What Teachers Have to Say brings together innovative educators to talk about what it means to be a teacher in the modern classroom. Each episode explores the em...
In this conversation, Jake, and guest call-in Maria, cover the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, focusing on how it can enhance teaching and learning. He explores the distinction between automation and augmentation, practical strategies for teachers to implement AI, and the importance of fostering a creative culture around AI usage in schools. The discussion emphasizes the need for clear AI philosophies, teacher training, and transparency in AI adoption to ensure it enriches the educational experience rather than detracting from it.Got a question or comment? Leave us a voicemail on SpeakPipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/whatteachershavetosayTakeawaysAI can help with mundane tasks in the classroom.The focus should be on enhancing teaching, not replacing it.Teachers should use AI to lighten their cognitive load.Students need to learn to challenge AI, not just use it passively.Building relationships is something AI cannot do.A clear AI philosophy is essential for schools.Investing in teacher training is crucial before student use.Transparency in AI usage fosters a better learning environment.AI should be used for creativity, not compliance.AI can make education more enriching, not just efficient.Chapters00:00 Introduction to AI in Education01:27 Effective AI Implementation Strategies01:54 The Rise of AI in Education03:06 AI as Augmentation, Not Automation04:26 Practical AI Roadmap for Teachers06:43 District-Level AI Implementation Strategies09:46 Fostering a Creative Culture with AI
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Coding Without Screens? How Sphero Indi is Transforming Early STEM & Literacy
How do you teach computational thinking to kids without screens? In this episode, recorded live atTCEA in Austin, Texas, I sit down withNik from Sphero to talk aboutIndi, the screen-free coding robot that’s helping even the youngest learners develop problem-solving skills. But Indi isn’t just for coding—teachers are using it inELA, math, and more.🎧Listen to hear:✅ HowIndi teaches codingwithout screens✅ How afirst-grade teacher used Indi forsentence-building✅ Whyhands-on learning is critical forearly STEM & literacy📌Opening Hook (0:00 - 1:30) – Live fromTCEA Austin! Why Sphero Indi is a game-changer for classrooms.📌Segment 1: Why Indi? (1:30 - 4:30)GuestNik from Sphero shares whya screen-free coding robot was developed.HowIndi makes computational thinking physical instead of an abstract concept.📢Watch my TikTok on Indi in action ➡ [TikTok Link]📌Segment 2: Indi in Action – Sentence-Building with Robots? (4:30 - 8:00)Teachersaren’t just using Indi for coding—they’reteaching literacy with it.📚ELA Example: First gradersbuild sentences with Indi & color tiles.🔄 Instant feedback: Indicelebrates when students build a correct sentence.📌Closing & Call to Action (8:00 - 10:00)Big takeaway: Computer science is aboutproblem-solving, not just coding.Want to tryIndi in your classroom?Free ELA & Math lesson plans ⬇Leave a voicemail: Share your experiences with hands-on learning tools!📌Watch my TikTok on Indi: [TikTok Link]📌Free Indi lesson plans (ELA & Math): [Sphero Central]📌Leave a voicemail for the podcast: [SpeakPipe]📌Follow on TikTok for more edtech insights: [@mr.carr.on.the.web]✅Enjoyed this episode? Leave a5-star review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify—it helps more educators find the show!✅Tag me on social! Share howyou’re using Indi (or any hands-on learning tool) in your classroom.🚀Stay connected: Subscribe & follow for moreteacher-friendly, practical edtech insights!🎙That’s it for today—see you next time on What Teachers Have to Say!
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5:34
How Do You Solve A Problem Like Procrastination? Deliberate Play & Harmonious Passion!
