 

I have not yet gotten my hands on this book, but I have listened to a couple of Catlin's podcasts where she shares about the book and it really piqued my interest. I think they might be of interest to you, too. Here are the two I've listened to:

• 12/17/2024: Designing for Equity and Engagement: A Preview of Elevating Educational Design with AI (14 min) 
  
  
• 01/14/2025: Preview of Elevating Educational Design with AI (18 min)

I'd love to know if you have read Catlin's book. Is it helpful? Do you have other resources you'd like to share? 

*** Every Monday, I share a newsletter with a collection of Tech You Can Do resources. It is delivered right to your inbox. Interested? Sign up here!  ***

5 Google Slides Activities You Can Do

The other day, I wrote a post about change and how it can be amazing.  Here are 5 activities you can use in your class.  Take your pick and do one ... or do them all!

Google Slides Scavenger Hunt (Catlin Tucker @Catlin_Tucker) -- an amazing activity you can use to help your students become more proficient with Slides. And it's FUN! and YES! You can make your own copy of it and share with your students.  It's beautiful - go ahead ... share with your students, tomorrow.


Build Your Own Snowman (Eric Curts @ericcurts) -- this amazing activity allows your students to be creative without the hassle of needing to find the "accessories" to build their own snowman.  Eric reinforces writing skills by giving space to write a story about the snowman they create.  Eric includes a template you can copy and share, AND he also provides a short tutorial in case you need it!


If-Then Adventure Stories (Google's Applied Digital Skills Curriculum) -- this take on "Choose Your Own Adventure Stories" many, including myself, enjoyed as a child, is set up to walk your students through the process from start to finish.  


**Note - it says it is geared for middle/high school students, so if you want to use with younger students, you may need to provide additional support.  (I used it with 4th graders and they 💛'd it!)