This post may seem primarily for those who teach writing, as opposed to my usual posts that work for most content areas or teaching in general. However, even if you don’t teach writing, you might get a nugget by looking into how the analogy of fishing, coupled with some brain science (dual coding) or researched-based strategy (graphic organizer) can aid you in a way to present your content that makes sense to students when traditional ways may be failing. While graphic organizers can tap into the power of dual-coding merely by having shapes to which students then add words or text, when teachers (or students) also add images or clipart, it boosts the power of the learning so that it has a better chance of going from a student’s working memory to their long-term memory. I approach most of my activity creations with that in mind when students need something new from me to help them master the content.
DON’T YOU KNOW I’M STILL STANDIN’ BETTER THAN I EVER DID?
Recently, my last-period class of freshmen was struggling with creating an introductory paragraph as we dove head-first into our blended essay writing unit. It’s still early in the school year, so students are still getting into the learning mode as opposed to summer mode. As we discussed the parts of an introductory paragraph, we reminded them of the hook sentence, the bridge sentences, and then the thesis. Students generally understand and remember the hook, and they know they have to have a thesis, but generally speaking, students in several grade levels struggle with those bridge sentences. As mine struggled, I mentioned to the class that I needed a better word for them than bridge. Something that we could use in class that made more sense. A student in the back of the class responded, “Well, you have a hook, what about fish? A hook needs fish.” Okay, in my 28 years of teaching, why didn’t I ever think of that? The rest of the class period, we successfully had students writing hooks, fish sentences, and thesis statements.
LOOKIN’ LIKE A TRUE SURVIVOR, FEELIN’ LIKE A LITTLE KID
During my prep period the next day, I considered the analogy and modified it a bit as I created a graphic organizer for writing introductory paragraphs. While we have used outlines in the past, and those are great too, this class needed the information chunked, and I wanted to use research-based graphic organizers along with the learning or brain science of dual coding. I created a Google Slide that could be printed or used digitally to help students write good introductory paragraphs.
AND I’M STILL STANDIN’ AFTER ALL THIS TIME
That worked so well that I decided to carry the analogy further and do the entire essay. A quick, but possibly not super thorough, turned up nothing like my Fishing strategy for essay writing, so here you go. I asked ChatGPT for help on the title page so that educators know they can use it for free but should not sell it or take credit for it, and ChatGPT not only told me how to word it, but that I should get a Creative Commons (CC) or other license for it too, so I did. (PESA-Public Educator Service Announcement: ChatGPT can help you with areas outside of lesson planning and grading papers.)
I’M STILL STANDIN’ (YEAH, YEAH, YEAH)
Adapt it to fit your student’s needs. Instructions are in the gray non-printing areas for students completing it digitally. If you are using sheet protectors as whiteboards like I am, then these are great to print as a class set and put inside your DIY whiteboards to practice different parts of the essay. It works hand in hand with having students read a variety of texts too, without having to grade a lot of essays, in part or in whole, constantly. The practice and repetition with the essay structure will help students write organized essays, and these can be used throughout the year with any reading material, as long as you have or can create a question or prompt from the text. Use them for write/pair/shares (like think/pair/share but writing the thinking on the whiteboards or printed graphic organizers) too, and just like that, you have a valuable formative tool.
Feel free to grab the Fishing Essay Graphic Organizer template below. Specific permissions on how you can use it is explained on the first slide of the presentation.
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As instructional leaders and coaches, we have the incredible opportunity to elevate the effectiveness of teaching and cultivate a culture of continual growth in our schools. Embracing the new school year, review an array of high-impact instructional strategies that can truly ignite learning experiences within our classrooms. Each strategy presented in this post is accompanied by a practical application that can readily inspire teachers through an example and how coaches can support teachers in implementing these research-based strategies in their classrooms. Our mission is to empower teachers to incorporate these strategies into their lessons while providing them with supportive coaching along the way to build their confidence and instructional toolkit.
As a coach, focus on three to five of these strategies to start. Then, when you are on a coaching cycle with a teacher, focus on ONE of these strategies during a single coaching cycle interval. Additionally, each of these strategies can be done with or without technology integrated. It will depend on whether the lesson requires technology or if a teacher deems that technology may provide more opportunities for students to take in the content and skills learned to then put them into action in demonstrating their learning in a formative manner and summatively.
As instructional leaders and coaches, we hold the power to transform teaching and learning in our schools along with our teachers. By embracing these high-impact research-based instructional strategies throughout our classrooms, we can ignite profound learning experiences and cultivate a culture of growth in our classrooms for our students. Explore each strategy, classroom example, and coaching example to inspire and empower your work as you move into this school year!
Definition:Providing students with immediate and regular feedback aimed at effort, improvement, and mastery rather than relative performance. It involves both teacher and peer assessments. It can be done throughout an entire class session with formative assessment. Note: Be sure to provide feedback in a way that requires students to use the feedback in action as feedback without deliberate action of implementing the feedback is not as effective.
Classroom Example:In a science class, a teacher addresses a student’s misunderstanding about a chemistry concept right away during guided practice as the teacher presents the content during an interactive Pear Deck presentation as it embeds formative assessment throughout the presentation, instead of waiting until the end of the lesson. Additionally, key items from the lesson can be assessed when a teacher uses exit tickets to assess students’ grasp of the concept, providing opportunities for reteaching where necessary for the next time they will be focused on the content from this lesson.
Coaching Tip:Coaches can assist teachers in creating effective feedback mechanisms such as templates of interactive presentations, rubrics, and exit tickets. They can model through co-teaching or teach a lesson sequence with the teacher observing how to provide immediate, growth-focused feedback and how to structure peer assessments effectively.
Strategy 2: Retrieval Practice Techniques to Support Memory Recall
Definition:These techniques involve regular use of recall-based activities that enhance the retention and application of previously learned information. This can look like flashcards, formative assessments, or even activating prior knowledge based on an image or video that was about what was learned in a previous lesson. Note: Retrieval practice, formative assessment, and facilitating feedback are strategies that can be sequenced together during lessons.
Classroom Example: An English teacher begins each class with warm-up questions from previous lessons – like matching vocabulary terms with their definitions. Also, concept checks are embedded throughout the lesson such as the use of formative assessment using either mini-whiteboards or interactive slides such as Pear Deck, Nearpod, or Canva whiteboard, prompting students to recall key ideas and providing necessary feedback, if needed, before proceeding.
Coaching Tip: Coaches can support teachers in creating recall-based activities such as quizzes, brain dumps, or concept checks. They can also advise on how to incorporate these into lessons and homework assignments effectively.
