Episodes

  • Encore Episode - From Solo to System, Elevating AI Across Our Schools
    Nov 8 2024

    While Matt and Liz continue rolling out their AI micro-credential, ChatEDU will be revisiting some of our past episodes. Over the next few weeks, we’ll bring back more listener favorites that sparked insightful discussions and questions. If you're new to ChatEDU, welcome! We hope these episodes offer a solid introduction. And for our loyal listeners, take this chance to revisit a past episode or check out other great AI and education podcasts.

    In this Encore Episode – From Solo to System: Elevating AI Across Our Schools, Matt and Liz tackle the shift from individual to systemic use of AI in education. First up, they explore the heavy investments labs like Google DeepMind are making to reduce “hallucinations” in large language models. From there, it's a dash of AI images and then AI agency. Finally, Matt and Liz look at the wider potential for AI in schools, advocating for a focus not only on teacher training but on comprehensive school-wide AI integration. They unpack how institutions can scale AI to enhance curriculum, assessment, administration, and more, moving beyond isolated cases to cohesive, strategic use. And, as always, they close with a Short Stack Chat Back.

    Expect new live episodes later this fall including a special episode the day after Thanksgiving (in the US)! In the meantime, you can email us with questions at chatedu@edadvance.org and if you'd like to learn more about the AI in K-12 education micro-credential, visit skills21.org/ai/micro. Thanks as always for tuning in!

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    57 mins
  • Encore Episode - You Gotta See This, The Potential of AI Vision in Education
    Nov 1 2024

    While Matt and Liz are kicking off their new AI micro-credential course, we're taking a brief break from new ChatEDU episodes. During most of this month, we will be replaying some episodes that seem especially relevant or received lots of questions and comments. If you're new to ChatEDU, we hope you enjoy this recent trip down memory lane. If you're a long-time listener, feel free to have another listen, or kick back and enjoy one of the other amazing AI and education podcasts out there—or explore a whole new topic.


    Now, in this Encore Episode - You Gotta See This, The Potential of AI Vision in Education, Matt and Liz dive into how AI vision can be used in and out of our classrooms. First, they'll share how much they don't know about AI dating, and then the duo will chart new territory about the future of prompting and interactive games...with a Star Trek throughline of course. Finally, they will wrap up with a Short Stack Chat Back! Oh, and there's a whole lotta talk about Inflection AI's Pi, which is now reborn in Microsoft's Co-Pilot App. Be sure to check it out! It's close, but not quite there on the voice.


    Matt and Liz look forward to new live episodes in late fall, and as always, you can email us with any questions at chatedu@edadvance.org. Thanks!

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    39 mins
  • Encore Episode - AI Guilt Trip: Why Educators Sometimes Feel Guilty and What to Do About It!
    Oct 25 2024

    While Matt and Liz are kicking off their new AI micro-credential course, we're taking a brief break from new ChatEDU episodes. During the rest of this month and next, we will be replaying some episodes that seem especially relevant or received lots of questions and comments. If you're new to ChatEDU, we hope you enjoy this recent trip down memory lane. If you're a long-time listener, feel free to have another listen, or kick back and enjoy one of the other amazing AI and education podcasts out there—or explore a whole new topic.

    Now, in this reprised episode titled Encore Episode - AI Guilt Trip: Why Educators Sometimes Feel Guilty and What to Do About It!, Matt and Liz riff on AI in music, from Google’s new tools like MusicLM to the unexpected success of AI-generated love songs at open mic night. They also dive into how students are leading AI efforts in Colorado and how New York and LA schools are tapping into AI to support teachers and students. In a plot twist, however, LAUSD’s chatbot “Ed” met an untimely demise when the company behind it went bust. For now, LAUSD had to hit the pause button on Ed, so he'll have to catch his bus elsewhere!

    Finally, we'll tackle guilt: why some educators feel uneasy using AI and how to embrace it as a tool to make their work easier. Tune in for practical tips and a few laughs along the way!

    Matt and Liz look forward to new live episodes in late fall, and as always, you can email us with any questions at chatedu@edadvance.org. Thanks!

