K-12 Greatest Hits: Your shortcut to what works in education

In this conversation, a wide range of voices respond to Google's recent announcement offering over 30 AI tools for free to schools. The creators of TPACK, SAMR, and SETI offer their take on the features of Gemini for education, and look under the hood at the Learn LM engine behind it. The discussion covers the implications of free services, the mixed reactions from the education community, and the potential impact on the future of learning. Finally, the hosts put the new release in historical context, clarifying what educators can and cannot expect from them. This special report concludes by emphasizing the need for thoughtful consideration of how these new tools are integrated into teaching and learning.

This conversation explores new findings on the critical thinking divide fueled by Gen AI, What does this mean for teaching and learning? This deeply informed group discusses their experiences with Gen AI in the classroom, the pivotal role of foundational knowledge, and the need for a deeper understanding among students and educators alike. The conversation explores how AI in education is shifting the balance between control and creativity, driving some to new cognitive heights and others to new lows. Follow on Twitter: @CFKurban @sparvell @hcrompton @lkolb @punyamishra @jonHarper70bd @MicrosoftEDU @bamradionetwork Related Resources: The Impact of Generative AI on Critical Thinking | The AI Critical Thinking Divide | SAMR | The SETI Framework | TPACK | Triple-E | The GenAI-U Framework | AI Cafe BRN-X: Gen AI Podcast Lab Dr. Punya Mishra (punyamishra.com) is the Associate Dean of Scholarship and Innovation at the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State University. He has an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering, two Master’s degrees in Visual Communication and Mass Communications, and a Ph.D. in Educational psychology. He co-developed the TPACK framework, described as “the most significant advancement in technology integration in the past 25 years.” Dr. Caroline Fell Kurban is the advisor to the Rector at MEF University. She was the founding Director of the Center of Research and Best Practices for Learning and Teaching (CELT) at MEF University and teaches in the Faculty of Education. She holds a BSc in Geology, an MSc in TESOL, an MA in Technology and Learning Design, and a PhD in Applied Linguistics. Fell Kurban is currently the head of the Global Terminology Project and the creator of the GenAI-U technology integration framework. Dr. Liz Kolb is a clinical professor at the University of Michigan and the author of several books, including Cell Phones in the Classroom and Help Your Child Learn with Cell Phones and Web 2.0. Kolb has been a featured and keynote speaker at conferences throughout the U.S. and Canada. She created the Triple E Framework for effective teaching with digital technologies and blogs at cellphonesinlearning.com. Dr. Puentedura is the Founder and President of Hippasus, a consulting practice focusing on transformative applications of information technologies to education. He has implemented these approaches for over thirty years at various K-20 institutions and health and arts organizations. He is the creator of the SAMR model for selecting, using, and evaluating technology in education and has guided multiple projects worldwide. Dr. Helen Crompton is the Executive Director of the Research Institute for Digital Innovation in Learning at ODUGlobal and Professor of Instructional Technology at Old Dominion University. Dr. Crompton earned her Ph.D. in educational technology and mathematics education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel ill. Dr. Crompton is recognized for her outstanding contributions and is on Stanford’s esteemed list of the world’s Top 2% of Scientists. She is the creator of the SETI framework. She frequently serves as a consultant for various governments and bilateral and multilateral organizations, such as the United Nations and the World Bank, on driving meaningful change in educational technology.

This week, President Trump signed executive orders that profoundly affect teaching and learning. The most immediate involves mass deportation and authorizing immigration agents to make arrests at schools. To understand how the education community is navigating these developments, we contacted teachers, principals, superintendents, education reporters, and immigration lawyers. We encountered intense emotions and confusion; many were unwilling or unprepared to speak publicly. We eventually found a group that was willing to share their thoughts, feelings, plans, and resources they’re using. Most of all, they offered their best reasons for hope amid the uncertainty ahead. Jessica Heiser is the Founder & Lead Project Attorney at Imprint Legal Group, a national law and consulting firm that specializes in protected class law. Jessica is a two-time graduate of Northwestern University, where she earned a B.A. with Honors and, fifteen years later, earned a Master’s certificate in Leading Equity and Inclusion in Organizations. After teaching middle and high school students in St. Louis and Los Angeles, Jessica put herself through law school at DePaul University College of Law and practiced school and employment law for almost twelve years. After becoming a certified diversity, equity, and inclusion practitioner, she gave up her partnership in a large law firm to launch Imprint Legal Group, a women- and disability-owned business that guides organizations in proactively combining compliance and culture. Jessica is the recipient of the prestigious Diversity in Law Award and has been tapped to serve on the Indiana Supreme Court Commission for Equity and Access and National School Board Association Title IX Advisory Group. Jen Schwanke, Ed.D., has been an educator for almost three decades, teaching or leading at all levels. She is the author of four books published by ASCD, including The Principal’s Guide to Conflict Management, and has published hundreds of articles in various education publications. In addition to providing professional development to districts in the areas of school climate, personnel, and instructional leadership, Schwanke presents at conferences for ASCD, NAESP, NASSP, AASA, and various state and local education organizations. She is the co-host of the popular “Principal Matters” podcast and an instructor in educational administration at The Ohio State University and Miami University of Ohio. Dr. Schwanke currently serves as a Deputy Superintendent in Ohio.– Zaidee Stavely covers bilingual education, early education and immigration as it relates to schools and hosts EdSource’s Education Beat podcast. She is a bilingual print and radio reporter who has worked in Mexico and the U.S. She has covered education, immigration, environmental justice and traditional arts for KQED, Radio Bilingüe, and Public Radio International’s “The World,” among other outlets. Zaidee has won numerous awards for her journalism, including an Emmy, a Regional Edward R. Murrow Award, an Excellence in Journalism Award from SPJ Northern California, and the Rubén Salazar Award from CCCNMA: Latino Journalists of California. She grew up in rural Mendocino County, where both her parents taught in public one-room schoolhouses. She has a Master’s degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and a B.A. in Latin American and Latino Studies and Community Studies from UC Santa Cruz. She lives in Oakland with her husband and two children.

