SOS Podcast

In this episode, Jeff Utecht interviews Michelle Kassorla, an associate professor of English at Georgia State University, about using generative AI in higher education. They discuss the importance of teaching AI literacy, the role of AI in the writing process, and the benefits of using AI to support student learning. Michelle shares her insights on assessment, transparency, and the creative opportunities that AI provides for students. She also discusses the development of AI literacy standards for higher education and offers practical tips for integrating AI into the classroom. Michelle Kassorla, Ph.D., an Associate Professor at Georgia State University, Perimeter College, has more than 30 years of experience teaching English and Composition. She teaches With and Against AI in Composition I and II courses, integrating AI into all assignments this academic year. She's on the AI Expert Panel for EDUCAUSE, leading the AI Literacy committee for Higher Education. A recipient of a Center for Excellence in Teaching,

In this conversation, Jeff Utecht interviews Dr. Dayamudra Dennehy, a community college teacher, about the incorporation of generative AI in classrooms. They discuss the importance of including students in the conversation about AI and the need for a nuanced approach to ethics. Dayamudra shares her project of having students create AI manifestos as a way to explore the ethical use of AI. They also talk about the need for educators to have a growth mindset and be curious about technology. Dayamudra emphasizes the importance of educators being involved in the development of AI tools and holding tech companies accountable.   Dayamudra is tenured ESL community college faculty and active nationally as a community college online educator. Her current area of interest is the ethical use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in higher education. Dayamudra founded and led an educational non-profit with an India-based team, serving caste-oppressed students at a grassroots leadership academy. She has guided community p

How do you see yourself in the future of learning? This week on the pod guest Amy Oswalt is here to help us to think bigger about that question as well as the future of inclusivity in schools. Ready to learn more about Amy? Amy Oswalt is a passionate educator and leader with extensive experience in creating and implementing programs that cater to neurodiverse learners. As the Founder and Director of Conduit and Ask Different Questions, Amy has developed a platform that promotes inclusive education practices and neurodiversity awareness through workshops, consultations, and online resources.    Her work focuses on fostering academic, social, and emotional growth for neurodiverse individuals by developing strategic partnerships with families, schools, organizations, and community groups. Amy has a rich background in educational leadership, having served as the Director of Innovation and Head of Global Division and Online Programs at Lab School in Washington, DC. Here, she spearheaded the development and managem

Dr. Min Sun, a professor of education at the University of Washington, discusses the work of AmplifyLearn.ai, a center focused on harnessing the power of AI to improve teaching and learning. The center conducts scientific research, develops AI-powered education technology, offers training programs, and engages in public dissemination of research. Dr. Sun explains the development of Colleague.ai, a specialized AI assistant for K-12 educators that streamlines tasks such as lesson planning, differentiation, and grading. She emphasizes the importance of thoughtful design and research in AI development and envisions a future where AI transforms teaching and learning, making it more personalized, immersive, and collaborative. https://education.uw.edu/about/directory/min-sun https://www.amplifylearn.ai/ Colleague AI https://www.linkedin.com/in/min-sun-8382aa9b/ Takeaways AmplifyLearn.ai aims to harness the power of AI to improve the quality and equity of teaching and learning. Colleague.ai is a specialized AI assis

Dr. Laura Dumin obtained her PhD in English from Oklahoma State University in 2010. She is a professor in English and Technical Writing at the University of Central Oklahoma who has been exploring the impact of generative AI on writing classrooms. Laura has been experimenting with transformative learning (TL) tools and scholarship of teaching and learning methods (SoTL) in the classroom for over 7 years. She finds that when students are engaged in the lessons, learning can happen organically, leading to more interesting class periods and longer-term gains in understanding concepts.   Laura mixes her background in technical writing into all her courses, bringing ideas of audience and clear communication into assignments. When she is not teaching, she works as a co-managing editor for the Journal of Transformative Learning, was a campus SoTL mentor, and directs the Technical Writing BA and advises the Composition and Rhetoric MA program. She runs a Facebook learning community to allow instructors to learn from