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    43 mins
  • More Common Sense - A New CSM Report on Teens and AI | Ep. 32
    Oct 18 2024

    In this live episode of ChatEDU recorded at an AI conference in Litchfield, Connecticut (More Common Sense - A New CSM Report on Teens and AI), Matt and Liz unpack Common Sense Media's latest report on teen AI usage, followed by an engaging Q&A session with educators. The episode explores the growing role of AI in education and the disparities in awareness between teens and parents.

    Getting Started: Matt and Liz kick off the episode from their AI conference in Litchfield, Connecticut, with an enthusiastic audience of educators. They share observations about the conference atmosphere and educators making the most of the beautiful fall day.

    Beneath the Surface:

    1. Teen AI Usage and Parental Awareness:

      • Most teens are using AI tools, particularly AI-enhanced search engines

      • Significant gap exists between teen usage and parental awareness

    2. Equity and Access Issues:

      • Black and Latino youth show more optimism about AI's educational potential

      • Concerns raised about bias in AI detection systems

      • Need for balanced approaches to AI integration in education

    3. School Policy and Guidelines:

      • Many schools lack clear AI policies

      • Students often uncertain about allowed AI uses

      • Need for more consistent guidelines across education

    Live Audience Q&A: Key discussions centered around data privacy in AI tools, strategies for parent education, and the intersection of gaming and AI access. Educators shared concerns and creative solutions for engaging both students and parents in AI education.

    Announcements:

    • ChatEDU is taking a brief fall break!

    • Connecticut's community of practice for AI continues with national participation

    • Check out the new AI micro-credential program

    Related Links:

    • Common Sense Media Report: The Dawn of the AI Era - https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/the-dawn-of-the-ai-era-teens-parents-and-the-adoption-of-generative-ai-at-home-and-school

    • Connecticut's Community of Practice for AI Registration - https://www.rescalliance.org/artificial-intelligence-ai

    • AI Micro-credential Program Information - https://www.skills21.org/ai/micro


    Contact Us: Have questions or comments? Email Matt and Liz at chatedu@edadvance.org. Rate, review, and subscribe to ChatEDU on your favorite podcast platform!

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    49 mins
  • To Tech or Not to Tech - A Conversation with Darron Vigliotti | Ep. 31
    Oct 11 2024

    In this episode of ChatEDU (To Tech or Not to Tech - A Conversation with Principal Darron Vigliotti), Matt and Liz sit down with Darron Vigliotti, a middle school principal and former high school science teacher. Darron brings his thoughtful perspective on balancing technology and tech-free spaces in the classroom. Key points of the conversation include:

    • Darron’s reflections on creating tech-free learning spaces and how that can improve attention and engagement (for both students and teachers)

    • The impact of tech distraction in 1:1 Chromebook environments and strategies to mitigate it.

    • How his faculty is experimenting with journals and more analog approaches to help students slow down and engage deeply with their learning.

    • Exploring the SAMR model (Substitution, Augmentation, Modification, Redefinition) as a framework to thoughtfully integrate technology where it’s most impactful.

    • A broader discussion on AI in education, how it differs from traditional EdTech, and the potential future role of AI as a teaching partner.

    • Darron’s experience with NotebookLM and how AI tools can offer fascinating possibilities for students and teachers.

    Darron also shares stories from his career in education, the challenges of finding balance between learning outcomes and processes, and why promoting lifelong learning is essential.

    Links Mentioned:

    • Skills21 Prompts Page - https://www.skills21.org/prompts

    • Next, Curtail the Chromebooks - Fordham Institute - https://fordhaminstitute.org/national/commentary/next-curtail-chromebooks

    • Educational Screens in Classrooms Do More Harm Than Good - Newsweek - https://www.newsweek.com/educational-screens-classrooms-do-more-harm-good-opinion-1953468

    Contact Us: We’d love to hear your thoughts! Email us at chatEDU@edadvance.org or subscribe, rate, and review the podcast on your favorite platform.


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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Tool Time - Our Fall AI Tool Review | Ep. 30
    Oct 4 2024

    In this episode of ChatEDU (Tool Time - Our Fall AI Tool Review), Matt and Liz welcome special guest Abbe Waldron to explore the landscape of AI tools in education. They discuss what's working, what's challenging, and what might be coming next.

