

Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators
Jeff Utecht & Tricia Friedman
Shifting Schools is a thought-provoking podcast that explores the latest trends, strategies, and tools in K-12 education. Hosted by educators Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman, the podcast provides a platform for teachers, administrators, and education thought leaders to share their experiences and insights on how to improve teaching and learning. From innovative approaches in classroom management to leveraging technology for personalized learning, Shifting Schools tackles the most pressing issues facing K12 educators today. Whether you are a seasoned teacher or a new educator, this podcast will inspire you to think outside the box and shift your educational approach. Tune in to Shifting Schools to gain new perspectives, share ideas, and join a community of passionate educators who are committed to making a positive impact in the lives of their students.
Follow us at @shiftingschools on Twitter and @shiftingschoolspod on Instagram and Tiktok
Follow us at @shiftingschools on Twitter and @shiftingschoolspod on Instagram and Tiktok
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 6, 2024 • 42min
337: Micro Menu Month Launches: AI Literacy for Teams
Jeff and Tricia discuss the launch of Micro Menu Month for May, focusing on exploring generative AI in various contexts. They stress the importance of hands-on interaction with AI tools and collaborative conversations. The episode introduces the Drive Framework for AI literacy in education and emphasizes the power of word choice and customization when using generative AI tools.

Apr 29, 2024 • 42min
336: The Role of the Librarian in the Era of AI
This week Tricia interviews two of her alltime fav librarians about the role of librarians in cultivating AI literacy. Karina and Allie discuss the responsibility of librarians in fostering AI literacy, curating resources, and teaching AI ethics. They also explore the impact of social media algorithms on readers' preferences and the importance of providing guidance in book recommendations. The librarians share their favorite AI tools, such as Magic School, Diffit, and Curipod, and emphasize the need for librarians to experiment and find tools that work best for them. They also discuss the influence of TikTok and Bookstagram in promoting reading and recommend books they are excited to read. Ready to learn more about our amazing guests this week? https://www.tiktok.com/@alliethelibrarian https://www.instagram.com/alliethelibrarian/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/cuethelibrarian/ https://cuethelibrarian.weebly.com/about.html Chapters 06:22 Curating Resources and Teaching AI Ethics 11:13 The Impact of Social Media Algorithms on Readers' Preferences 15:43 Favorite AI Tools for Librarians 28:46 Guiding Readers in Book Recommendations Huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting our podcast Learn more about Lebra Gamestorm EDU

Apr 22, 2024 • 37min
335: Is K12 education future ready right now?
Chris Linsell, a real estate technologist, discusses the impact of AI on real estate, emphasizing the need for technical and emotional skills. He highlights the importance of continually learning and adapting in a rapidly changing industry. The podcast also explores the balance between technical and emotional intelligence in real estate, showcasing the blend needed for success in negotiations and transactions.

Apr 15, 2024 • 35min
334: How Two 11th Graders are Revolutionizing AP Exam Prep with AI
Two 11th graders discuss creating an AI startup to support AP exam prep. They talk about challenges with AI hallucinations and integrating with Wolfram Alpha. The founders highlight their goal of providing access to educational resources for all students and emphasize the importance of feedback from educators to fine-tune the platform.

Apr 8, 2024 • 18min
333: Integrating AI Literacy into Earth Day Celebrations
Imagine students grappling with AI-crafted ethical dilemmas. They're not just learning about sustainability – they're learning how to question, research, and discern credible information. It's about nurturing critical thinking and responsible info consumption – the core of information literacy 🌎 Want to dig into our free guide 'Generative AI and Earth Day'? https://shiftingschools.lpages.co/earth-day-and-chatgpt/ Want to join Tricia and Jeff tomorrow? Take $25 off you registration with promo code 'SSPOD25' https://www.shiftingschools.com/store-2/p/ai-fueled-feedback-webinar Huge thanks to our amazing show sponsors for supporting us in providing free resources: Learn more about Lebra https://www.lebrahq.com/ Learn more about Gamestorm EDU https://gamestormedu.com/ Reach out to us anytime with questions! info@shiftingschools.com

Apr 1, 2024 • 40min
332: Here's why we need more student podcasters: meet Zach of We the Children
Our special guest this week is Zach, the host of the incredible podcast 'We The Children' Zachary Fox-DeVol, or Zach, is a curious 12-year-old with a passion for the environment and a mind eager to learn more about our planet. In June 2020, during a summer writing project, Zach ventured into the world of podcasting and created "Rule Of The Bark" . This unique podcast, told from a dog's perspective, provides humorous interviews and helpful tips on raising dogs. Zooming ahead to December 2021, Zach's interest took a serious turn toward climate change. This led to 'We The Children,' where, at 12 years old, he dives into climate discussions and solutions from a youthful viewpoint. The podcast illuminates how kids like him care deeply about Earth's future and their actions' pivotal role in shaping a sustainable planet. In the summer of 2023, Zach was honored to join an Australian Radio Station as a US Ambassador, engaging in enlightening interviews on Funky Kids Radio. Additionally, he's taken up speaking engagements at schools and clubs, advocating for the environment, recycling, and composting among kids. When he's not busy pondering our planet or podcasting, he enjoys working on magic tricks, playing chess, mastering the Rubik's cube, and spending time with his pets—a dog named Ewok and a cat named Pax. Zach's "Production Team" includes his Kindergarten/Second-grade teacher and friend, Clare Marder, making his podcasting journey a collaborative and educational experience. https://www.instagram.com/we_the_children_podcast/ x - @WeTheChildrenP1 Ready to learn more about his show? https://www.wethechildrenpodcast.com/ Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: https://www.lebrahq.com/ https://gamestormedu.com/gamestormers/ Learn with Jeff and Tricia this Spring: www.shiftingschools.com Take $25 off any of our offerings with "SSPOD25" as a discount code.

