AI & Edtech Power Hour: Turbocharged Tools for Every Subject and Grade

Purpose & objective

Purpose:
The purpose of this high-energy panel is to equip educators from all subject areas and grade levels with a diverse set of AI and EdTech tools to enhance teaching and learning. The session aims to address the challenge of keeping up with rapidly evolving educational technologies and how to integrate them effectively into various educational settings.

Objectives:

By the end of this session, participants will:

Be Introduced to a Range of Tools and AI prompts: Gain exposure to a wide variety of AI and EdTech tools applicable to different subjects and grade levels.

Understand Practical Applications: Learn specific ways these tools can be used to meet educational objectives and diverse learning needs.
Develop an Action Plan: Be equipped with resources to implement at least one new tool or strategy in their educational setting immediately following the session.

Educational Challenge:

The fast pace of EdTech development can make it difficult for educators to stay updated and understand how to integrate these tools effectively across different subjects and grade levels. Additionally, educators need examples of effective AI prompts and how they can interact with the tools they already use to work more efficiently.

Technology Intervention:

The panel will feature a "smackdown" style presentation of various tools and AI prompts, both well-known and emerging. Specific tools will be named and described, ensuring participants understand their application and utility.

Models Employed:
The session will employ a rapid-fire, interactive panel discussion model, allowing for maximum exposure to a variety of tools and strategies in a limited time.

Instructional Activities:
The panel will use real-world examples, case studies, AI prompts, and live demos (via gifs or short videos) to illustrate the utility of each tool.

Evidence of Success:
Previous iterations of this panel format have received high attendee engagement and post-session implementation of discussed tools, as evidenced by participant feedback and social media engagement.

Outline

Introduction and Contextualization (5 minutes)
Brief introduction of panelists and their expertise
Overview of session purpose and objectives
Explanation of the interactive backchannel for audience participation

In the Classroom Tools (with a variety of grade levels) - 35 minutes
each presenter will share for 5 minutes in a fast-paced sharing format.

Productivity tools for educators (a variety of roles will be shared) - 14 minutes
Each presenter will share for 2 minutes in a fast-paced sharing format.

Conclusion and Takeaways (5 minutes)
Summary of key points
Next steps and how to access shared resources
Mention of the prompt document shared by the panelists
Final remarks and thank you

Supporting research

Center for Integrative Research in Computing and Learning Services, Washington, DC, 2023.
https://circls.org/ai-and-education-policy

U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology, Artificial Intelligence and
Future of Teaching and Learning: Insights and Recommendations, Washington, DC, 2023. https://www2.ed.gov/documents/ai-report/ai-report.pdf

Curts, Eric, "Control Alt Achieve: Rebooting Your Classroom with Creative Google Projects"

Donally, Jaime. “The Immersive Classroom: Create Customized Learning Experiences with AR/VR” International Society for Technology in Education. 9 Mar 2021.

Keeler, Alice "50 Things You Can Do With Google Classroom" and "50 Things To Go Further With Google Classroom, A Student-Centered Approach"

Davis, Vicki. "Using AI to Encourage Productive Struggle in Math." Edutopia, 21 Sept. 2023, www.edutopia.org/article/ai-chatgpt-wolfram-alpha-productive-struggle-math. Accessed 25 Sept. 2023.

Lindsay, Julie and Vicki Davis. Flattening Classrooms Engaging Minds: Move to Global Collaboration ONe Step at a Time. Pearson Publishing. 2013.

Tholfsen, Mike. YouTube Channel with 130K subscribers on “how to” videos showcasing Microsoft Products. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2dSE9W3lGYbFi_CPmVtA-A

Poth, Rachelle Dene. “Connected Teaching and Pedagogy.” Journal of Digital Learning in Teacher Education. Vol 35. Issue 3. 3 July 2019., p 124-125

AI Education Course from Microsoft. This free course discusses things every educator should know about AI and includes many of the concepts discussed in this session: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/empower-educators-explore-potential-artificial-intelligence/

NAESP - 5 Strategies for Success in Bringing AI to Schools - https://www.naesp.org/resource/5-strategies-for-success-in-bringing-ai-to-schools/

Code.org AI Resources https://code.org/ai

Patent held by Mike Tholfsen. Conversion of Text to Speech pronunciation outputs of hyperarticulated vowels, US 10923105 · Issued Feb 16, 2021