Strategy 3: Generative Learning Strategiesto Process and Reorganized Learning Information
Definition: These strategies involve students actively processing and reorganizing information. They can include tasks like explaining concepts in their own words, creating examples or diagrams, and making predictions. Note: Be sure students have quite a bit of background knowledge in the content you will want to utilize for this strategy before implementing it.
Classroom Example: A history teacher asks students to explain a historical event “as if I don’t know it.” The students create their own diagrams to represent their understanding and compare similar events. This can be done with or without tech. Sketchnoting, word webs, or even student-created videos or podcasts discussing the historical event could all be examples of how this is done by students.
Coaching Tip:Coaches can demonstrate how to incorporate generative tasks into lessons and can provide feedback on the quality of tasks teachers have created. They can also suggest ways to scaffold these tasks for students at different ability levels.
Strategy 5: Spacing and Interleaving Techniquesto Improve Practice of Concepts and Skills Taught In Class
Definition: These techniques involve distributing practice over multiple sessions and mixing different types of content or problems within a single session. This can be done through practice problems given during independent practice. Note: We do not need to give our students hundreds of practice problems for them to improve their skills.
Classroom Example: A math teacher spreads out practice on a particular concept over multiple short sessions and interleaves different types of problems within a practice set. An example would be five addition problems followed by two subtraction problems and one addition problem at the end of the problem set.
Coaching Tip:Coaches can help teachers design their curriculum to incorporate spacing and interleaving. They can also suggest how to balance the rotation of old and new content. Coaches can build a template or calendar of how practice problem sets should be built and then distributed throughout the week. Then, they can support teachers by monitoring the practice they give students and at what intervals the practice is happening to support teachers in building this as a routine in their classroom.
Strategy 6: Scaffolding
Definition: Scaffolding refers to providing temporary support to students as they learn new concepts. Teachers can gradually decrease this support as students develop the skills and understanding to work independently.
Classroom Example: In a writing class, a teacher may initially provide a detailed writing template as the mentor text. Over time, the teacher might reduce the level of detail in the template, eventually only providing a simple outline, and finally asking students to create their own outline from scratch.
Coaching Tip: Coaches can support teachers by sharing effective scaffolding methods and resources. They can also help in determining when and how to reduce scaffolding based on students’ progress. For example, a coach can support teachers in reviewing their assessment data to then determine what support they may need to provide students. Additionally, they can also support a teacher in evaluating when they can begin to gradually release support over time during a given lesson or unit.
Strategy 7:Gradual Release Model (I Do, We Do, You Do)
Definition: The Gradual Release Model is an effective method of instruction that moves from teacher-centered to student-centered learning. The process involves three stages: “I do” (teacher demonstrates), “We do” (teacher and students work together), and “You do” (students work independently). Note: Scaffolding and gradual release tend to go together in tandem during an instructional sequence.
Classroom Example: In a math lesson, the teacher first demonstrates a problem-solving method (I do). The class then works through several similar problems together (We do). Finally, students solve similar problems independently or in small groups (You do). In this sequence, using mini-whiteboards or an interactive digital slideshow is helpful as then a teacher can see student progress over the course of this instructional sequence.
Coaching Tip: Coaches can assist teachers in structuring their lessons around the Gradual Release Model. This might include providing guidance on how to effectively demonstrate new concepts and techniques, facilitate collaborative work, and support independent student work. Coaches can also model how this looks in a teacher’s class as well as then plan a lesson with a teacher and observe the teacher practicing this strategy in action and then provide feedback.
Strategy 8: Modeling Content or Skills During Direct Instruction
Definition: Modeling is an instructional strategy in which the teacher demonstrates a new concept or skill to students in a step-by-step process. The teacher models the thought process as well as the actions so that students can see the “how” and the “why” of what they’re learning. This strategy is part of the gradual release of responsibility model, where the responsibility for task completion shifts gradually from the teacher to the student.
Classroom Example: In a writing lesson, a teacher could use modeling to teach students how to craft a compelling introduction for an essay. The teacher might write an introduction on the board, explaining their thought process out loud—why they chose specific words, how they structured their sentences, what information they included to hook the reader, etc.
Coaching Tip: Instructional coaches can support teachers by providing examples of effective modeling and giving feedback on their modeling techniques. Coaches can also model the modeling process—for instance, they might model a mini-lesson or co-teaching alongside the teacher they are working with, demonstrating not just the content, but also their thought process during the modeling sequence. This meta-modeling can be a powerful way to help teachers understand and apply effective modeling techniques in their own classrooms depending on the content and skills they are teaching their students.
Strategy 9:Formative Assessmentthroughout Lessons
Definition: Formative assessment is a range of formal and informal assessment procedures conducted by teachers during the learning process to modify teaching and learning activities. These assessments aim to improve student attainment throughout a lesson sequence. They serve as practice for students, check-ins for both student and teacher and a guide for teachers in planning future instruction and interventions in real-time or for a lesson in the future. Note: Mini-whiteboards, interactive slides, and short multiple-choice assessments tend to be some of the easiest mechanisms to deliver formative assessments.
Classroom Example: A science teacher could conduct a formative assessment by giving a short quiz on the material covered in that week’s lessons at the beginning and at the end of the class period. This allows the teacher to see which concepts students have understood and which they might be struggling with. The teacher can then use this information to adjust their lesson plans, providing additional instruction or practice on difficult concepts.
Alternatively, formative assessment can be as informal as a class discussion or a “thumbs up, thumbs down” quick check for understanding. The key is that the information gathered is used to inform instruction.
Coaching Tip: Instructional coaches can guide teachers in using formative assessments effectively by helping them design assessments that are aligned with learning objectives, providing feedback on the use of assessment data, and suggesting modifications or additional supports based on assessment results.
Strategy 10: Reduce Cognitive Load
Definition: Cognitive Load Theory (CLT) is an instructional design theory that uses the science of how the human brain processes information to inform the design of learning materials so they are easy to comprehend and remember. In essence, it emphasizes the importance of understanding and optimizing the cognitive load — the total amount of mental effort used in the working memory — during learning. Note: Many of the strategies discussed can reduce cognitive load, such as modeling in chunks, scaffolding, and gradual release sequences.
Classroom Example: A teacher introducing a complex concept, like photosynthesis, might first present the overall process in a simplified way, then progressively introduce details about each part. They might also use diagrams and real-life examples to help illustrate each part by chunking the information. By doing this, the teacher is intentionally managing students’ cognitive load, ensuring they’re not overwhelmed with too much information at once. Other examples include using only pertinent information in all displays of information to students. Reducing any extraneous information is helpful in managing cognitive load.
