Artificial Intelligence, Education Matters, and Cultivating Resilience
Topics for this week include artificial intelligence in education, data that shows students are still struggling, and giving teachers time and space to cultivate resilience.
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The Friday Five
Become a SupporterI’m not sure about you, but January has felt like a few months wrapped into one.
Today, my students are adventuring to Fort Wilderness. The day will include tubing, skating, cross-country skiing, broomball, good food, and fun. It’s always nice to have a day where you get to interact with students that’s purely for enjoyment.
This week, Eric Nelson is in the spotlight as he shares his earned wisdom. As a Physical Education teacher of 12 years and health coach, he brings a unique perspective shaped by his passion for sports, fitness, and helping others. With experience coaching football and baseball and a recent focus on health coaching for educators, Eric combines his professional expertise with valuable personal insights as a husband and father to a 17-month-old son.
Jeremy Jorgensen
Reflection Questions:
- How can you maintain a healthy work-life balance by implementing new AI tools in your teaching practice?
- What specific changes would you propose to address teacher wellness in your school or district? Think about both systemic changes and practical, immediate solutions.
- In what ways can you contribute to building a more supportive educational community? Consider how you might engage parents, colleagues, and community members in meaningful partnerships.
The Friday Five
1 - All Things AI
AI is transforming education through real-time analytics, adaptive learning paths, and automated assessments, enabling more personalized learning experiences for students. While AI enhances education through data analysis and automation, teachers remain essential for building relationships, developing critical thinking skills, and providing emotional support. Implementing AI in education requires careful consideration of tool selection, gradual introduction strategies, and appropriate professional development for educators. This recent House of EdTech podcast does a great job exploring all things AI.
Teachers can leverage AI tools to streamline administrative tasks like grading and lesson planning, freeing up more time for meaningful student interactions. By gradually incorporating AI-powered tools, educators can focus on developing higher-order thinking skills and creative problem-solving abilities that AI cannot replicate. A practical first step is to start with one AI tool, such as using an AI writing assistant to help provide more detailed feedback on student assignments and gradually expand your AI toolkit as you become more comfortable.
2 - Struggling Students
Recent test scores from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) show that U.S. students are struggling more with reading than they did during the pandemic. While some students who already do well in math are improving, many others are falling behind. States like Louisiana show some promise, but education leaders say we need to act quickly to help students catch up.
One important way to help students do better is to get everyone involved. When parents and community members show kids that education matters, they're more likely to try harder in school. Respect for education and learning is reinforced in the home. This kind of support from the whole community could help improve student performance.
3 - Too Many Responsibilities
Each week, I look for an inspiring article to share in this third slot. This week, I've decided to write a short message instead. While searching for articles about "teacher wellness," I found only the standard advice that teachers already know—meditate, sleep, exercise, eat well, and so on. Perhaps the real issue is that teaching has become too stressful, and the system itself needs to change. Teachers in many districts are overwhelmed, facing too many responsibilities with insufficient support. Do you think changes are necessary? If so, what would you recommend?
4 - Time, Space, and Attention
"It's now time to look at teachers and all the adults working in and with schools through this same lens—as people whose learning needs include the social and emotional realm of existence. In the majority of schools, what's needed isn't more professional development on deconstructing standards or academic discourse or using data to drive instruction. What's needed is time, space, and attention to managing stress and cultivating resilience." (Elena Aguilar, Onward)
5 - Teacher Commuter Playlist: Knock on Wood by Eddie Floyd
Choose Your Own Adventure
- Is anyone else on a school clothes rotation?
- Groundhog Day is approaching. Here’s a printable scavenger hunt.
- Black History Month teaching and learning resources.
- Game: Eggnog - Travel through time and determine which events you landed in. I can see these used in social studies classes.
Why Edify Recommendations
- Book Recommendation: Digital Citizenship in Schools by Mike Ribble. This comprehensive guide equips teachers with strategies for teaching students essential digital citizenship skills in today's connected world.
- T-Shirt - If you are tired of toxicity positivity, this is for you.
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