Get ready to dive into the rapidly evolving world of AI and its impact on higher education. As the landscape of technology shifts faster than ever, how can today’s college students and Student Affairs professionals adapt? Our guest expert shares insights on the critical questions and tools that can shape the future of AI in higher education, exploring how AI is influencing both the academic and social experiences of students on campus. Key Takeaways: AI Integration in Higher Education: What does AI integration look like for today’s college students, and what should we hope it becomes? Our guest discusses the importance of thoughtful implementation, ensuring AI supports, rather than disrupts, the learning journey. Beyond Academics – The AI Shift in Student Life: AI isn't just changing classrooms—it's influencing student life. From mental health support to campus services, hear about the ways AI is already shaping the college experience beyond academics. One Big Question for Higher Ed: With the conversati

Our guest this week is an expert with AR, VR, and XR. Meet Jeannine Charles who is committed to crafting immersive experiences that transcend the boundaries of reality.    Jeannine’s journey began with a solid foundation in Industrial Design, which provided her with a holistic understanding of form, function, and user experience. Fuelled by curiosity and a desire to explore new horizons, she has always been drawn to the intersection of technology and creativity. Her passion for visual storytelling led her to pursue a career in photography, which then led to the fields of film, narrative, mixed-media and virtual reality.    Jeannine pivoted and began her career in the tech space, exploring the possibilities of extended reality (XR) and how to catalyze the growth of media production in the immersive media landscape. This led her to the co-creation of her first VR prototype and the foundation of her XR production company, where she provides XR/AR/VR marketing solutions for mid-sized businesses.   Whether designi

play:ground NYC is an organization that focuses on the rights of children and creating affirming spaces for play. They believe that young people should be given authority, autonomy, and respect, and that society often mistreats and oppresses children. The organization promotes sustainability by using recycled materials and repurposing junk for play. They emphasize the importance of people and allocate most of their budget to paying staff. Playground NYC offers play residencies and pop-up spaces for play, providing opportunities for children to lead their own learning and enjoyment. The organization trains play workers and aims to shift parenting approaches to allow for more play and risk-taking. Parents have noticed increased confidence and empowerment in their children as a result of their experiences at this special space. Ready to learn more? https://www.play-ground.nyc/ Our guest this week: Yoni Kallai, the interim executive director, Head playworker and Co founder of play:groundNYC is dedicated to repair

Dr. Julie Jones discusses the power of play and challenges the myth that play is separate from learning. She emphasizes that play is not the opposite of work, but rather the opposite of depression. A playful classroom integrates cognition, movement, and emotion, and focuses on student choice and engagement. Dr. Jones suggests that teachers explore their own play personalities and incorporate play into their classrooms. She also encourages adults to make play more accessible in their own lives through small, playful activities throughout the day. In this conversation, Dr. Julie Jones discusses the importance of play in our lives and how it can be incorporated into our day-to-day routines. She introduces the concept of play personalities, which are different ways in which individuals engage in play. The eight play personalities are Explorer, Director, Joker, Competitor, Kinesthete, Creator, Storyteller, and Collector. Dr. Jones emphasizes the need for educators to provide playful opportunities for students and

Welcome to Season 8 of the Shifting Schools Podcast! This season, we're diving deeper into the topics that matter most to educators, with a special focus on practical strategies and innovative approaches. Get ready for new mini-series that tackle some of the most pressing issues in education today, including Generative AI—how it's reshaping the classroom and empowering both teachers and students—and Chronic Absenteeism, where we'll explore actionable solutions to keep students engaged and in school. We're thrilled to be back with more insights, expert interviews, and thought-provoking discussions designed to equip you with the tools you need to navigate the evolving educational landscape. Don't miss out on this exciting new season—subscribe now and join us on the journey to transform education for the better. Make sure to tune in and stay ahead of the curve with Shifting Schools, where we help you prepare students for their future, not our past. Website: pod.shiftingschools.com Community: camp.shiftingschools

This week's conversation challenges the myth that play is only for young children and emphasizes its value for middle schoolers, high schoolers, and adults. Sandra Chow is here and she highlights the role of play in professional development and collaboration, sharing examples from her own experiences. She emphasizes the need for accessible play spaces and suggests incorporating play into different environments, such as classrooms and libraries.  Sandra Chow is the Director of Digital and Innovative Learning at Keystone Academy in Beijing. She is dedicated to preparing the next generation for their future. With over 20 years of experience as an educator in Canada and internationally, she strives to prepare students and train educators to be instructional creators in a global community.  She is an ISTE Certified Educator, Apple Distinguished Educator and Professional Learning Specialist, Microsoft Innovative Educator Expert, and Google Certified Coach, Innovator, and Trainer, as well as a Global Competence and