This year-end review of the AI Crosstabs podcast dives into the latest research on generative AI in education, highlighting 12 key studies from 2024. They discuss the global perspective on AI’s impact on critical thinking assessments, teacher training, and the collaboration between AI and human educators to maximize the benefits of AI in education. Key studies include using AI to evaluate pedagogical content knowledge, disciplinary differences in AI engagement among students, and the development of an AI competency framework for educators and students. The episode also explores the ethical implications of AI, its role in assistive technologies, and its potential to enhance language learning and scientific communication. Mic Drop is a pilot project from BRN’s Gen AI Podcast Labs. The first iteration is promising, and we look forward to improving the channel as the technology evolves. See an error or have a suggestion? Leave your comments below.

The conversation explores the overwhelming number of AI tools available to educators and our challenges in finding time to learn and implement them effectively. Participants discuss the importance of play in professional development, the need for targeted learning experiences, and the systemic changes required to support teachers in their ongoing learning. They emphasize the significance of intrinsic motivation and the necessity for effective questioning when using AI as a support tool. The discussion concludes with recognizing the need for open conversations about supporting teacher play time in education. Follow on Twitter: @ideasforteacher @DrBioTom @jonHarper70bd @CFKurban @JBR_Kleinmann @bamradionetwork Resources: ChatGPT | AI LABS | School AI | Magic School | YouLearn | Hacking GenAI in Education: Conversation Starters Dr. Caroline Fell Kurban is the advisor to the Rector at MEF University. Caroline previously was Director of the Center of Research and Best Practices for Learning and Teaching (CELT) at MEF University. She also teaches in the Faculty of Education. She has taught, trained, and managed in schools and universities in her twenty-year career. She holds a BSc in Geology, an MSc in TESOL, an MA in Technology and Learning Design, and a PhD in Applied Linguistics. Dan Jones earned a BS in Middle Grades Education from Ashland University and a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction from the American College of Education. Dan is an FLGI Master Teacher whose professional interests include e-learning, technology, and Project-Based Learning. Dr. Juli Ross-Kleinmann is an experienced Administrator/ Instructional Specialist who has worked in primary, secondary, and higher education and is skilled in authentically integrating educational technology, professional development, curriculum planning, instructional design, and organizational leadership. Juli has a Master of Science in Education (Administration & Supervision) focused in Elementary and Middle School Administration/Principalship from Fordham University. She served for three years on the board of ISTE and is an ISTE-certified educator. Jon Harper is an elementary school teacher and a former assistant principal at Choptank Elementary School in Cambridge, Maryland. He was a math coach and taught first through fifth grades. He is the author of My Bad: 24 Educators Who Messed Up Fessed Up and Grew! He Hosts the Teachers’ Aid podcast.