Coaching Tip: Coaches can support teachers in managing cognitive load by helping them to break down complex topics into manageable chunks. They can also support teachers in developing a variety of engaging, multimodal resources and teaching strategies, such as using visuals, analogies, and real-world examples, to support students’ understanding and reduce cognitive overload. Additionally, coaches can provide teachers with feedback related to how much extraneous information they may need to be watchful during their lessons – such as cutting out irrelevant information related to the topic during direct instruction.
Conclusion – Think Less is More and Sustainability
As coaches, we need to model why less is more and what sustainable teaching looks like to the teachers we are coaching. As mentioned at the beginning of this post, we need to focus on only one major strategy at once. Then, during our coaching sessions with teachers, model how that strategy looks, and how it can be incorporated into lessons, and then provide co-teaching and feedback opportunities to the teacher to support them in practicing the strategy over time in their classrooms. Last, focus on how teachers can use these strategies in a sustainable manner. What this means is developing the classroom routines and workflow in planning that allow these strategies to be readily utilized and practiced. Additionally, ensure teachers that not every lesson needs to have each of these strategies – it’s a matter of having these strategies in their toolkit to be used throughout the week is what ultimately matters most.
References
Agarwal, P. K. (2019). Powerful teaching: Unleash the science of learning. John Wiley & Sons. (Retrieval Practice Techniques)
Archer, A. L., & Hughes, C. A. (2011). Explicit instruction: Effective and efficient teaching. Guilford Press. (Modeling Strategy)
Black, P., & Wiliam, D. (1998). Assessment and Classroom Learning. Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy & Practice, 5(1), 7-74. (Formative Assessment Strategy)
Brookhart, S. M. (2017). How to give effective feedback to your students. ASCD. (Strategies for Facilitating Feedback)
Brown, P. C., Roediger III, H. L., & McDaniel, M. A. (2014). Make it stick: The science of successful learning. Belknap Press. (Retrieval Practice Techniques)
Cepeda, N. J., Pashler, H., Vul, E., Wixted, J. T., & Rohrer, D. (2006). Distributed practice in verbal recall tasks: A review and quantitative synthesis. Psychological Bulletin, 132(3), 354. (Spacing and Interleaving Techniques)
Fisher, D., & Frey, N. (2008). Better learning through structured teaching: A framework for the gradual release of responsibility. ASCD. (Gradual Release Strategy)
Fisher, D., & Frey, N. (2014). Better learning through structured teaching: A framework for the gradual release of responsibility. ASCD. (Gradual Release Strategy)
Fiorella, L., & Mayer, R. E. (2015). Learning as a generative activity: Eight learning strategies that promote understanding. Cambridge University Press. (Generative Learning Strategies)
Gibbons, P. (2014). Scaffolding language, scaffolding learning: Teaching second language learners in the mainstream classroom. Heinemann. (Scaffolding Strategy)
Hattie, J., & Timperley, H. (2007). The Power of Feedback. Review of Educational Research, 77(1), 81-112. (Strategies for Facilitating Feedback)
Kirschner, P. A., & Hendrick, C. (2020). How learning happens: Seminal works in educational psychology and what they mean in practice. Routledge.
Kirschner, P. A., & Hendrick, C. (2023). How teaching happens: Applying the science of learning in the classroom. Routledge.
Mayer, R. E. (2011). Applying the science of learning. Pearson. (Generative Learning Strategies)
OpenAI’s GPT-4 (2023, July 25). Personal communication. Instructional Coaching and Instructional Strategies.
Pearson, P. D., & Gallagher, M. C. (1983). The instruction of reading comprehension. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 8(3), 317-344. (Gradual Release Strategy)
Rohrer, D., Dedrick, R. F., & Stershic, S. (2015). Interleaved practice improves mathematics learning. Journal of Educational Psychology, 107(3), 900. (Spacing and Interleaving Techniques)
Roediger, H. L., & Karpicke, J. D. (2006). Test-enhanced learning: Taking memory tests improves long-term retention. Psychological Science, 17(3), 249-255. (Retrieval Practice Techniques)
Sweller, J., Ayres, P., & Kalyuga, S. (2011). Cognitive load theory (Explorations in the learning sciences, instructional systems and performance technologies). New York, NY: Springer.
Vygotsky, L. (1978). Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press. (Scaffolding Strategy)
Wittrock, M. C. (1974). A Generative Model of Mathematics Learning. Journal for Research in Mathematics Education, 5(4), 181. (Generative Learning Strategies)
Wong, H. K., & Wong, R. T. (2009). The first days of school: How to be an effective teacher. Harry K. Wong Publications. (I Do, We Do, You Do Strategy)
Interested in guest blogging or learning more about Rachelle’s work?
Contact Rachelle to schedule sessions for your school about Artificial Intelligence, Coding, AR/VR, and more! Follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @Rdene915
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Preparation for college, university, and future careers starts early. High school students start thinking about what careers they might want to pursue in the future as early as their freshman year.
School courses can help students identify areas of interest or uncover specific talents. Other students find working part-time jobs gives them an idea of what they’re good at and extracurriculars or school clubs also allow students the opportunity to explore their passions. Additionally, students find that volunteering exposes them to careers or areas of work they might not have otherwise considered.
Over the years, districts have continued to see the importance and impact of civic engagement on students. Community-engaged students have improved student outcomes for many reasons: students develop important skills through volunteering, have leadership opportunities, experience a sense of belonging, and grow socially and emotionally as they serve others. Students also learn vital skills that allow them to find success in their lives after high school.
Educators work hard to ensure students receive a proper academic education but also are pivotal in spurring students on as they grow individually. As your students are exploring potential career paths and determining what they want to pursue after high school, encourage them to volunteer. As students are thinking about where to volunteer or complete their service hours, encourage students to reflect on what their areas of interest are. This is so personal to each student but it allows them to identify potential areas of focus or interests that could lead to a career path. From there, work with the student to identify opportunities or encourage the student to research needs in the community that would give them some real hands-on experience. Volunteering allows students to help others, see the impact of their work, and explore career interests.
Here are volunteer opportunities and service ideas for students to explore various career paths:
Social Services Agencies: Offering time at agencies supporting the homeless, elderly, or individuals with disabilities, allows students to explore careers in social work, counseling, or healthcare.
Political Campaigns: Students can assist in local political campaigns to learn more about the process. This is helpful for students interested in politics or public policy.
Art and Music Programs: Students interested in fine arts, art history, or music can volunteer at local art galleries or community music programs to gain insight into the arts and culture sector.
Community Events and Festivals: Volunteering to help organize or run community events is a great experience for students interested in hospitality or event planning.
Tutoring/Mentoring: Students with an interest in teaching can start by tutoring or mentoring other students to get a feel for a career in education.
Animal Shelter or Zoo: Students interested in veterinary careers or even zoology can gain experience and insight into the industry.
