AI CAFE 2025

The AI Cafe podcasts 2024 mic drop episode looks back on a year of generative AI in education. Through the lens of a diverse cohort of educators ranging from early adopters to AI skeptics. The discussions highlight the evolving perceptions of AI, from initial fears of cheating and hindering critical thinking to recognizing its potential to enhance strategic thinking and critical analysis. The podc...

The conversation explores the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in education, and the varying policies across institutions. Participants discuss the importance of AI literacy for educators, the implications of banning AI tools, and the need for a balanced approach to technology in the classroom. The dialogue also touches on the intersection of AI and social justice, emphasizing the digi...

The conversation explores the overwhelming number of AI tools available to educators and our challenges in finding time to learn and implement them effectively. Participants discuss the importance of play in professional development, the need for targeted learning experiences, and the systemic changes required to support teachers in their ongoing learning. They emphasize the significance of intrin...

This week, we discussed the critical role of intrinsic motivation and passion in education, discussing how traditional educational systems often rely on extrinsic motivators. The group emphasized the need for relevance in learning, the integration of AI to connect to student passions, and the importance of authentic performance tasks that align with students’ interests. They also touch on standard...

This week, we discussed the balance between utilizing technology and maintaining foundational skills. The speakers discuss the importance of struggle in the learning process, the potential dangers of over-reliance on AI, and the need for structured, purposeful use of technology in educational settings. They reflect on their experiences with students and the challenges of integrating AI effectively...

The conversation explores the journey of embracing AI as a tool rather than a toy. The participants discuss the importance of vetting AI apps and the need for critical thinking when using AI-generated content. They also highlight the role of AI in personalization, project-based learning, and adaptive learning. The conversation touches on the challenges of integrating AI in education, including pol...

We began by exploring whether we're just using generative AI because it's the shiny new thing. We quickly agreed that Gen AI is definitely a massive time saver. But how much time did we each have to invest in learning, setting up, and tweaking generative AI tools to start seeing significant time savings? We discovered that the time ranged from less than 15 minutes to many, many hours, depending on...

This week, we discuss the need and practical challenges of tracking and assessing student assignments when generative AI is an approved tool. What reliable strategies can we use to see and evaluate students’ processes without increasing our workload? Follow on Twitter: @ideasforteacher @DrBioTom @jonHarper70bd @CFKurban @JBR_Kleinmann @bamradionetwork Resources: ChatGPT | AI LABS | School AI Dr. C...

This week, we talk about an AI tool that enables teachers to create custom chatbots for specific units, provide real-time insights into student progress, level reading material, assist with IEP goals, and create interactive “choose your own adventure” activities. It’s called a “walled garden” for their students, meaning all data and interactions stay within a secure AI environment. The AI tool is...

The number of new artificial intelligence tools available to educators is expanding faster than most of us can follow. This generative AI wave is introducing technologies into the classroom with many unknowns and limited vetting. This week, we explore how we can assess students’ experiences with GAI tools to identify what works. We explored models for making these assessments and uncovered a poten...

We start the new year by reflecting on our experiences with generative artificial intelligence in 2023 and the lessons we learned. We close by sharing our most useful discoveries and how we plan to use them in the year ahead. Follow on Twitter: @ideasforteacher @DrBioTom @jonHarper70bd @CFKurban @JBR_Kleinmann @bamradionetwork Resources: ChatGPT  | AI LABS | Dr. Caroline Fell Kurban is the advisor...

This week, we dove into AI image generators and how they can be used to engage students in higher-order thinking.  We explored and shared the results of testing and comparing several  AI image tools with real students in real classrooms.  We also exchanged in-class projects and activities that were assigned to students, noting what worked and what we learned from what didn't. We close with a list...

This week, we shared our experiences with AI-driven add-ons that enhance teaching and learning — from Clippy to Copilot. We explored ways to share grades with parents, simplify complex tasks like understanding Excel formulas, and adapt teaching methods in the face of AI’s growing presence in education. Follow on Twitter: @ideasforteacher @DrBioTom @jonHarper70bd @CFKurban @JBR_Kleinmann @bamradion...

