SOS Podcast

Liz Joy Moore discusses the power of play and how it can benefit both children and adults. She emphasizes that play is for everyone and that it is not impractical, even for adults. Liz believes that play is essential for connection, communication, and learning, and that it can be used to teach strategies for mental health and trauma. She suggests that professional development should incorporate play and that educators and parents should be role models for children by embracing playfulness. Liz also encourages individuals to find their own playful activities based on their curiosity.  Ready to connect with Liz? https://www.linkedin.com/in/lizjoymoore/ Liz is a trauma-informed, experiential education and 'play' advocate. Her mindful leadership and facilitation exude an air of joy that brings a fresh perspective to how leaders and teams can best work with each other and serve our developing youth. With a background in Anthropology and cultural Geography, training in coaching, MBCT, yoga and mindfulness, and love

Our summer-long 'Power of Play' series starts now with special guest Allie Ticktin. Allie’s mission is to empower children and their families through sensory play so that they can thrive through childhood and beyond. Allie is the author of the book, Play to Progress, where she provides parents with an overview of all 8 (yes, 8) senses and gives parents ways to enhance those senses at home. Allie uses the science of child development and the joy of play to boost childrens’ confidence and enhance development within all areas of their life, from social and emotional to physical and academic. Allie believes that the best way to support children is by arming their parents, from inception, with the knowledge and skills necessary to encourage their child’s development for success through childhood and beyond. Allie began her work in pediatric development at the University of Michigan, where she earned her B.S. in Movement Science, and continued her studies at USC, where she received her M.A. and Clinical Doctorate

Tricia and Jeff are so excited about the soon to start 'Power of Play' summer pod series, so they thought they would bring listeners a special free resource to pair with it. Would you like to be more intentional with play this summer? Grab our free template and get started today: https://shiftingschools.lpages.co/power-of-play/ Tune in Monday for the first episode in our Power of Play series. Reach out to Tricia and Jeff to share your thoughts on any of our resources:  info (at) shiftingschools (dot) (com)    

In this conversation, Dr. Kenny Rodrequez, a superintendent from Grandview, Missouri, discusses the use of AI, specifically our show sponsor Lebra, from a leadership perspective. He shares insights on leveraging AI to build relationships, improve communication, and streamline administrative tasks within the school district. Kenny emphasizes the importance of personal connections and the positive impact of using AI to enhance community engagement and support staff members. The conversation highlights the practical applications of AI in education and the potential for creating a more efficient and connected school environment. Ready to learn more about our guest? Dr. Kenny Rodrequez became Superintendent of the Grandview C-4 School District in July 2016. Before serving as Superintendent, Dr. Rodrequez served for two years as the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction in the Grandview C-4 School District. Dr. Rodrequez has served in several capacities throughout his career. He was a music educato

Tricia and Jeff discuss the final week of their May Micro Menu Prompt Challenge, focusing on AI and executive function. They highlight the importance of executive function skills in enacting learning and provide three mega prompts to support the development of these skills. Tricia shares her experience using generative AI for gardening and landscaping, while Jeff explores the use of AI for project management. They also announce their upcoming summer mini-series on the power of play.     Takeaways Executive function skills are crucial for organizing and enacting learning. Generative AI can be used for gardening and landscaping, providing information on plant identification and growth predictions. AI can support project management by generating frameworks and motivational phrases. The May Micro Menu Prompt Challenge offers a variety of prompts to explore different AI applications. The upcoming summer mini-series will focus on the power of play and its impact on learning and well-being. Ready to ge

Jeff Utecht and Tricia discuss the importance of AI literacy and introduce their AI literacy course. They also talk about the recent updates from OpenAI and Google in the field of AI. They highlight the significance of AI in social-emotional learning. They also explore the power of play and share prompts for creating interactive stories using AI. They emphasize the importance of involving parents in AI conversations and providing them with prompts to engage their children in learning over the summer. Ready to get the free guide they discuss today? https://shiftingschools.lpages.co/micro-menu-part-3-and-4/ Explore our new course Foundational AI Literacy https://www.shiftingschools.com/store-2/p/ai-foundation Huge thanks to our amazing sponsor Lebra! https://www.lebrahq.com/ Take $25 off with special promo code 'SSPOD25' Tell us more about your thoughts on our guide: info@shiftingschools.com What are some of the big ideas inside this conversation? AI literacy is important for educators and students to navigate

Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman discuss the second menu for the May Micro Menu Challenge. They provide prompts and resources to help educators experiment with AI literacy. They also address common questions, such as how to keep up with AI developments and whether to upgrade to the paid version of ChatGPT. They emphasize the importance of community-based learning and the need to prioritize privacy when using AI tools. In this conversation, Jeff and Tricia discuss the limitations of generative AI and the importance of understanding its capabilities. They emphasize the need for educators to have an organizing principle, such as the Drive framework, to navigate the rapidly changing landscape of AI. They also explore the power of prompt crafting and provide a feedback prompt template for effective feedback in the classroom. They encourage educators to experiment with different prompts and share their experiences with their colleagues. The conversation concludes with a reminder to save $25 on Shifting Schools' asyn