Technology or Marketing: Students interested in technology can volunteer to teach coding or basic tech-related lessons at community centers or nursing homes. Students interested in social media or marketing can put those skills to use volunteering to manage social media for local organizations.
Environmental Conservation Projects/ Community Gardens: Students can participate in a community garden or an environmental conversation project to learn about agriculture, sustainable practices, environmental sciences, or urban planning.
Library or Museums: Students can volunteer at a library or museum to gain insights into the world of archiving, curation, and education which can be useful for students interested in the arts, history, or information science.
Sports or Recreation Programs: Volunteer with youth sports teams or recreational programs. This can help students explore careers in coaching or sports management.
Outcomes of Service
Students can make a huge difference in their communities, and be engaged with others around them while exploring various careers and interests that will set them up for success.
Through volunteering, students can start making connections in their desired industry and gain experience that will benefit them long term. Students can discover new interests and talents, or conversely, realize specific careers aren’t for them.
There are so many benefits students experience while impacting their communities. Educators play a crucial role in leading students through this process and x2VOL is here to support schools and districts in these endeavors.
x2VOL makes it easy to manage community service and work-based learning all online. With benefits for students, educators, and district leaders, x2VOL provides functionalities to remove the burden of hours tracking and reporting, providing educators the space to engage students in these important developmental opportunities. Learn more about how x2VOL supports schools and districts in our demo.
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The world is constantly evolving and the skills that are in demand now may not be needed five years from now. Jobs are changing, technology is becoming even more advanced and careers that exist today may not be needed in the future. And on the other side, there are many jobs that don’t exist yet that will need to be filled by the students in our classrooms today. How do we prepare for what we can’t truly know and understand? We need to make sure that all students have opportunities to explore a variety of topics, careers and learn about their areas of interest and about themselves. We need to spark curiosity for learning and help to guide students to discovering what they might actually be interested in.
Students need to be active in learning and have time to explore the world around them. In some classrooms, students may experience passive learning and solely be consuming content, rather than creating. To amplify learning for students today, we need experiences that will potentially cause some chaos and shift from what has been the traditional classroom structure. Instead, we need to extend learning beyond our classroom space and embrace new learning models that promote student agency and spark curiosity for learning. We need methods and opportunities that foster the development of essential SEL skills and that will best prepare students for the future through real-world learning opportunities. Students need to understand the relevance of what they are learning in our classrooms and how that applies to the real world and careers that are available to them.
Finding methods and tools that will best meet student interests and needs is essential. In education, we have been focusing on the development of “21st-century skills” for many years. We can’t possibly know everything about what the future holds for students when it comes to careers and specific skills, so to prepare, we must help students build a variety of skills. With opportunities that support students as they learn how to adapt to changes and become flexible in learning and growing, will prepare them for whatever the world of work will look like five, ten, or more years from now. Defined Careers offers information that is applicable to all grade levels and has information for many different areas of work. It includes job descriptions, education requirements, and salary information. Recent webinars from Defined Learning have also focused on careers that are in demand and how to engage students in career-connected learning.
Here are three more ways to spark curiosity for careers of the future and engage students in career-focused learning:
CTE and Work-based learning: It is important for students to continue to learn about the career options that are available and how they may be changing. With CTE, work-based learning, and even job shadowing programs, students can gain practical and real-world insights into different fields. In the classroom, students can learn about careers and speak with people in their local community. However, being able to experience what it is like in the work environment, and interact with people who are working in careers of interest to students, will have a bigger impact. There are opportunities available locally and virtually that will greatly benefit students. By partnering with local businesses and professionals, inviting guest speakers, and involving students in real-world, hands-on projects, they will become more aware of the opportunities available to them. Through these experiences, they learn about what their interests are and how they can make an impact in the world. Diving into the Defined Careers resources can also help students learn more about specific careers and the types of work that may be involved. Career Course focuses on providing students with relevant career experiences and skills needed for a specific career. Each career course is a collection of projects that gives students hands-on learning opportunities.
Place-based learning: By shifting our focus from solely the content area, we can identify a geographical area or the culture of a place as a way to build content knowledge and help students develop SEL skills. Through place-based learning, we place students into the community to collaborate with local businesses, entrepreneurs, and other organizations. These experiences give students an opportunity to apply the content they are learning in the real world. They foster the development of student agency, boost student engagement, and enhance student awareness of the issues and perspectives of the world around them. To further engage students, we can organize field trips to relevant locations, invite guest speakers from the community, and encourage students to research and present on local challenges and solutions.
Project-based learning (PBL): With PBL, students take the lead in deciding what they want to learn and how they want to learn it. With PBL, students choose an area of interest, design their own learning journey and through the experience, see the process of learning rather than a finite end point. In our classroom, we explored a variety of student-chosen topics and also incorporated the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the projects. We can help students to become more globally aware and involved in finding solutions to challenges faced in the world. PBL helps students to become more independent in learning while developing essential SEL skills such as self-management and social awareness.
STEM-focused learning: We want to make sure that students take a break from technology, especially during the summer, however, there are some great resources available for students to explore on their own. With sites such as Defined Learning, Code.org, and Khan Academy, students can explore different STEM-focused courses and resources. With these tools, they can explore in-demand topics like data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and other STEM-related fields and be more involved through the interactive modules, videos, and other resources that are offered. Online platforms like these and many others like them enable students to explore areas of interest at their own pace and develop skills that may lead them toward a specific career. Find guest speakers who can provide some personal insight into careers in STEM-related fields and the importance of building skills that are applicable to these areas.
There are many options available to inform students of the possibilities for their future careers. While we may not know exactly which jobs will still exist, we do know that there are specific skills that will help students stay flexible and adapt to the changing landscape of learning and work. Through these real-world opportunities, students will make connections that will positively impact their learning and hopefully, spark curiosity or make them aware of areas they have an interest in for their future
About the Author:
Rachelle Dené is a Spanish and STEAM: What’s Next in Emerging Technology Teacher at Riverview High School in Oakmont, PA. Rachelle is also an attorney with a Juris Doctor degree from Duquesne University School of Law and a Master’s in Instructional Technology. Rachelle is an ISTE Certified Educator and Community Leader and served as president of the ISTE Teacher Education Network. She was named one of 30 K-12 IT Influencers to follow in 2021.
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Building skills in STEM-related fields especially in computer science is important for our students today. The World Economic Forum stated that approximately 1 billion jobs will be transformed by technology over the course of the next 10 years and the Bureau of Labor Statistics “predicts a 13% growth in computer and IT-related fields between 2020 and 2030. As educators, we must continue to find ways to best prepare all students for the rapidly evolving world we live in. A valuable skill that we can equip them with is computer science. By exploring the careers that are highlighted through Defined Careers, students become aware of the different fields that require skills in computer science the types of jobs that will exist in the future, and how to prepare.