Is using AI chatbots to provide feedback to students cheating, cutting corners, or failing to do our best for students?  This week, we discovered a hidden barrier to embracing AI, no matter how useful, how much time it saves, or how much it enhances the learning experience. It's the "G" word, and we explored how to get over it or get used to it, so we can be free to teach within our contracted hou...

The results students get from AI tools like ChatGPT and Bard depend on how well they’ve learned to communicate with these resources. In this session, we explore effective ways to help students learn and remember how to get what they want from these tools –including three useful acronyms. Follow on Twitter: @ideasforteacher @DrBioTom @jonHarper70bd @CFKurban @JBR_Kleinmann @bamradionetwork Resource...

Every week, we explore new and helpful ways generative artificial intelligence can support teaching and learning. This week we unwrapped a surprisingly engaging new resource that uses voice to teach and support students in novel ways. Follow on Twitter: @ideasforteacher @DrBioTom @jonHarper70bd @CFKurban @JBR_Kleinmann @bamradionetwork Resources Mentioned: ChatGPT Voice| Caroline Kurban’s YouTube...

How We Prepared to Head Back to School With Generative Artificial Intelligence Caroline Fell Kurban, Dan Jones, Juli Ross-Kleinmann, and Thomas Mennella It’s fascinating; this is the first back-to-school season in the age of generative artificial intelligence — historic. A middle school teacher, a university professor, an early childhood educator-tech coach, and an education researcher met to exch...

We all agree that grading papers, providing detailed feedback, and maintaining consistency across 100 or more papers are some of the most taxing tasks on a teacher’s to-do list. This week, we met at the AI Cafe to explore how artificial intelligence can help, what works, ethical considerations, and pitfalls to avoid. Follow on Twitter: @ideasforteacher @DrBioTom @jonHarper70bd @CFKurban @JBR_Klein...

Every week, we discover new and helpful ways generative artificial intelligence can support teaching and learning. We’ve also found a new world of student privacy discussions we need to have. This week, we exchanged steps we’re taking and some important steps we’re overlooking. Follow on Twitter: @ideasforteacher @DrBioTom @jonHarper70bd @CFKurban @JBR_Kleinmann @bamradionetwork Resources Mentione...

Every teacher is familiar with the three Rs,  but this week we all got a sample of why learning more about the three Fs may be just as crucial in the age of AI. Identifying what's fake, false, and phony is much more critical as generative AI grows capable of creating convincingly deceptive content online. Developing greater GAI media literacy is becoming an essential topic this summer. Follow our...

We review developments that may signal a historic week for ChatGPT, generative AI, and the possibilities for teaching and learning.  First, a look and new features and a decision that could lead to the end of policies banning ChatGPT in schools. Follow our PLN on Twitter: @JamesBrauer   @bamradionetwork @jonharper70bd Related Links and Sources: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman testifies during Senate hearing...

In this episode, we cover the TeachAI initiative, the start of the Great AI conversation, and why getting a seat at the table is so important. Next, we look behind the curtain at the wave of AI technology coming to classrooms and flashback to valuable lessons learned from the last tech frenzy. Follow our PLN on Twitter: @JamesBrauer   @bamradionetwork @jonharper70bd Related Links and Sources Teach...

In this episode, we cover the shifting ground beneath educators’ view of ChatGPT’s impact on student problem-solving and how many educators moved from seeing generative AI as a threat to viewing it as a powerful resource for teaching and learning. Follow our PLN on Twitter: @JamesBrauer @bamradionetwork @jonharper70bd Related Links and Sources Education professor explores ChatGPT as a tool for res...

In this episode, we cover why ChatGPT is safer for teachers, students, and schools and what you need to do to take advantage of the new features.  In the second segment, we share a creative approach to assessment in the age of AI. Follow our PLN on Twitter: @JamesBrauer  @bamradionetwork @jonharper70bd Related Links and Sources Americans and Privacy: Concerned, Confused, and Feeling Lack of Contro...

AI is transforming student writing.  Can the latest AI detection tools consistently identify student assignments completed with artificial intelligence? How much can we rely on them when assessing student work? Can artificial intelligence solve the grading problem it's creating?  We put these questions in perspective and explain what it means to be "GPT'd." Follow our PLN on Twitter: @JamesBrauer ...