Jeff and Tricia introduce their new micro menu for the month of May, which focuses on experimenting with generative AI in different contexts. They emphasize the importance of actually interacting with AI tools and the power of collaborative conversations about the output. They also mention their sponsor, Lebra, and answer questions about handling change and choosing the right generative AI tool. In this conversation, Jeff Utecht and Tricia Friedman discuss the importance of getting familiar with and using generative AI tools, specifically ChatGPT. This episode also will introduce the Drive Framework, which stands for dialogue, re-imagine, interdependence, verify, and executive functioning. The framework provides a roadmap for educators to navigate AI literacy and leverage technology for deeper learning. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the Building Community prompt in the Mega Menu, highlighting the power of word choice and the importance of customization and critical thinking when using genera

This week Tricia interviews two of her alltime fav librarians about the role of librarians in cultivating AI literacy. Karina and Allie discuss the responsibility of librarians in fostering AI literacy, curating resources, and teaching AI ethics. They also explore the impact of social media algorithms on readers' preferences and the importance of providing guidance in book recommendations. The librarians share their favorite AI tools, such as Magic School, Diffit, and Curipod, and emphasize the need for librarians to experiment and find tools that work best for them. They also discuss the influence of TikTok and Bookstagram in promoting reading and recommend books they are excited to read. Ready to learn more about our amazing guests this week? https://www.tiktok.com/@alliethelibrarian https://www.instagram.com/alliethelibrarian/?hl=en https://www.instagram.com/cuethelibrarian/ https://cuethelibrarian.weebly.com/about.html Chapters 06:22 Curating Resources and Teaching AI Ethics 11:13 The Impact of Social

In this episode, Jeff Utecht interviews Chris Linsell, a real estate technologist, about the intersection between technology and real estate. They discuss the disruptions happening in the real estate industry and the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in transforming the profession. Chris emphasizes the importance of soft skills, such as emotional intelligence, in addition to technical skills. He highlights the need for professionals to understand and interpret human motivations and emotions in order to effectively communicate and negotiate in real estate transactions. Chris also emphasizes the importance of continual learning and adaptability in a rapidly changing industry.   Chris Linsell is a real estate technologist, a sought-after real estate coach, and hands-on real estate professional with more than 13 years of experience buying and selling anything from modest starter homes to massive waterside compounds. Chris currently serves as the Director of Content for Luxury Presence. In this role, Chris lead

In this podcast episode, the creators of Professor AI, an AI startup supporting students with AP exams, discuss their journey and the development of their app. The founders, who are 11th graders in high school, explain how they came up with the idea and the importance of founder-market fit. They also discuss the challenges of AI hallucinations and how they overcame them by using open-source textbooks and integrating with Wolfram Alpha. The founders highlight the support they received from Microsoft and their participation in an accelerator program. They emphasize their goal of providing access to educational resources for all students. Pradyu Kandala and Abhay Chebium discuss their AI-powered education platform, Professor AI, which aims to provide personalized tutoring and grading support for AP students. They address concerns about cheating and emphasize that the AI is designed to help students learn rather than replace teachers. The platform explains concepts in different ways and provides reliable sources

Imagine students grappling with AI-crafted ethical dilemmas. They're not just learning about sustainability – they’re learning how to question, research, and discern credible information. It’s about nurturing critical thinking and responsible info consumption – the core of information literacy

Our special guest this week is Zach, the host of the incredible podcast 'We The Children' Zachary Fox-DeVol, or Zach, is a curious 12-year-old with a passion for the environment and a mind eager to learn more about our planet. In June 2020, during a summer writing project, Zach ventured into the world of podcasting and created "Rule Of The Bark" . This unique podcast, told from a dog's perspective, provides humorous interviews and helpful tips on raising dogs. Zooming ahead to December 2021, Zach’s interest took a serious turn toward climate change. This led to 'We The Children,' where, at 12 years old, he dives into climate discussions and solutions from a youthful viewpoint. The podcast illuminates how kids like him care deeply about Earth's future and their actions' pivotal role in shaping a sustainable planet. In the summer of 2023, Zach was honored to join an Australian Radio Station as a US Ambassador, engaging in enlightening interviews on Funky Kids Radio. Additionally, he’s taken up speaking engageme

In this episode, Jeff Utecht interviews Pete Huang from The Neuron, a daily newsletter that explores AI. They discuss the origin of The Neuron and how it started as an experiment with AI-generated content. They also explore the landscape of AI and its potential impact on various industries. Pete shares his insights on the future of AI, including the use of customizable GPTs. He also explains how AI is leveraged within The Neuron, particularly in automating repetitive tasks. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the role of AI in education and its potential benefits and challenges. The conversation explores the impact of AI on education and the need to prepare students for the future. It discusses changes in the classroom experience, the reevaluation of the purpose of education, and the importance of core skills. The uncertainty of future job skills is highlighted, along with the human touch in communication and the value of voice and persona. Pete Huang shares his journey to AI and provides insights