    Getting Started:

    Matt humorously arrives late to the podcast recording, leading to a playful exchange about using ChatGPT to role-play difficult conversations.

    In the News:

    Study finds ChatGPT eases students’ cognitive load, but at the expense of critical thinking

    • Recent research comparing Google vs. ChatGPT for student research tasks

    • Students using ChatGPT reported lower cognitive load

    • Google users produced more detailed and thorough arguments

    • Discussion of three types of cognitive load:

      • Extraneous (filtering unnecessary information)

      • Intrinsic (complexity of material)

      • Germane (mental effort for processing information)

    Beneath the Surface: Popular AI Tools in Education

    Special guest Abbe Waldron shares insights on trending educational AI tools:

    1. Magic School AI:

      • Offers pre-designed prompts for teachers

      • Suite of tools for various educational tasks

      • Designed with teacher feedback in mind

    2. School AI:

      • Features "Spaces" for student conversations with historical figures

      • Provides tutorials for standardized tests

      • Offers accessibility features like voice input

    3. DiffIt:

      • Quickly creates differentiated materials

      • Allows adjustment by grade level

      • Generates supplementary exercises and resources

    Key Discussion Points:

    • Teacher adoption varies widely

    • Most use seen in high school, some in middle school

    • Free features available despite paywalls

    • Discussion of teacher guilt around AI use

    • Need for critical thinking when using AI outputs

    • The state of “student-facing” AI

    Looking Ahead:

    Abbe shares her vision for future AI tools including integration with published academic content

    Short Stack Chat Back:

    Dr. Spock offers a logical perspective on the cognitive load study, emphasizing the need to balance technological assistance with maintaining necessary cognitive challenges for learning.

    Have a question or comment? Please email Matt and Liz at chatedu@edadvance.org

    Related Links:

    • EdAdvance AI Resources: skills21.org/AI

    • EdAdvance AI Micro-Credential: skills21.org/ai/micro

    • Cognitve Load / Research Study - https://www.psypost.org/study-finds-chatgpt-eases-students-cognitive-load-but-at-the-expense-of-critical-thinking/

    • Magic School AI: magicschool.ai

    • School AI: schoolai.com

    • DiffIt: app.diffit.me

    • Perplexity: perplexity.ai

    • Khanmigo (Teacher): khanmigo.ai/teachers

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    45 mins
  • Live Comp Sci - AI in Computer Science Education | Ep. 29
    Sep 27 2024

    In this live episode of ChatEDU (Live Comp Sci - AI in Computer Science Education), Matt and Liz dive into the future of computer science education in an age dominated by AI, The episode was recorded in front of a live audience with the Connecticut Computer Science Teachers Association and features discussions on AI's impact on teaching and learning in computer science, insights from a new Teach AI and CSTA report, and live Q&A with educators.

    Getting Started:Matt and Liz kick off the episode by thanking the Connecticut Computer Science Teachers Association team for hosting their first live recording. They joke about the large crowd and share their excitement about the evening's discussions on AI in education.Matt introduced Google’s Notebook LM, a tool that transforms PDFs into engaging NPR-style interviews. Matt uploaded the evening’s feature story on AI and CS which became a short podcast. He joked that they could now retire (which Liz objected to streneously).

    Beneath the Surface:

    1. AI is Changing Computer Science Education:Matt and Liz explore the shifting landscape of computer science education, including the controversial idea that coding may become obsolete as AI advances. They discuss the Teach AI and CSTA report, "Guidance on the Future of Computer Science Education in an Age of AI," which outlines how computer science teaching must adapt to new AI technologies in the following briefs:

      1. Whether kids still need to learn to code.

      2. How AI can support teachers in teaching and feedback.

      3. How to teach students to be ethical, critical consumers of AI.

    2. The Importance of "Code Sense":The episode unpacks the Teach AI report's emphasis on "code sense"—the foundational understanding of programming that remains crucial despite AI’s capabilities. They discuss the need for students to learn coding to understand, debug, and critically assess AI-generated outputs.

    Live Audience Q&A:

    1. AI and Ethical Use:The audience engages with the topic of ethics in AI education, including the role of middle school educators in teaching students to use AI responsibly. Liz highlights the importance of starting these conversations early to help students develop critical thinking skills around technology.