For the first time, the creators of the SAMR, TPACK, and the Triple E technology integration frameworks met to discuss their widely adopted models and how they fit in the age of generative AI. They are joined by the creators of two emerging frameworks, SETI and GenAI-U. In this series, we explore all five models, their differences, and where each best fits. Part one unpacks what these frameworks enable educators and school leaders to do. Together, the panel reveals why small and big thinking is required to teach effectively with GenAI. Follow on Twitter: @CFKurban @sparvell @hcrompton @lkolb @punyamishra @jonHarper70bd @MicrosoftEDU @bamradionetwork Related Resources: The GenAI-U Framework | The SETI Framework| SAMR | TPACK | Triple-E | 21st century learning design – Training | Microsoft Learn | Hacking Gen AI in Education Dr. Punya Mishra (punyamishra.com) is the Associate Dean of Scholarship & Innovation at the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College at Arizona State Univer ity. He has an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering, two Masters in Visual Communication and Mass Communications, and a Ph.D. in Educational Psycho gy. He co-developed the TPACK framework, which is described as “the most significant advancement in technology integration in the past 25 years.” Dr. Caroline Fell Kurban is the advisor to the Rector at MEF University. Caroline was the founding Director of the Center of Research and Best Practices for Learning and Teaching (CELT) at MEF University. She also teaches in the Faculty of Education. She holds a BSc in Geology, an MSc in TESOL, an MA in Technology and Learning Design, and a PhD in Applied Linguistics. Fell Kurban is currently the head of the Global Terminology Project and the GenAI-U technology integration framework creator. Dr. Liz Kolb is a clinical professor at the University of Michigan. She is the author of several books, including Cell Phones in the Classroom and Help Your Child Learn with Cell Phones and Web 2.0. Kolb has been a featured and keynote speaker at conferences throughout the U.S. and Ca ada. She is the creator of the Triple E Framework for effective teaching with digital technologies, and she blogs at cellphonesinlearning.com. Dr. Puentedura is the Founder and President of Hippasus, a consulting practice focusing on transformative applications of information technologies to education. He has implemented these approaches for over thirty years at a range of K-20 institutions and health and arts organizations. He is the creator of the SAMR model for selecting, using, and evaluating technology in education, guiding multiple projects worldwide. Dr. Helen Crompton is the Executive Director of the Research Institute for Digital Innovation in Learning at ODUGlobal and Professor of Instructional Technology at Old Dominion University. Dr. Crompton earned her Ph.D. in educational technology and mathematics education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel ill. Dr. Crompton is recognized for her outstanding contributions and is on Stanford’s esteemed list of the world’s Top 2% of Scientists. She is the creator of the SETI framework. She frequently serves as a consultant for various governments and bilateral and multilateral organizations, such as the United Nations and the World Bank, on driving meaningful change in the field of educational technology.

We discuss the findings of the Parent Report Card, which shows that parents are anxious and uncertain about academic preparedness, mental health support, and preparation for the future in schools. The conversation explores how students grade their schools and the factors contributing to their overall experience. It highlights the importance of engagement, individualized learning, and mental health support in improving students' experiences. The conversation also addresses the challenges of providing mental health resources and the need for teachers to connect families with available services. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the need for schools to listen to students' voices and make improvements to support students better. Zach Hrynowski is a Senior Education Researcher at Gallup. Since joining in 2019, he has contributed to more than 30 public sector survey research projects, primarily within Gallup’s higher education practice. In his role, Zach conducts quantitative data analysis, authors internal and public release reports to highlight study findings, and assists in survey instrument design. He also contributes to Gallup’s national higher education research and has been a writer for Gallup News. Crystal Frommert, M.Ed, brings over two decades of diverse educational experience, spanning from elementary to post-secondary levels. She currently holds the positions of middle school math teacher and deputy head of secondary at Awty International School in Houston. Crystal is also a published author of the 2023 book When Calling Parents Isn’t Your Calling: A Teacher’s Guide to Communicating With Parents. Sechita McNAir is a mom of all trades. As a Fellowship recipe of the Atlanta Thrive, she makes sure their exceptional children in the public school system get all that they need to thrive and succeed while within the walls. Her background is in homeschooling my children on the road. She has two biological sons, Malachi age 4 and Elias age 14. She adopted her sister's son Derrick after her passing and is parenting her former’s foster teen Monay, age 19. She is learning what it is like to care for orphans in my life with love, affection, and attention. If it were not for my union, IATSE 479, and Sag Aftra Foundation, I know a good part of last year would have been bad for my children.

This panel discussed why brain breaks are important for students during class time. More importantly, the guests unpack how to differentiate brain breaks to meet students’ specific needs– using them as tools to enhance social-emotional learning and academic performance. Follow our PLN on Twitter: @mrswendymturner @judywillis @Upegui @bamradionetwork @jonHarper70bd David Upegui, PhD, serves as a science teacher at his alma mater, Central Falls High School (RI) and as an adjunct professor of Education at Brown University. He completed his doctoral degree in education at the University of RI, focusing on science education and social justice. His latest book, Integrating Racial Justice Into Your High-School Biology Classroom: Using Evolution to Understand Diversity, was recently released. Wendy Turner is not just a teacher. She is an experienced elementary educator, author, and teacher leader with a passion for social-emotional learning. Wendy currently teaches 3rd grade in Wilmington, Delaware, and regularly contributes to blogs, podcasts, and other education spaces with the goals of sharing ideas and supporting everyday educators. Her first book, Embracing Adult SEL, (December 2023). Dr. Judy Willis, a board-certified neurologist, combined her 15 years as a practicing neurologist with 10 subsequent years as a classroom teacher to become a leading authority in the neuroscience of learning. With her unique background as both in neuroscience and education, she has written ten books and more than 200 articles about applying neuroscience research to classroom teaching strategies. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa as the first woman graduate from Williams College, Willis attended UCLA School of Medicine where she was awarded her medical degree. She remained at UCLA and completed a medical residency and neurology residency, including chief residency. She practiced neurology for 15 years before returning to university to obtain her teaching credential and Masters of Education degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She then taught in elementary and secondary school for 10 years.