In this conversation, Jeff Utecht interviews Tyler Rablin about his new book, 'Hacking Student Motivation.' They discuss the importance of feedback and assessment in motivating students, the impact of grades and assessment on student motivation, and the need for change in education. Tyler shares his experiences working with students in rural agricultural communities and the challenges they face in finding motivation in school. He also explains the concept of learning progressions and how they can replace rubrics to support student learning. The conversation concludes with Tyler expressing his excitement about the release of his book and the positive feedback he has received. Takeaways Feedback is a powerful tool for motivating students and should be broadened to include anything that helps students gauge their progress towards a goal. Motivation is closely tied to student belief in their ability to succeed. It is crucial to provide evidence of success and create a supportive learning environment. Learning

Dr. Elsa Friis, of Alongside, discusses how their clinician-powered AI tool supports young people in need of mental health support. The conversation highlights the need for mental health resources in schools and the shortage of mental health providers. The use of AI in mental health is not a new concept, and it can provide a warm and validating space for young people to seek support. The conversation also addresses misconceptions about AI and emphasizes the importance of evidence-based strategies in AI tools. Alongside offers partnership options for schools and provides a demo for interested users.   Ready to learn more about Alongside?   https://www.alongside.care/   Did you know Alongside works directly with students?   Learn more about their paid summer internship position for High School Students:   https://www.alongside.care/jobs/mental-wellness-content-development-high-school-intern   Learn more about our special guest: Dr. Elsa Friis, head of mental health at Alongside, a clinician-powered AI too

Dan White, CEO of Filament Games, discusses the future of learning games and the importance of game-based learning pedagogy. He emphasizes the shift towards focusing on skills and conceptual understandings rather than didactic knowledge transfer. White believes that game-based experiences should prepare students for the real world by imparting useful practices and higher-order thinking skills. He also highlights the impact of automation and AI on the workforce and the need to revisit what is worth teaching and learning. White shares insights on building collaborative partnerships and the power of play in improving people's lives.  Takeaways The future of learning games lies in focusing on skills and conceptual understandings rather than didactic knowledge transfer. Game-based experiences should prepare students for the real world by imparting useful practices and higher-order thinking skills. The rise of automation and AI calls for a reevaluation of what is worth teaching and learning. Ready to learn more

LUDIA AI is a free tool that helps educators cultivate a Universal Design for Learning (UDL) mindset by leveraging AI. The conversation explores the fear and misconceptions around AI in education and how LUDIA AI actually emphasizes relationships and centers humanity. LUDIA AI is designed to support teachers' time and thinking, providing ideas and options to adapt instruction efficiently. Educators can use LUDIA AI to plan and model UDL best practices, considering barriers and opportunities. Tips are provided for getting the most out of LUDIA AI, including being specific in prompts and engaging in a back-and-forth conversation. Anecdotes and feedback from educators highlight the varied uses and benefits of LUDIA AI. The conversation also discusses the importance of involving parents and caretakers in using AI tools like LUDIA AI to support homeschool partnerships and expand AI use beyond the classroom. The 4Ts model (Tell, Tinker, Tweak, Transfer) is introduced as a process for using LUDIA AI effectively. AI

On this week... Dwight Gunning, a data scientist with a background in finance, discusses the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the finance industry. He emphasizes the importance of technology in finance and the need for financial institutions to stay up to date with AI to protect against fraud and build trust. Dwight shares his personal journey from economist to technology enthusiast and highlights the value of lifelong learning. He encourages individuals to develop a diverse set of skills and mindsets to adapt to the changing world.  Learn more about Dwight Gunning: Based in Canada with Jamaican heritage, Dwight Gunning is deeply invested in integrating advanced AI technologies within the finance sector. Boasting over twenty years of expertise in FinTech, he currently works as an AI and Machine Learning Assurance Engineer at FINRA. Additionally, Dwight is the maintainer of the popular edgartools project and co-author of a book on Natural Language Processing. www.linkedin.com/in/dwight-gunning dgunning.

The co-authors of the book 'Lessons of the Pandemic' discuss their research process, motivations, and recommendations for education. They emphasize the importance of teacher voice and perspective, as well as the need for a blended research approach using surveys, interviews, and focus groups. The chapters cover topics such as teacher workload, continuous innovation, recognizing teacher efforts, and the impact of social emotional learning on student well-being. The authors also provide advice for educators interested in conducting research and highlight the benefits of collaboration. Takeaways Teacher voice and perspective are crucial in understanding the experiences and needs of educators. A blended research approach, including surveys, interviews, and focus groups, provides a comprehensive understanding of the education landscape. School leaders should consider the impact of teacher workload and prioritize protecting planning time and limiting unnecessary meetings. Continuous innovation is essentia