Although not every teacher has a computer science background, it is important to find ways to bring related learning activities into our classrooms for the benefits they can offer students. There are many advantages of integrating computer science into different grade levels and content areas through activities and projects. Defined Learning offers many resources that can help educators to get started.
What are the benefits of computer science for students?
Computer science helps students to develop some of the essential skills that are required in the world of work and that will continue to be needed, even though we don’t necessarily know what types of jobs will exist. Computer science-related learning can help students to build the following skills:
Analytical Thinking: Students will need to learn how to analyze by examining data, identifying patterns, and making data-driven decisions as they learn. Provide students with some problems to solve and task them with analyzing various aspects of it and potential solutions.
Collaboration: Students can work together in teams to explore computer science topics or work through activities together. In these experiences, they not only develop skills related to the content but also other skills in collaboration, critical thinking, and problem-solving, they learn to work together as a team as they push through challenges that may come with learning. It will prepare them for future careers where collaboration is essential.
Creativity and Innovation: By allowing students to design their own projects, such as creating apps, designing websites, or even games, they learn about computer science in an engaging way. These experiences also empower them to bring their ideas to life and spark their creativity!
Problem-Solving Skills: Computer science encourages students to develop their critical thinking skills and be better able to solve complex problems in learning and in the future. Through lessons in coding and programming, students will learn to break down tasks into smaller, manageable steps. These skills are essential when thinking about SEL skills and developing resilience in learning and dealing with challenges.
Ideas for exploring computer science
Coding: There is an increase in need for people with coding skills and that need will continue to grow over the next five years. A predicted 58 million STEM-related jobs will exist, many of which will require coding skills. Some options include Code.org, Scratch, or Tynker which offer age-appropriate coding activities that make learning fun. Matatalab has several robots available for learners as young as 3 and which provide screen-free coding options too. For younger students, trying the KIBO robot from KinderLab Robotics is a great option. Code with Google is focused on closing equity gaps in computer science opportunities and it provides free resources for students.
Hour of Code: Even though the Hour of Code happens during December, it is something that should be a focus throughout the year. There are many websites that offer activities for all grade levels. Options to explore include Scratch and Scratch Jr. which are designed for kids and available for free. CS Unplugged is an option that does not require computers, which promotes accessibility for all students.
Game or App Development: Students can try MIT App inventor and other online tools to create their own game. It can be done as a project-based learning experience. Students can design and create their own video games, and focus on the process of learning. Students can design and build mobile apps using platforms such as App Inventor or Swift Playgrounds that offer beginner-friendly environments for app development. These will help to encourage students to take some risks and hopefully spark curiosity for coding and computer science.
ISTE Curriculum: ISTE offers free curriculum guides for computer science educators that also bring in Artificial intelligence learning into the classroom. These guides are full of standards, resources, activities, and lesson plans that make it easy to get started. The guides are focused on elementary, secondary, computer science, electives, and ethics.
Robotics:There are a lot of resources for students to learn about robotics and explore more about what a career in computer science might involve.
Regardless of whether computer science may not be our primary field of expertise, integrating it into our classrooms can be incredibly beneficial for our students. The advantages include the development of problem-solving skills, enhanced creativity, real-world learning experiences, fostering collaborative skills, and analytical thinking. By exploring coding challenges, robotics, game and web development, data analysis, and app development, students can gain valuable computer science skills.
About the Author
Rachelle Dené Poth is a Spanish and STEAM Educator at Riverview High School in Oakmont, PA. She is also an Attorney, Edtech Consultant, Speaker, and the Author of seven books about education and edtech. Rachelle is available to provide PD on Artificial Intelligence, Augmented and Virtual Reality, Coding, SEL and STEM.
Contact Rachelle to schedule sessions for your school about Artificial Intelligence, Coding, AR/VR, and more!
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Civic engagement is of the utmost importance for students. Service and community engagement during formative high school years improve social-emotional growth, student outcomes, leadership skills, and more. But how are these programs being managed when educators are leaving schools in record numbers?
The current teacher shortage in the United States has far-reaching implications for education.
According to The Washington Post, the teacher shortage is impacting schools across the country. In a study done by Kansas State University, 37 states were surveyed to assess the extent of the current shortage: The teacher shortage increased by 35% in the past year alone in these states. Districts across the country are seeing teachers and other faculty leaving education citing stress, low pay, and safety concerns, among other reasons.
While classrooms are suffering due to fewer teachers and larger class sizes, how do the teacher shortages impact other student programs?
Being “Voluntold”
Because there are many vacancies in school positions, there’s a lack of staff to run student programs. Many teachers and student administrators are reporting they are being “voluntold” to take on new responsibilities. These include different clubs and organizations, service programs and requirements, work-based learning programs, and more – programs that can’t run without staff involvement.
Teachers and educators are passionate about student success and want to see their students flourish; they take on these responsibilities for the betterment of their students.
However, educators aren’t always given the proper compensation or resources to manage these additional responsibilities. These student programs are vital in student development, but what happens when they aren’t given proper attention?
Student engagement suffers without proper leadership over these programs. Community service, service learning, and work-based learning programs are important elements of a student’s education. There are a number of benefits such as:
Betterment of skills such as communication, teamwork, leadership, initiative, and more
Career discovery from experiencing new industries and positions
Social-emotional development and widened worldview leading to personal growth
Increased feelings of belonging from being engaged in one’s community
These benefits lead to well-rounded students. Students who participate in community service during their high school career learn valuable life skills that increase college acceptance, university success, job acquisition, and more.
The Solution
x2VOL Founder & CEO, Michele Pitman discussed this topic and solutions to support teachers on the ThriveInEdu Podcast with Rachelle & Mel. Check out the full podcast and discussion below.
In this podcast, Michele joins the ThriveInEdu team to share current trends in schools, why student programs are vital, and what districts can do to better support their educators.
x2VOL is a resource that steps in to make the management of these important student programs much easier, allowing educators to focus on student engagement and growth. x2VOL takes tracking and reporting for student programs online. Whether schools have a service hour requirement or a work-based learning program, x2VOL tracks hours and experiences for student programs online. Students are empowered with an activity log of their experiences and reflections and educators are relieved from the burden of managing these platforms.
Student service and WBL programs are an important piece in a young person’s education and managing these programs shouldn’t be a burden to educators.
Learn more in our one-minute demo below and reach out to our team to get started!
Looking for PD for your school or keynotes for your conference? I provide in-person and virtual training on the following topics. If you want to learn more about and explore AI and ChatGPT, contact me to schedule! Rdene915@gmail.com or use the Book Me form on my website.
