AI, the new calculator, the new pencil, the new personal assistant?
Artificial intelligence has been a hot topic of debate over the past few years. Having only scratched the surface as…
My Journey: From the Abyss to the Apex of Educational Technology
From the days of oral traditions to the digital era, technology has greatly transformed education, offering innumerable tools and programs that have transformed the learning experience worldwide.
As I explored deeper into my educational journey, I discovered the importance of embracing a holistic approach. It’s not just about passing exams; it’s about understanding how to apply knowledge in real-life situations and nurturing each student’s unique strengths and needs.
The introduction of audio-visual (AV) technology opened my eyes to a whole new dimension of learning. It provided instant access to information, enhanced my understanding of complex concepts, and kept me engaged in ways traditional methods never could.
However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. The incorporation of digital tools brought challenges like access disparities and educator burnout to the forefront of my awareness. It forced me to reflect on issues of equity and well-being within the education system.
Yet, amidst these challenges, I recognized the essential role of digital classroom essentials. Proficiency in video conferencing, learning management systems, and collaboration tools became indispensable in facilitating communication and engagement in the modern classroom.
The evolution of the internet from Web 1.0 to Web 3.0 paralleled my educational journey, promising personalized learning experiences while also posing new challenges for educators in adapting to technological advancements.
Assessment technologies like Kahoot and Mentimeter emerged as game-changers, revolutionizing the way learning outcomes are evaluated and fostering engagement and knowledge retention among students.
Moreover, I was enlightened to the transformative potential of inclusive education through assistive technology. It became clear to me that personalized support for individuals with disabilities not only unlocks their potential but enriches the learning experiences of all students.
Hands-on experiences in makerspaces and coding activities further developed my critical thinking and problem-solving skills, preparing me for the digital age and emphasizing the importance of experiential learning.
Finally, the emergence of generative AI offered exciting opportunities for personalized learning and adaptive teaching methods. However, I realized the importance of balancing technological advancements with ethical considerations and the preservation of essential human skills.
In conclusion, my journey through educational technology has been one of discovery, challenges, and growth. It has emphasized the importance of personalized learning, inclusivity, and the development of critical skills for the digital age. As I continue on this journey, I am committed to addressing challenges such as access disparities and ethical concerns to ensure equitable and effective education for all.
Thank you…
The following link will give you a sneak peek into my summary of learning…
Summary of Learning EC&I 833
I’m grateful for this wonderful semester. It was my second course with “Katia.” And the second ED tech course.In this video, I aim to share my Summary of Learning. Throughout this semester, our discussions have been rich with insightful points, and each presentation was executed wonderfully. I’ve gleaned valuable knowledge from our classroom interactions, which I’ve applied in my daily life. Topics like learning theories, online learning, the integration of audiovisual aids, assistive technology, and coding have enriched my learning experience. I extend my gratitude to all participants for making this semester enjoyable.
ECI 833 – AI
When I think of Artificial Intelligence, I am instantly transported to a Galaxy Cinema as an 11-year-old circa 2004 for the release of “I, Robot“, starring Will Smith. The movie delved into the concept of robots overtaking humans to conquer the world. This movie was slightly terrifying as a youngster, and even more so as an adult reflecting on AI this week.
And yes, the robots were very intense!
However, Generative AI does not have the same design or look as the robots in the movie above, but their process is very similar. AI can be more simply understood as “…the ability of machines or computer systems to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence”. Well, this does not sound too bad as it can be efficient to allow a computer or program to do tasks faster than a human can. Further, another train of thought vocalizes the dangers of allowing computers/programs to make decisions that need human intelligence, where we draw the line, and who is allowed to draw those lines. There are ethical concerns about the utilization of AI and the various frameworks for how it is being implemented in fields such as healthcare, criminal justice, and even finance. These are all valid questions, and no easy answers exist. Although, I do think that as teachers it is our job to find ways to innovate and adapt our instruction to best meet the needs of our students. And, I am cognizant that there are teachers who think it is valuable for educators to model ethical practices. So, it is important to try and remain neutral as more laws and ethics are developed around it.
I really liked Cailen’s video she posted on her blog this week from TedEd that examines the future of AI and how it will change the world that we know currently. I do think it is important to reflect on these new programs like AI to make our jobs easier rather than fear the impact it could have on the way things have been done in the past. I would recommend watching the video below to further explain how AI learns and evolves because this will aid in reducing the fear and misunderstanding of these programs.
