Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators

In this episode of Shifting Schools, Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman discuss their upcoming training sessions focused on integrating AI into education. They emphasize the importance of understanding AI's impact on the job market, the necessity of prompt engineering as a new skill for educators, and the need for AI literacy among students. The conversation also touches on the evolving nature of AI...

On April 13th, 2018, Nepali New Year's Eve, the University of Texas at Tyler revoked full-ride scholarships it had previously awarded to 60 Nepali students. The university described it as "an administrative oversight." But the global education community knew that it was an unprecedented admissions crisis. The scholarships, which included tuition as well as room and board, were revoked well after m...

In this episode, Jeff Utecht, Tricia Friedman, and Dr. Curt Merlau discuss the transformative role of AI and data literacy in education and employment. They explore how Pivot, an AI-powered tool, helps unemployed individuals find better job opportunities and training. The conversation emphasizes the importance of data literacy for educators and the potential of AI to personalize learning and impro...

In this conversation, Tricia Friedman and LeeAnne Lavendar discuss the evolving landscape of service learning and education. They explore the importance of experiential learning, community engagement, and the need for transformative teaching practices that resonate with students. LeeAnne shares practical examples and insights on how educators can adapt their approaches to foster curiosity, joy, an...

In this episode, Jeff Utecht interviews Jack Brewster, CEO of Newsreel , discussing the importance of news literacy, the impact of misinformation, and how Newsreel aims to engage students with high-quality news. They explore the role of social media and AI in journalism, the skills needed for future journalists, and how educators can utilize Newsreel to enhance students' critical thinking and medi...

Tricia Friedman and Dr. Joshua Scacco explore the evolving landscape of political communication, emphasizing the impact of technology and attention fatigue on democracy. They discuss the dual nature of change in political engagement, the importance of understanding human behavior, and the challenges posed by the entertainmentification of politics. Scacco highlights the need for future researchers...

In this episode of Shifting Schools, Jeff Utecht interviews Dr. Annalies Corbin, author of 'Hacking School: Five Strategies to Link Learning to Life.' They discuss the origins of the PAST Foundation, the importance of STEM identity, and the five key strategies for educational reform. Annalies emphasizes the need for cultural relevance, student agency, and problem-based learning in education. They...

What if AI could help schools not just support educators as they work to manage student mental health needs, but  prevent crises before they start? In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Elsa Friis, licensed clinical psychologist from Alongside , returns to discuss how her team is using clinician-built AI tools to support students, educators, and families. From building trust through anonymity to...

How do we prepare students—and ourselves—for a world where AI grief companions and "deadbots" are a reality? In this eye-opening episode, Jeff Utecht sits down with Dr. Tomasz Hollanek , a critical design and AI ethics researcher at the University of Cambridge's Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence , to discuss: The rise of AI companions like Character. AI and Replika Emotional manipul...

In this episode of Shifting Schools, Jeff Utecht speaks with Jackie Insinger and Monica White about their book, 'Spark Brilliance for Educators.' They discuss the application of positive psychology in education, the importance of addressing teacher burnout, and the transformative impact of the Spark framework on both teachers and students. The conversation highlights the significance of authentic...

In this conversation, Tricia Friedman speaks with  Tania Tasopoulou , a business psychologist and organizational development expert with more than 25 years of experience in Europe and the GCC. Tania has led executive roles at global organizations including Coca-Cola HBC and King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), and began her career at Korn Ferry (formerly Hay Group S.A.), whe...

In this conversation, Tricia Friedman and Rachael Mann explore the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on education, the workforce, and various industries. They discuss the importance of preparing educators and students for the changes brought about by AI, emphasizing that it's not too late to start engaging with these technologies. The conversation also touches on the intersecti...

In this conversation, Tricia Friedman speaks with Jerome James about the evolving landscape of engineering, the importance of curiosity and problem-solving skills, and how AI is changing the profession. They discuss the intersection of engineering and mental health, the significance of effective communication in energy management, and the qualities employers seek in engineers. Jerome shares insigh...