5 snips
Mar 25, 2024 • 39min
331: Core Skills in the Age of AI: What Remains Essential?
Pete Huang from The Neuron discusses AI, its impact on industries, and the future of education. They touch on customizable GPTs, automating tasks, and preparing students for job uncertainties. The podcast explores changes in education, the value of core skills, and the human touch in communication. Insights into AI chatbots and the evolving AI landscape are shared.

Mar 18, 2024 • 39min
330: Demystify student motivation with Tyler Rablin
In this conversation, Jeff Utecht interviews Tyler Rablin about his new book, 'Hacking Student Motivation.' They discuss the importance of feedback and assessment in motivating students, the impact of grades and assessment on student motivation, and the need for change in education. Tyler shares his experiences working with students in rural agricultural communities and the challenges they face in finding motivation in school. He also explains the concept of learning progressions and how they can replace rubrics to support student learning. The conversation concludes with Tyler expressing his excitement about the release of his book and the positive feedback he has received. Takeaways Feedback is a powerful tool for motivating students and should be broadened to include anything that helps students gauge their progress towards a goal. Motivation is closely tied to student belief in their ability to succeed. It is crucial to provide evidence of success and create a supportive learning environment. Learning progressions can be a more effective alternative to rubrics, as they break down learning goals into manageable steps and allow students to see their progress. Ready to explore the book? https://www.tylerrablin.com/book Connect with Tyler online: https://twitter.com/mr_rablin?lang=en Learn more about our premium sponsor: https://www.lebrahq.com/

Mar 11, 2024 • 30min
329: Can clinician-powered AI help us with the mental health crisis?
Dr. Elsa Friis, of Alongside, discusses how their clinician-powered AI tool supports young people in need of mental health support. The conversation highlights the need for mental health resources in schools and the shortage of mental health providers. The use of AI in mental health is not a new concept, and it can provide a warm and validating space for young people to seek support. The conversation also addresses misconceptions about AI and emphasizes the importance of evidence-based strategies in AI tools. Alongside offers partnership options for schools and provides a demo for interested users. Ready to learn more about Alongside? https://www.alongside.care/ Did you know Alongside works directly with students? Learn more about their paid summer internship position for High School Students: https://www.alongside.care/jobs/mental-wellness-content-development-high-school-intern Learn more about our special guest: Dr. Elsa Friis, head of mental health at Alongside, a clinician-powered AI tool can discuss the dire need for mental health services in the school setting, particularly as schools continue to be understaffed and our students need more support now than ever before. By offering tools like Alongside, which utilizes generative AI developed by clinicians and backed by research, schools around the country have been able to support their student population with personalized conversations to address anxiety, depression, relationship challenges and more, providing equitable support for every child. As a licensed psychologist and global public health practitioner, I am passionate about improving the well-being of others through cognitive, behavioral, and relational strategies; and systemic interventions to address social determinants of health (e.g. structural racism, poverty, education and access to services). I have a background in utilizing community based participatory research approaches to develop and evaluate family-based interventions for child mental health in Kenya. My program of research focuses on developing novel technology and care models to support mental health intervention delivery by non-professionals (e.g. religious leaders) as well as trained mental health professions to expand access to evidence-based care. Learn more about our brand new premium sponsor: Lebra https://www.lebrahq.com/ Want to set up a call to learn more about Lebra? email us info (at) shiftingschools.com

Mar 4, 2024 • 46min
328: Nurturing problem-solvers inside and outside the realm of games
Dan White, CEO of Filament Games, discusses the future of learning games and the importance of game-based learning pedagogy. He emphasizes the shift towards focusing on skills and conceptual understandings rather than didactic knowledge transfer. White believes that game-based experiences should prepare students for the real world by imparting useful practices and higher-order thinking skills. He also highlights the impact of automation and AI on the workforce and the need to revisit what is worth teaching and learning. White shares insights on building collaborative partnerships and the power of play in improving people's lives. Takeaways The future of learning games lies in focusing on skills and conceptual understandings rather than didactic knowledge transfer. Game-based experiences should prepare students for the real world by imparting useful practices and higher-order thinking skills. The rise of automation and AI calls for a reevaluation of what is worth teaching and learning. Ready to learn more about Dan and FIlament Games? www.filamentgames.com @filamentgames IG: @filamentgames Dan is the co-founder and CEO of Filament Games. Dan believes that good gameplay and good learning are complementary rather than oppositional forces. An alumnus of Cornell University and the University of Wisconsin – Madison, Dan earned an M.S. in Education Technology under seminal learning game scholars Drs. Kurt Squire and James Paul Gee. Prior to founding Filament, Dan worked as a teacher, an instructional designer, and a game developer. Dan's passions include learning games, sustainability, mindfulness, and modernizing institutional education. Thank you to our sponsor! https://www.moneypickle.com/shiftingschools