**Interested in writing a guest blog or submitting a sponsored post for my site? Would love to share your ideas! Submit your post here. Looking for a new book to read? Find these available atbit.ly.pothbooks
In a world where technology often competes with traditional learning methods, educators are always on the lookout for innovative tools that can genuinely impact children’s development. The Toniebox, a revolutionary audio device, has recently released the results of a study conducted between January and June 2023. The study explored how this creative tool can influence young learners’ comprehension, language skills, and attention.
Unlocking the Potential of the Toniebox
We should first understand what makes the Toniebox stand out. It’s an audio storytelling device that combines the magic of bedtime stories with captivating learning content. It makes it an excellent addition to the early childhood education toolkit and the best part is that kids are independent in their learning and can use it without much help at all.
A recent study
Imagine a learning tool that cultivates comprehension, language skills, and attention in young children. The recent study included 100 families from the UK and the United States, and involved children of ages 2 through 5. The research began with interviews to establish baseline measurements for each child’s development. Families were then provided with a Toniebox and bedtime Tonies, along with instructions to integrate them into their bedtime routines. After a period of 2-3 weeks, there were follow-up interviews that assessed the impact of Tonies on each child. Families were then provided with additional Tonies from the 4 Learning Centers: Discovery, Reading, Mindfulness, and Independent Play. After at least 12 weeks, there was another round of interviews which evaluated the effects of the Toniebox on children’s learning.
The Impact
1. Bedtime Routine Improvement:
– For parents who initially struggled with bedtime, using the Toniebox improved the situation for a remarkable 92% of them.
– Even if routines took longer, parents noted less resistance from their children, a welcome relief for many.
– Satisfaction scores increased significantly, from 6.6 to 7.4 out of 10, indicating happier bedtime experiences.
2. Comprehension and Language Skills:
– 60% of children’s comprehension scores increased
– Researcher-assessed comprehension levels improved by an impressive 6.3%.
– Reading comprehension scores saw a substantial increase of 12.6%.
– Verbal fluency jumped by over 10%, with 44% of children demonstrating improved verbal fluency.
– Vocabulary scores increased by 13.2%, with 66% of children scoring higher.
3. Enhanced Attention and Engagement:
– 53% of children’s general attention scores improved.
– For reading-specific attention, there was a 5.9% average increase.
– Engagement with stories increased by 7%, indicating greater interest.
Educators’ Takeaway: Tonies Toniebox
What makes the Toniebox an invaluable addition to early childhood education? It’s the perfect blend of entertainment and education. Here’s why educators should consider integrating it into their teaching strategies:
1. Promotes Literacy and Learning: The Toniebox enhances comprehension, language skills, and attention, crucial for early childhood education. The significant boost in reading comprehension is especially noteworthy.
2. Bedtime Routine Improvement: Better bedtime routines mean well-rested, alert learners in the classroom. Educators can appreciate the positive impact on children’s behavior and readiness to learn.
3. Screen-Free Learning: In a world dominated by screens, the Toniebox offers a refreshing screen-free alternative, promoting auditory learning and imaginative thinking.
4. Parent and Child Collaboration: The Toniebox encourages parent-child interaction, fostering a love for storytelling and learning from an early age.
Feedback from parents
The feedback offered by parents provides some valuable insights into the unique experiences they had with the Toniebox in their home.
1. Vocabulary Development and Screen-Free Engagement: A parent highlighted how Tonies significantly contributed to her child’s vocabulary development while serving as a screen-free alternative. The child’s enthusiasm for their Toniebox was so profound that he even listened to them for extended periods during road trips, showcasing the potential of this audio-based medium.
2. Design and Quality: Parents appreciated the figurine design of Tonies, which differentiated it from other devices. Many found Tonies ideal for storytelling, while other devices were preferred for music. The Toniebox engaged a child’s mind safely and offered high-quality manufacturing.
3. Innovative Possibilities: Parents associated reduced screen time with improved behavior in their children, emphasizing Tonies’ role in promoting a healthy balance.
The Toniebox is a valuable addition to childhood The feedback from parents underscores the versatility and potential of the Toniebox. While the study’s quantitative findings reveal its substantial impact on bedtime routines, comprehension, language skills, and attention, the individual comments paint a more comprehensive picture of its role in children’s lives. The Toniebox offers not only educational benefits but also a unique opportunity for children to engage with audio-based content in a screen-free and imaginative manner.
Toniebox is more than just a device; it’s a tool that empowers educators and parents to inspire young minds while nurturing positive habits and fostering a lifelong love for learning. As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of early education, the Toniebox supports the development of young learners in a dynamic and enriching way.
It is more than just a storytelling device; it’s a game-changer for early childhood education. Its potential to transform bedtime routines, enhance comprehension, language skills, and attention makes it a tool that educators should bring to their classroom. This innovative approach to learning is not only effective but also a whole lot of fun for young learners.
Contact Rachelle to schedule sessions for your school or keynotes for your conference about Artificial Intelligence, Coding, AR/VR, SEL, STEM and more!
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I have been speaking and teaching about AI in my classroom for more than five years. I was curious to understand where we see it in the world and how to teach about it in our schools. I was also fascinated by the capabilities of AI for learning and in the world.
I reached out to several educators and some students to find out what they thought about the changes we are experiencing in education, especially with these emerging technologies. There are, of course, concerns, ongoing conversations, and definitely excitement, although sometimes hesitant excitement, about what these technologies might bring to the world of education and work.
Educator predictions
Nicole Biscotti @BiscottiNicole, Educator
“AI has exploded on the scene and everyone is trying to figure it out at the same time which is exciting. A lot of educators are afraid that kids will use technologies like ChatGPT to cheat and have even banned its use. The reality is that kids have been cheating since the beginning of school and we have an exciting opportunity as educators to shape the narrative around this new technology. Biscotti plans to continue to learn as much as she can about how to use AI to better support her students. She says as an educator, “I feel that I am obligated to prepare my students for their future, not my past. These tools will only improve and they are here to stay. It’s imperative that kids are familiar with them and know how to use them or we risk sending graduates out into the workforce at a competitive disadvantage.”
Dr. Michael Harvey @doctor_harves, Pedagogical Prognosticator from Blenheim New Zealand
“AI/emerging tech has yet to really shape this past school year. Questions are being asked of what learning is and the role of assessment, but the actions to this change are yet to be realized.” He is thinking about /planning how to transition assessment tasks to a process rather than a product model. As for the future, Harvey thinks that “the next school year will bring pushback from the establishment and for those who want to progress in education a movement away from assessment of learning to assessment for learning and the role of AI to support student independence in learning.”
