Podcast Series: Innovations in Education

Explore the full series of eSchool News podcasts hosted by Kevin Hogan—created to keep you on the cutting edge of innovations in education.

You’re my hero

Key points:

I’ve always hated being put on the spot to answer some version of this question: “Who is your role model?  Who inspired your career?  Who is your hero?”

In my first act in life, as a television reporter, I had the opportunity to cross paths with celebrities, public figures, and just generally “important” people over the years.  And nearly every time, I was disappointed with by the experience because either the person was not as dynamic as their persona or, in some cases, was simply rude. I have a great relationship with my parents and credit them for many, many aspects of my life; one thing they taught me was hero status is a high bar because we’re all fallible humans.…Read More

The ChatGPT-4 genie is out of the bottle

Key points:

  • Education systems that fail to adapt to our new AI reality risk becoming obsolete
  • AI has a role in learning—but we must implement it in the correct way
  • See related article: OpenAI releases ChatGPT teaching guide
  • For more on AI in learning, visit eSN’s Digital Learning page

The education landscape is undergoing a tectonic shift propelled by rapid technological advancements. From the introduction of calculators in the 1970s to the ubiquity of ChatGPT-4 AI in academic settings, the transformation is profound and irreversible.

As Andy Nguyen, a leading expert in artificial intelligence in education, aptly puts it: We are at an inflection point where technology is not just an adjunct to education; it’s becoming the backbone. This article delves into the evolution of educational technology and the challenges and opportunities presented by AI and offers a clarion call for educational systems to adapt swiftly.…Read More

5 strategies to reduce teacher stress and improve retention

Key points:

Teaching has always been a stressful profession, but since the pandemic it has become even more so. Nearly three out of four teachers say they experience frequent job-related stress, and 59 percent say they’re burned out.

The stress that teachers are feeling is causing many to leave the profession, and this is affecting the ability of school systems to recruit and retain highly qualified teachers. In fact, new research suggests that the teacher shortages many districts have experienced since COVID have only gotten worse in many cases—and they weren’t just a function of the pandemic.…Read More

4 ways to create a comedic classroom

Key points:

“In improv there are no mistakes, only beautiful happy accidents. And many of the world’s greatest discoveries have been by accident.” – Tina Fey, Bossypants

The art of improv comedy is to create a scene from nothing but a suggestion. An actor can never say or do anything that will be wrong. There are no bounds to how a scene can develop. People often feel pressured to force something funny, but good improv only requires a genuine reaction.…Read More

OpenAI releases ChatGPT teaching guide

Key points:

  • OpenAI, maker of ChatGPT, is releasing a guide to help educators incorporate the AI tool in their instruction
  • The guide includes use examples and answers frequently-asked questions
  • See related article: An AI to-do list for educators
  • Get the latest news on AI in education by visiting eSN’s Digital Learning page

Educators face myriad dilemmas in the wake of ChatGPT’s explosion, with some of the most popular including teaching with ChatGPT and how to address student use of AI chatbots in assignments.

OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, has released a new guide to help educators navigate the many ways AI can be used in teaching and learning. The guide contains examples of how some educators are teaching with ChatGPT, along with a series of frequently-asked questions that may help guide teachers as they seek to strike a balance between accepting AI’s presence and an over-reliance on such tools.…Read More

How to (correctly!) use ChatGPT for essay writing

Key points:

Since OpenAI’s ChatGPT launch in November 2022, it continues to bother teachers. No wonder:

The tool has a fascinating ability to craft texts that look like a human wrote them. Influencing the education niche, it’s a game-changer in the classroom. Not only does it make educators revise their approach to teaching academic writing, but some still see it as a threat to students’ academic integrity.…Read More

An AI to-do list for educators

Key points:

  • Schools should integrate conversations around AI into professional learning opportunities
  • A basic understanding of AI’s potential for learning can help educators become more comfortable using it for teaching and learning
  • See related article: More students are seeking an AI-powered school year

The AI revolution is here, and educators are feeling the impact. For many, it is exciting, unsettling and overwhelming all at the same time.

The key to successfully navigating this maelstrom of emotions is to start small, break the challenge down into achievable tasks, and begin with actions that will have the most impact. This five step to-do list can help educators engage in artificial intelligence and begin using it to positively impact both teaching and learning. …Read More

Taking a measured look at AI in the classroom

Key points:

  • What if AI can take over mundane tasks and free teachers up for more direct instruction?
  • AI doesn’t just spit out data–it provides real, actionable insights that allow teachers to better help students
  • See related article: The importance of teaching generative AI

AI in the classroom: The idea brings up images of students plugged into the Matrix, learning differential equations in seconds, doesn’t it? Well, not quite, even if the question of existential threat for schoolchildren has been purported in recent discussions. We’re talking about something more grounded, a little less sci-fi, but nonetheless intriguing.

Imagine you’re teaching a class, and instead of that time-consuming grading, you have AI in the classroom, taking care of the rote tasks. Interesting, but not quite a blockbuster movie scenario, right? It leaves you with time to ponder the intricacies of your educational philosophy or perhaps even enjoy a quiet lunch break.…Read More

Creativity in the classroom reduces burnout and improves well-being

Key points:

This article originally appeared on Adobe’s blog and is reposted here with permission.

Teacher burnout is, unfortunately, not a new phenomenon. Even 15 years ago, when I was teaching middle and high school, it was always a question of when (not if) my colleagues and I would reach burnout towards the end of the year. On a good year, with ideal conditions, some teachers would make it until around April. But, of course, we always looked out for teachers who showed signs of burnout as early as mid-year.…Read More