    2. AI in Assessment:Discussion on Code.org’s AI Teaching Assistant, designed to support computer science teachers with real-time feedback and assessment. Teachers share their experiences and the potential benefits of integrating AI into the classroom.

    Short Stack Chat Back:Matt and Liz end the episode with their "Short Stack Chat Back," featuring an imagined response from Alan Turing on the importance of learning to code, emphasizing that students must be creators, not just consumers, of intelligent systems.

    Announcements:Matt and Liz announce upcoming live ChatEDU sessions with other organizations and tease future episodes focusing on AI in various educational settings. They invite listeners to join the conversation by emailing their thoughts and questions at chatedu@edadvance.org

    Related Links:

    • Teach AI and CSTA Report on the Future of Computer Science Education.https://www.teachai.org/cs

    • Google’s Notebook LM: https://research.google.com/notebook-lm/

    • Code.org AI Teaching Assistant: https://code.org/ai

    • Netflix Documentary "Coded Bias" https://www.netflix.com/title/81328723

    Contact Us:Have questions or comments? Email Matt and Liz at chatedu@edadvance.org. Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe to ChatEDU on your favorite podcast platform!


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    50 mins
  • Missing in Action - Why OpenAI Will Not Release Their AI Content Detection Tool | Ep. 28
    Sep 20 2024

    In this episode of ChatEDU (Missing in Action - Why OpenAI Won’t Release Their AI Content Detection Tool) Matt and Liz explore why OpenAI has not released their AI content detection tool and they unpack the funky intersection between a rock-solid content detection tool and competitive business interests.

    Getting Started:

    Matt and Liz discuss recent Surgeon General warnings, touching on topics like social media use, parental stress, and the challenges of modern parenting.

    In the News:

    1. Google's DeepMind and AI Literacy:

    • Introduction of AlphaProteo, a new tool for designing protein binders using AI.

    • Google.org's "Experience AI" program, offering free project-based resources for young people to create AI and machine learning projects.

    • Discussion on the importance of AI literacy beyond generative AI tools.

    2. Harvard Study on AI Tutors:

    • Results show AI tutors nearly doubling learning gains compared to traditional methods in a physics course.

    • AI tutors allowed for personalized, adaptive learning experiences.

    • Implications for the "flipped classroom" model and potential for more interactive, hands-on learning in class.

    3. OpenAI's New Model - O1 Preview:

    • Advancements in complex problem-solving and reasoning capabilities.

    • Discussion on potential risks, including a "medium" security risk for biological and chemical weapons development.

    Beneath the Surface: OpenAI's AI Detection Tool

    • OpenAI developed a watermarking system in 2022 to detect AI-generated text.

    • The company has not released this tool, likely due to competitive pressures and potential loss of users.

    • Discussion on the California Digital Content Provenance Standards Bill and its potential impact.

    • Comparison with YouTube's AI detection tools for content creators.

    Short Stack Chat Back:

    Mr. Rogers offers a gentle perspective on scientific advancements and the importance of using new technologies responsibly.

    Announcements:

    Matt and Liz will be recording their first live ChatEDU session with the Connecticut Computer Science Teachers Association.

    Upcoming episodes will feature live Q&A sessions.

    Have a question or comment? Please email Matt and Liz at chatedu@edadvance.org

    Related Links:

    • EdAdvance AI Resources: skills21.org/AI

    • Google’s AlphaProteo; https://deepmind.google/discover/blog/alphaproteo-generates-novel-proteins-for-biology-and-health-research/

    • Google's Experience AI challenge: https://blog.google/technology/families/improving-ai-literacy-in-young-people/

    • Harvard Study on AI Tutors: https://news.harvard.edu/gazette/story/2024/09/professor-tailored-ai-tutor-to-physics-course-engagement-doubled/?utm_source=perplexity

    • OpenAI O1 Preview: https://openai.com/index/introducing-openai-o1-preview/

    • OpenAI’s Unreleased Content Detection Tool: https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/370419/chatgpt-schools-ai-cheating-plagiarism-detection

      California Digital Content Provenance Standards Bill: https://digitaldemocracy.calmatters.org/bills/ca_202320240ab3211

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    49 mins