Alex Isaacs @mr_isaacs_math, Edtech Specialist from Long Branch Public Schools
“Emerging tech has helped teachers gain time while assisting with lesson planning, quick questions, and providing feedback to students in real-time. It has also helped increase data analytic capabilities by providing insights into student performance trends and instructional practice.” He plans to delve more into emerging technologies and how they can benefit the teachers and students in his school district. By participating in multiple coaching cohorts, including GoGuardian and Pear Deck, he hopes to gain more insight into helping his colleagues with these platforms. As for the future, “the discussions surrounding the ethical use of emerging tech will continue next school year.” He believes that more edtech platforms will increase their integrations of AI-related tech to provide differentiated instruction and personalized pathways to every learner.” Check out his AI-themed Wakelet collection that he and colleague Lois Alston created.
Vicki Van Matre @MsVanMatreArtRm, Teacher at Bluffton High School and ISTE Certified Instructor
Next year, Vicki will be teaching a class called the” 3rd class” for their new Education Professions pathway. One basis for this class is introducing technology’s role in the modern classroom. She was planning on discussing AI and how it could help the teacher but also discuss how to use it appropriately as a student. Her plans focus on involving students more in learning about ChatGPT by writing a lesson for them and having them make modifications where necessary. She also wants her students to experiment with a variety of technology to see “what THEY think would work best in the classroom.” While she uses technology in her art room, she has not yet experimented a lot with DALL E to see if I want to use AI for any of my art classes. However, she believes that if she does choose to use it, most likely it would be with the senior independent study students to have them experiment with it.
Student reflections
Holden, grade 10
“As soon as I was introduced to AI, I knew that it would change the world. The more I interacted with it, the more I understood its vast potential.” He shared that he “may or may not have used it to complete a few small assignments (Never in Spanish).” His uses were more as a study tool, in particular for reviewing for Chemistry. He would ask it to give a simple definition and an example and it worked perfectly to help him process the information and content better. He believes that “AI by itself is mediocre at best. However, when collaborating with humans, it can do amazing things.” As for benefits, he has an interest in starting an online store but has never really had the time and he hopes that with the help of AI to get a jumpstart this summer. “The school will look right through all the great things that AI is capable of and try to prevent it from being used completely.”
Lola, grade 11
“I believe that emerging technology has provided and created new opportunities for students. The new ideas and aspects of technology accessible to students now provide new experiences and can help to improve a student’s capabilities and knowledge about the subject they are studying.” Looking ahead, “I believe that by next school year, technology will continue to grow and emerge in new ways that will allow students to continue to have opportunities that will enhance their learning environment.”
Dimitri, grade 8
“AI and a lot of new tech has helped me with coming up with ideas for projects or providing me with a summary of a book, if I forgot something that I had read or I didn’t understand it.” As for the next school year, “I hope we will be allowed to use ChatGPT in class to help us understand books and literature more.”
With the rapid advancements in AI and emerging technologies, there are now incredible opportunities available to us and as we reflect on the past year, it becomes evident that AI and emerging tech have revolutionized education in ways we never imagined.
Looking for PD for your school? I provide in-person and virtual training on the following topics. If you want to learn more about and explore AI and ChatGPT, contact me to schedule! Rdene915@gmail.com
**Interested in writing a guest blog or submitting a sponsored post for my site? Would love to share your ideas! Submit your post here. Looking for a new book to read? Find these available at bit.ly/Pothbooks
Over the past few years, teacher shortages have become a challenge in schools across the United States. There has been a shortage in filling full-time teaching positions as well as finding substitute teachers to fill in on a day-to-day basis. The shortages add to the pressure on all teachers as they take on additional responsibilities to cover classes and other duties. As a result, teachers lose time that can be spent working with students and also valuable planning time.
Earlier this year, I learned about Swing Education, which is a centralized platform that connects substitute teachers with schools and school districts. They serve as a recruiter of substitute teachers in support of school districts. Swing Education helps schools to streamline the process of hiring, expanding their pool of substitute teachers, easing payroll and onboarding. Swing’s value for substitute teachers is that they have more jobs to choose from because Swing lists all the openings in their area. They also get paid each week (instead of each month) and becoming a sub is much faster because Swing helps with onboarding. I had the opportunity to speak with Mike Teng, Co-Founder of Swing Education and enjoyed the conversation and also gained insight into how large of a problem schools in the United States are facing.
The teacher shortage is affecting schools in every state. According to a report by the nonprofit Learning Policy Institute, there is currently a shortage of approximately 314,000 teachers in the U.S. school system. That means they need subs, but when there aren’t enough, it negatively impacts the learning experience for students and can also lead to teacher burnout. Substitute teachers play a vital role in addressing teacher shortages. They can step in when full-time teachers are absent, ensuring that students receive consistent instruction. Furthermore, substitute teachers can also bring fresh perspectives and diverse experiences to the classroom, enriching students’ learning experiences. I have experienced this in my own classroom when I needed a substitute teacher.
Swing Education’s Initiative
Swing Education launched a campaign to recruit substitute teachers throughout California and in Texas, in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. These are the areas of biggest need at this exact moment for the Swing schools. However, schools all over the nation are facing a shortage, and substitute teachers are needed everywhere. Because Swing Education has a centralized platform, it is easier for schools to find and manage substitutes. The platform handles recruiting, onboarding, and payroll, giving schools more control over their substitute pool. Substitute teachers can find teaching assignments that fit their schedules and have the resources they need to be classroom-ready from day one.
The Benefits of Swing Education
The Swing Education platform offers numerous benefits, such as:
Streamlined Recruitment: Swing simplifies the recruitment process, making it easier for schools to find qualified substitutes quickly.
Improved Management: Schools can efficiently manage their substitute pool, ensuring they have adequate coverage for teacher vacancies.
Support for Substitutes: Substitutes have access to resources via the Swing Education site to help them get started.
Community Engagement: Swing encourages college students, prospective teachers, retirees, and others to sign up as substitutes, fostering community involvement.
Recruiting substitute teachers not only helps with immediate staffing needs but also helps to bring in opportunities for people who may not have considered teaching. There are substitute teachers that are college students, prospective teachers, or even retirees who decide to pursue teaching as a long-term career after having some experience in classrooms. By actively recruiting and supporting substitutes, schools can bring in prospective future educators and work toward eliminating or at least, reducing the teacher shortage crisis.
Swing Education’s initiative to recruit substitute teachers is a significant step toward addressing this challenge. By leveraging platforms like Swing, schools can ensure that classrooms are adequately staffed, and students continue to receive quality instruction. Furthermore, by the support offered for substitute teachers, schools can contribute to building a stronger and more sustainable teaching workforce for the future. Click here to learn how to become a sub. For schools and districts, click here to learn more about Swing.
