In the ever-evolving world of education, one trend that’s been gaining traction is the decision of more and more districts to ban cell phones in schools. As an advocate for innovative education, I find this development both intriguing and challenging. Historically, many of us have championed the use of cell phones as powerful learning tools, providing students with access to information, collaboration opportunities, and various educational apps. However, recent shifts in the educational landscape have prompted a re-evaluation of this stance.The Pandemic’s Impact on Digital Learning The COVID ..read more

You may have noticed that I haven't written on my blog since last fall. That's because I was in a serious accident caused by a hit-and-run driver. The free time I spent writing has now been taken up with visits to doctors and receiving treatment for my injuries. I haven't been too open about my accident in public spaces; however, I feel it's time to give folks who knew about my accident and those who didn't an update. Background: Last fall, I was struck from behind and run over by a hit-and-run taxi driver in a Chevy Suburban SUV while crossing the street at a crosswalk with the right of ..read more

Once taught through traditional methods, the fundamental skill of reading has become much easier to acquire via the use of technology. Technology provides an exciting opportunity to enhance literacy in a way that's personalized, engaging, and accessible to all. This post delves into three technologies that help make learning to read easier in ways that empower both educators and students. KhanAcademyKids.org While some may associate Khan Academy with math videos, today, it is much more. Khan Academy now has Khan Academy Kids with thousands of educational games, books, and activities for chil ..read more

AI image generators provide innovative educators with new and exciting possibilities for their students and themselves. They have emerged as groundbreaking tools, offering innovative educators a wealth of new opportunities. Whether it's illustrating abstract concepts, crafting historical visualizations, or enhancing creativity in the classroom, these tools present an invaluable resource. Innovative educators are aware of the importance of ethical considerations when using images such as citing sources and fair use. This can make it difficult when searching for images to enhance learning materi ..read more

There are numerous Generative AI / Large Language Models (LLMs) available to support learning to read from the popular ChatGPT to Bing, Bard, Claude, etc. Whichever platform you choose, here are some ways to use generative AI to support learning: Adapt reading passages to the appropriate level and language:  By employing LLMs, educators can easily adapt literature to the reading level of their students. For example, the tale of "Cinderella" could be rewritten with simpler sentences and vocabulary to suit Kindergarten students. If a student's native language isn't the primary language ..read more

Innovative educators know that it is best for students to interact with learning videos using techniques such as Frame, Focus, and Follow Up. ChatTube just made that a lot easier. ChatTube uses ChatGPT technology to allow you to chat with YouTube videos in real-time using AI to ask questions, get summaries, pinpoint key points, translate content, and more. You can even suggest it provides questions/answers geared to a particular grade level. You can converse with up to five videos a day at no cost and more if you want to sign up for a premium version.  ChatTube is embedded into YouTube. A ..read more

Unsure about whether or not your students should use AI? This guide from AI for Education can serve as a useful conversation starter with students.    ..read more

The infographic from AI, data, and digital policy expert, Aleksandr Tiulkanov helps us think about the process for using AI-generated content. Essentially, it says that if we are using AI generated content, we must know how to verify and take responsibility for the output. That means fact-checking, cross-referencing, and validating the content is essential. Innovative educators understand that they must know how to do this for ourselves as well as teach our students how to take full-responsibility for the outputs they share.  Here are some ways innovative educators can support s ..read more

A report released by the Stanford History Education Group (SHEG) showed many students struggled to discern which information was legitimate pointing to the need to teach students how to verify the reliability of sources. The report outlines how three different groups of “expert” readers – fact checkers, historians and Stanford undergraduates – fared when tasked with evaluating information online. The fact checkers proved to be fastest and most accurate, while historians and students were easily deceived by unreliable sources. What was the difference in how the fact checkers appr ..read more

The popularity of generative AI has made it more clear than ever that educators must take on the responsibility of helping students understand how to verify information and determine what sources are credible and reliable.  Organizations like Common Sense Education are doing their part by empowering students with strategies and techniques to examine the legitimacy of online content. One of their notable methods involves the critical engagement with media through a set of thoughtful questions. This strategy is known as the "5 Questions to Ask about Media". This technique encourages studen ..read more