What does it mean to embracing change in the  Fourth Industrial Revolution? Our special guest talks about the skills and mindset we need to embrace. Welcome to our summer series on the future world of work. We kick it off with Ann Nakaska. Ann Nakaska M.Ed. CDF has a background in psychology, education, and business. She specializes in career decision making and career planning with a special inte...

Listeners voted and told us this summer they wanted us to tell them more about the future world of work. Jeff and Tricia will bring listeners an incredible lineup of experts from a broad range of industries to tell us more about where we are heading. The summer series is proud to partner with Alongside. Tune in June 16th to catch the first episode in our summer of great conversations.

In this conversation, Erin Williamson from Love 146 discusses the organization's core values of defiant hope and unfiltered joy, emphasizing the importance of trauma-informed care in supporting youth who have experienced trafficking. She highlights the necessity of a collective effort in addressing these complex issues and the role of policy in protecting victims. The discussion also touches on th...

In this conversation, Dr. Loui Lord Nelson discusses the connections between technical theater and Universal Design for Learning (UDL), emphasizing the importance of intentional design in educational environments. The conversation explores barriers to implementing UDL, the significance of emotional connections in learning, and the necessity of fostering collaboration and community among learners....

In this episode of Shifting Schools, Jeff Utecht interviews Nicholas Bradford, founder of the National Center for Restorative Justice. They discuss the importance of restorative justice in education, the training and engagement strategies for teachers, and the current trends in school management and student engagement. Nicholas shares insights on the future of restorative justice, emphasizing the...

This is a topic so nice, Jeff just had to talk about it twice! If you missed last week's episode you might want to check it out first, it is a great precursor to this conversation where Jeff Utecht explores the integration of AI in trade classrooms, focusing on material selection, safety simulations, and the pedagogical benefits of using AI tools. He emphasizes the importance of preparing students...

In this episode, Jeff Utecht explores the transformative impact of AI in Career and Technical Education (CTE) classrooms, particularly in construction and welding. He discusses how generative AI tools can enhance learning and efficiency, providing real-world applications and examples. The conversation emphasizes the importance of preparing students for a future where AI plays a crucial role in ski...

In this episode of the Shifting Schools podcast, Tricia Friedman introduces a month-long challenge focused on playing with ideas. She discusses the importance of crafting personal stories as a means of reflection for educators and introduces a new generative AI bot designed to assist in this process. The episode encourages listeners to engage with the provided resources and share their experiences...

This week we speak with internationally renowned physician and nutritionist, and New York Times  bestselling author Dr. Michael Greger about his upcoming book, THE HOW NOT TO AGE COOKBOOK: 100+ Recipes for Getting Healthier and Living Longer   is a   fully illustrated cookbook filled with recipes to make you healthier as you age.   In  The   How Not to Age Cookbook , decades of scientific research...

In this episode, Tricia Friedman discusses the importance of algorithmic literacy in media literacy, introducing a free guide designed for families and friends to engage in co-learning activities over the summer. The guide emphasizes emotional health and community engagement through various challenges that encourage participants to explore media's impact on their lives and relationships.   Grab th...

Jeff Utecht and Aaron Makelky discuss the integration of AI in education, focusing on how teachers can effectively leverage technology to enhance student learning. Aaron shares his journey as a high school social studies teacher and how he began using AI tools like ChatGPT in his classroom. They explore the importance of teaching AI literacy, the need for structured learning environments, and the...

Tricia Friedman discusses the upcoming Earth Day and introduces a free guide aimed at helping educators engage students in sustainability discussions. The SEED guide emphasizes the intersection of AI and sustainability, encouraging a comprehensive approach to environmental education. Additionally, Tricia highlights a student competition for designing a new logo for Shifting Schools, promoting crea...