Looking for PD for your school? I provide in-person and virtual training on the following topics. If you want to learn more about and explore AI and ChatGPT, contact me to schedule! Rdene915@gmail.com
**Interested in writing a guest blog or submitting a sponsored post for my site? Would love to share your ideas! Submit your post here. Looking for a new book to read? Find these available at bit.ly/Pothbooks
Guest post by: Torrey Trust and Robert W. Maloy, University of Massachusetts Amherst
“The Ethicist” – Kwane Anthony Appiah’s column in the New York Times Magazine – offers philosophical advice about how to respond to the dilemmas and complexities of everyday life. People submit questions they want answered, and the rights and wrongs or ethics of what to do are not immediately clear or self-evident. Questions posed include: “Is it ever acceptable to visit a Confederate historical site?” “My salary is too high. Is it wrong to stay in my job?” “Can I sell my Taylor Swift tickets for thousands of dollars?” and “Can I use ChatGPT for the tedious parts of my job?” In July 2023, the Ethicist responded to this last question about ChatGPT, which was written by the chair of the English department at a small college. The reply was “yes,” as long as “you exercise proper vigilance and can stand by what you submit” (para. 4).
Utilizing “The Ethicist” as the starting point for instructional ideas, we envision giving elementary, middle, and high school students ongoing opportunities to develop their own ethical responses to authentic questions and issues they are facing in their lives, schools, and communities – especially those related to the use of GenAI tools and large language models (LLMs) – as a means of helping them develop their civic engagement skills and knowledge. Ideally, students engage in discussions about how they and others should act in the different situations and settings of everyday life. By stating their views and restating and understanding the views of others, students will become more socially conscious and civically engaged as members of our diverse society.
Questions of ethics and ethical behavior are central to how individuals and groups conduct political campaigns. In the run-up to the 2024 election, political candidates, parties, and action and advocacy groups have been using GenAI tools to generate campaign speeches, policy proposals, and even fundraising emails. In one example, the Democratic Party used AI to write fundraising emails and found that AI-generated fundraising requests performed as well as or better than human-generated requests in generating financial responses from donors (Goldmacher, 2023). However, not all uses of GenAI in political campaigns have been done with honorable intentions. University of Georgia journalism professor David E. Clementson (2023) identified multiple ways that GenAI tools could make political campaigns more deceptive than ever, including using these tools to design customized bogus campaign promises, write outright lies presented as truthful statements, convince voters to reevaluate their choice of candidates, and craft manipulated photos of candidates.
Following the model of “The Ethicist,” students could be asked: “Is it ethical to use GenAI tools to craft political campaign materials and media?” To begin this activity, students could be encouraged to use the Teacher and Student Guide to Analyzing AI Writing Tools to critically investigate popular GenAI tools, including ChatGPT, Bard, Stable Diffusion, and DALL-E. This guide provides a series of prompts that motivate students to examine the design and production of AI tools (questioning things like “Who designed this tool and why? “How does this tool make money?” “What data was used to train this tool?” “What biases are represented in the data?” and “What privacy protections are in place for users’ data?”) and the output of AI tools (questioning things like “Who or what is included in the output and who or what is left out?” and “How does the AI-generated output compare to human-generated text or media?”). Through this type of critical investigation, students might uncover that GenAI tools are trained on data that has embedded biases and consider what that might mean if political campaign staff use these tools, for example, to write fundraising campaigns based on demographic data.
Next, students could work on designing their own political campaign to run for a local or statewide political office (see the “Online Campaigning for Political Office” activity). Students could start this activity without any assistance from GenAI tools and then mid-way through the activity have the opportunity to use AI to help with or improve their campaign materials. For example, students might ask ChatGPT to generate a series of social media posts related to their campaign promises, write a script for a podcast or video that will be embedded into their campaign website, improve the quality of the text for their campaign website, or devise a strategy for increasing voter engagement with their campaign. Or, they could use image generators, like Microsoft Bing Image Creator powered by DALL-E, to produce visuals for their campaign websites or social media posts.
After designing their own political campaigns with and without the assistance of GenAI tools, students could engage in a discussion or debate about whether they think it is ethical for politicians and their campaign staff to use GenAI tools to craft political campaign materials and media. Integrating an ethical question about the use of AI in political campaigns as students design their own run for political office gives students an opportunity to investigate what AI can and cannot do and what AI should and should not do as a tool. The cognitive scientist Fei-Fei Li said nearly a decade ago: “AI is a machine that can make a perfect chess move while the room is on fire” (quoted in Knight, 2017, para. 4). Her point is AI can generate content, but not critical thought or socially and morally ethical plans for action. Through this activity, students consider what role AI should play in politics, and then they should be able to form their own opinion to the prompt: “Is it ethical to use GenAI tools to craft political campaign materials and media?”
Author Bios
Torrey Trust, Ph.D. is a Professor of Learning Technology in the Department of Teacher Education and Curriculum Studies in the College of Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Her scholarship and teaching focus on how technology shapes educator and student learning. Specifically, Dr. Trust studies how educators engage with digitally enhanced professional learning networks (PLNs), how emerging pedagogical tools (e.g., HyperDocs), practices (e.g., Making), and technologies (e.g., 3D printers, augmented reality) facilitate new learning experiences, and how to design and use open educational resources (OERs). Dr. Trust served as a professional learning network leader for the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) for five years, including a two-year term as the President of the Teacher Education Network from 2016 to 2018. In 2018, Dr. Trust was selected as a recipient of the ISTE Making IT Happen Award, which “honors outstanding educators and leaders who demonstrate extraordinary commitment, leadership, courage, and persistence in improving digital learning opportunities for students.” www.torreytrust.com
Robert W. Maloy is a senior lecturer in the College of Education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst where he coordinates the history teacher education program and co-directs the TEAMS Tutoring Project, a community engagement/service learning initiative through which university students provide academic tutoring to culturally and linguistically diverse students in public schools throughout the Connecticut River Valley region of western Massachusetts. His research focuses on technology and educational change, teacher education, democratic teaching, and student learning. He is co-author of Transforming Learning with New Technologies (4th edition); Kids Have All the Write Stuff: Revised and Updated for a Digital Age; Wiki Works: Teaching Web Research and Digital Literacy in History and Humanities Classrooms; We, the Students and Teachers: Teaching Democratically in the History and Social Studies Classroom; Ways of Writing with Young Kids: Teaching Creativity and Conventions Unconventionally; Kids Have All the Write Stuff: Inspiring Your Child to Put Pencil to Paper; The Essential Career Guide to Becoming a Middle and High School Teacher; Schools for an Information Age; and Partnerships for Improving Schools.
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