Jake & Nathan explore two ways to motivate students toward better learning habits by valuing their learning process, not just the products of their learning, and connecting their skills to real world applications. Your teacher besties return to ideas from two previous episodes on procrastination and the EduProtocols mindset, and dig deeper into Adam Grant’s work in his book Hidden Potential, to find solutions to the age old problem of procrastination.Grades are often highly subjective, a mode of behavior modification, and are inherently extrinsic motivation, when we want to build intrinsic motivation for learning. While most of us can’t functionally throw out the point system, having moments of “deliberate play” can help foster a love for learning and help your students engage in “harmonious passion” to sidestep the emotional response that is procrastination.Having said that, not all procrastination is created equal! Active procrastination is an important part of the learning process. A growth mindset, by definition, values the process of growth. We need to remember to build time to allow for that growth to happen with scaffolding, and permission for students to push their limits, without punishing failure.Enjoy this discussion on procrastination styles, growth mindset, valuing the learning process, and remember these two modes of motivation when you're lesson planning: deliberate play and harmonious passion. This conversation breaks down the process of skill building in this context, with some history of education reform and educational philosophy thrown in because we're nerds.Join the Conversation!Got thoughts? Rants? Questions? Leave us a voicemail! 📞 SpeakPipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/whatteachershavetosay
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37:40
Wicked Hydra: The EduProtocol That Puts Questions First
In this episode Jake explores Wicked Hydra, a dynamic EduProtocol from The EduProtocols Field Guide: ELA Edition, that transforms classroom inquiry by putting questions first. In conversation with Courtney, a passionate middle school social studies teacher from Texas, we learn how Wicked Hydra shifts the responsibility for inquiry from teacher to student. Rather than delivering a single, predetermined answer, this protocol creates a question-only mind map where every query opens up new rabbit trails of inspiration and exploration.Courtney explains how Wicked Hydra encourages students to move from surface-level questions to deeper, more insightful inquiries. Even when the first attempts are rough, practice transforms these initial queries into rich discussions that empower learners to build their own “question bank” and reclaim the wonder of curiosity. This approach not only nurtures independent thought but also aligns with educational philosophies from leaders like John Hattie, emphasizing visible learning and the critical role of student voice. Wicked Hydra empowers students to generate and refine their own questions. It transforms simple observations into deep, layered inquiry. The protocol challenges the habit of accepting one fixed answer. It nurtures a rich, active questioning culture across all grade levels. It encourages learners to explore multiple rabbit trails of thought. This strategy aligns with educational theories that value student voice and visible learning. "Wicked Hydra: The Protocol That Puts Questions First""Reclaiming curiosity, one question at a time.""Transforming surface queries into deep inquiry."Resources:Check out The EduProtocols Field Guide: ELA Edition for more innovative strategies like Wicked Hydra.Get Involved:Have you tried using Wicked Hydra or a similar inquiry tool in your classroom? How do you foster a culture of deep questioning among your students? Share your story or ask your questions by leaving us a voice message on SpeakPipe. Your insights might be featured in a future episode!If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a five‑star review—it helps us reach more educators and keeps the conversation going.Keep questioning, keep exploring, and keep teaching!
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7:56
Check the Weirdness: Teaching AI Literacy with Matt Miller
Jake and Matt Miller from Ditch That Textbook dive into the power of AI’s imperfections as a teaching tool. They explore how the quirks and mistakes in AI-generated content, like extra fingers or misshapen images, can sharpen students’ critical thinking, media literacy, and observation skills. Instead of fearing AI’s flaws, teachers can turn them into opportunities for deeper learning and classroom engagement.Matt shares how he uses AI-generated images in his Spanish classroom to help students develop AI literacy and train their ability to "check the weirdness." Jake builds on this idea, discussing how engaging with AI critically can strengthen students' ability to discern fact from fiction. This episode is all about flipping the script: AI isn’t a threat to critical thinking: it’s a tool to refine it. AI-generated errors can be powerful tools for teaching observation skills. Encouraging students to "check the weirdness" fosters critical thinking. AI literacy is essential in today's classrooms. Engaging with AI helps students become more skeptical and analytical. Classroom discussions on AI weirdness can lead to broader conversations about media literacy. Discerning fact from fiction is a critical skill in the digital age. Educators should embrace AI as a learning tool, not fear its impact. "Check the weirdness!" "AI is highly fallible." "Training our BS detector." "AI’s mistakes are teaching gold." Matt Miller’s Website AI for Educators by Matt Miller Leave us a voice message on SpeakPipe Follow What Teachers Have to Say on your favorite podcast platformHave you tried using AI-generated weirdness in your classroom? How are you helping students think critically about AI? Share your story! Leave us a message on SpeakPipe or connect with us on social media. Your insights might be featured in a future episode!If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review—it helps us reach more educators and keep the conversation going.
What Teachers Have to Say brings together innovative educators to talk about what it means to be a teacher in the modern classroom. Each episode explores the emotional complexity of teaching as hosts Jake & Nathan talk through the trials and triumphs of teaching. We talk access and equity, artificial intelligence, student behavior, teacher burnout, mentorship models & more. Find practical teaching advice and resources presented in an approachable and real way, alongside valuable insights and inspiration in these thought-provoking conversations, for educators at all levels.
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