Learning Styles, Robots, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution

_{As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. All affiliate links are marked with an asterisk (*). Thank You! Read more here.}

Check out Refind. Every day Refind picks 7 links from around the web for you, tailored to your interests. It has over 50k+ curious users.

Hello Friends and T.G.I.F.

Today our 8th graders are off to Fort Wilderness. Activity options include tubing, skating, cross-country skiing, and broomball. This yearly tradition is all about having fun together. Even the teachers are looking forward to a big day of recess. I hope to be active while avoiding injury. I still have a shoulder injury that's never fully healed from a serious game of broomball.

I hope you're able to find some fun and enjoyment throughout your day. You deserve it.

Happy Friday - Have a great weekend😄!

Here are some things I thought were worth sharing this week.

The News

Here are some articles that grabbed my attention.

• Learning Styles - Little evidence exists to support the idea that designing lessons that cater to different learning styles is effective at accelerating learning. In the age of data analysis, it makes sense to use teaching methods that are proven to be effective. My experience tells me there is a time to offer choices to students and a time when options should be limited. This is where the art of teaching comes in, which is harder to quantify.
• Mr. Roboto - Chat GPT has certainly caused quite a stir. Students and teachers now have artificial intelligence chatbots to answer their questions and write their paragraphs. The New York Education Department has blocked ChatGPT on school devices and networks. I asked ChatGPT if schools should be worried about artificial intelligence and it replied, “Schools should be aware of the potential impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on education and take steps to understand and incorporate it into their curriculum and teaching methods. However, there is no need for them to be worried as AI has the potential to enhance and improve the educational experience for students. It can assist in personalized learning, automated grading, and providing new learning opportunities. It is important that educators stay informed and educated about AI, to be able to use it effectively and ethically.” That's not bad advice. I do think artificial intelligence will force educators to rethink some of their lessons and assignments. Try it out for yourself.
• Education 4.0 - What should the next version of education look like? According to the World Economic Forum problem-solving, collaboration, and adaptability are the three critical skills that Education 4.0 must impart to students. How else will education have to change in order to prepare young people for the Fourth Industrial Revolution?
• Challenge - I set a goal to complete at least two Thirty-Day Challenges this year. Starting at the beginning of February I'm going to choose a teacher challenge and a personal challenge. Here are some of the benefits of Thirty-Day Challenges.

Thirty-Day Challenges for the Mind, Body, Spirit, and School

Participating in Thirty-Day Challenges has numerous benefits. Here are some Thirty-Day Challenge ideas for your mind, body, and spirit. You’ll also find a free challenge tracker in the link below.

WHY EDIFYJeremy Jorgensen

Growth

Personal Development and Wellness Resources

• Mood and Movement - Most people know that exercising for 150-300 minutes yields health benefits. It also combats depression. It looks like even one dose of exercise lasting between 20-60 minutes can significantly decrease negative moods. Add this to the long list of reasons to include at least one walk into your day.
• People Pleasing - For many, people pleasing is a response to anxiety. It can stem from feelings of insecurity and a fear of rejection. Try pausing before you say “yes” to something and notice how you feel. Practice saying “no”. Know your boundaries and stick to them. With practice, you’ll spend your time helping others while feeling better about yourself.
• Be Social - Humans are social creatures. Having a variety of social connections is central to our happiness. These connections should be broader than just close friends and family. When your connection spread out it increases happiness and well-being. Think of it like building a social portfolio.

Inspiration”

Here is a quote I’ve been revisiting this week:

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."— Mother Teresa

Favorite Things

• 😆 Fun - Can you draw a perfect circle?
• 📰 Article - Maybe single-use coffee pods aren't as bad as we once thought. I have a hunch there is more to the story.
• 👕 Shirt - I've been feeling a lot like this lately. If you feel like you spend too much time waiting for students to be quiet this shirt is for you*.