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101. The Transformative Power of AI

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Folks, let’s face it. Our classrooms are going to look a little different this year. AI, specifically ChatGPT, is going to change the way we design learning experiences and assess student mastery. I’ll be honest, when I first explored the ChatGPT platform I was terrified. As I have dug deeper into the technology and its capabilities, I realized that while it does pose significant challenges — it also presents us with some pretty amazing opportunities. In this series, we will explore what AI is capable of, its implications in the classroom, and how it can benefit both teachers and students. Let’s start by examining where we have been, where we are currently, and looking forward to where we are going. Whether this is a trip you wanted to go on or not, the AI train has left the station and it is time for all of us to jump on board. From Card Catalogs to Artificial Intelligence I belong to the micro-generation called Xennial. Xennials are considered to be a “bridge” between Generation X a...
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#3. Motivation Projects: Peer to Peer Feedback Utilizing Google Classroom

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A blended lesson plan in a traditional classroom... This past week we covered the topics of motivation and emotion in AP Psychology.  I used this lesson as an opportunity to begin implementing "blended" techniques in a traditional classroom.  The learning targets for this lesson were to  1. Define motivation and identify motivational theories 2. Explain Maslow’s hierarchy of needs & 3. Define achievement motivation, including intrinsic and extrinsic motivation The duration of the lesson was 4 class periods of 45 minutes each.  I will address what this will look like in a blended model class at the end of this post.  Here is a brief outline as to what content was covered each day and the method used: Monday & Tuesday:  Introduction to Theories of Motivation 1. Students were presented with a video interview of Aron Ralston.  He discussed his ordeal of being trapped by a boulder for 127 hours and the decision to amputate his own arm. T...
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#2. Student Surveys Provide an Opportunity

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Every year our students fill out an online survey about their teachers once per semester.  It addresses topics including: classroom atmosphere behavioral expectations teacher preparedness engaging lesson design assessments learning targets I'll be honest, in the past this survey never really bothered me.  Why?  Because my scores were GOOD.  Good as in there were basically no "disagree/strongly disagree" answers.  This was always quite the confidence boost and acted as positive reinforcement to continue on my chosen path. This year, however, was a slightly different story.  As I looked at results, my heart sank and the rationalizing  began.  About 1/3 of my students took the survey (n=27) and 2-3 of those students disagreed with the following statements. My teacher knows when the class understands, and when we do not.   My teacher makes an effort to know me as a person.   The comments that I get on my work in...
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#1. How Might We?

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How Might We? Every year our district celebrates the beginning of a new school year by gathering the faculty of all four of our high schools together for breakfast and a "welcome back" speech.  Usually, it is full of... data.  This year, it was a little different.  There was nary a number to be found.  Instead, we were issued a challenge.  We were asked to consider, "How might we? "  At first, I thought that we would be told "how we might", but it soon became clear that this was a genuine question and call to action for meaningful change.  It signaled an environment in which innovation was encouraged and failure was, at times, to be expected.  It led me to question IF my current practices  are the BEST practices for my students or if there is a way that I can re-design my curriculum to better meet their needs both within and outside of the classroom walls. Like many districts nationwide, our district is implementing 1:1 and exploring a pe...
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