Therefore, as much as AI is a polarizing buzzword among people at this present moment, it is still a program/machine that allows for the efficiency of tasks. I think that we as educators should be thrilled to find a program that offers this, but before we start celebrating, we must first really learn how each of these programs functions to maximize its learning capabilities. I think of the analogy of how someone who has taught a certain subject before offers you all their content and assessment material, but it is you who brings that course to life by how you present it, but not strictly the binder that you were handed to teach the course. Thus, it is so critical that teachers learn how different AI programs function to better allow students to learn and synthesize information, but this will mean that educators will need to change how assessments will look and feel in the classroom. This is a tough change for some subjects in particular, and it is difficult to feel at peace with how we as educators are preparing students for a future that is so ever-changing. It can be an overwhelming feeling to think if we are truly making a difference in students’ educational journey by how we prepare them for the future, but for me, it goes far beyond the content or process of outcome attainment. For me, my role as an educator focuses on the connections and relationships with students that foster a curiosity to ask questions and then learn where to seek answers. AI is one of the tools that can aid in this process.
Ps, if you would like to watch the movie “I, Robot”, I would give it a solid 8/10. The robots are quite creepy at times, so be prepared for that!
Thanks for your time! And let me know how AI has changed or has not changed your classroom.
Summary of Learning
Yes. That’s a toilet. Enjoy… or not… haha. No cats were harmed in the making of this film. Viewer discretion IS NOT advised.
The Semester that Was!
What a whirlwind of a semester! It felt like we just started… I hope everyone else in this class took…
ECI833 Summary of Learning
I’m currently completing my third and fourth classes instructed by Dr. Hildebrandt, and therefore this is my third (and fourth) Summary of Learning project. As I pondered how I could approach it in a unique way, I decided that I would take what I learned from this course and apply it… to my 4 year old. Enjoy!
The Other Side of the Door – What The Future Holds With AI
As I’m currently on maternity leave for this full school year, I’m not using AI in an educational/professional context at the moment, apart from my own post secondary education. However, I have been using it more and more for personal uses, and I’m 100% still nerding out over how cool it is.
Since I’m not in the classroom right now, I haven’t ventured too far beyond ChatGPT, but I know that when I’m teaching again, I’ll be exploring other generative AI tools that are specifically suited for education, like MagicSchool. Learning more about chatbots, however, it seems to be less about the platform and more about the prompt.
One way I’ve been using it at home is for cooking, and man oh man, it’s been a lifesaver on some of those what the heck are we having for supper nights. Being able to ask for a recipe with whatever random ingredients I have left in my fridge and pantry on those scrounging days has been a huge help in whipping something up that is half decent! It typically takes me two or three “tries” to get the type of recipe that will work for the night, but eventually, it always gets it.
Another way I’ve been using AI is for parenting help (yes, seriously). My 4 year old daughter is entering the age of making friends and increased socialization at school and other places like parks and play places. Expectedly, we’ve run into some challenges with exactly how to make friends or even how exactly to be friendly! ChatGPT has been a major help in creating social stories with June as the main character, walking her through how to initiate conversations, ask to play, or how to respond in situations that might not go as she planned. The possibilities are really endless with this one as I can keep prompting the AI tool to generate stories based on whatever situation we find ourselves in (getting a needle, first day of Kindergarten, trying new foods, etc!). All this valuable help…and all for free…at the minute I need it. Pretty darn cool.
Another AI use in the parenting realm has recently been for generating rhyming clues for an Easter egg hunt. I had high hopes for this one. However, I ended up writing the clues myself after several attempts to get ChatGPT to do what I wanted it to do. I don’t think I could get the prompt right, or maybe AI isn’t great at rhyming yet? Either way, after several prompt tweaks here is an example of what I got:
Uhhh…what?
I wonder if I kept tweaking it if eventually it would have got it. Maybe? But at that point I figured the time spent changing my prompt could just be spent creating the clues myself in roughly the same time. It makes me wonder about the ability for artificial intelligence to be creative and if the human mind still has the upper hand with this one. I don’t doubt that this area will improve with time and ChatGPT will be spittin’ rhymes much better than the ones I could drum up.
When it comes to AI, the possibilities are truly endless. Which is equal parts exciting and terrifying. Something I find extremely comforting, though, is that no matter how good AI eventually gets, humans will still crave HUMAN connection. And it will always be an important part of the experience of life. So I don’t think AI will ever be able to fully replace humans. But thinking about the medical and technological advancements it could make for our world for the better is pretty incredible.
Summary of Learning- Tournament of Champions
Hi all, it has been great hearing your insights throughout the semester on the evolution of Ed Tech in education. Below is a link to my summary of learning inspired by March Madness entitled Tournament of Champions. Who will win and who will lose? Have a watch to find out and I hope you enjoy! […]
What a journey!
I can’t believe we are at the end of the semester already! It seems like just yesterday I was seeing Katia on my screen for the first time.
I have attached my podcast to this post. I have to admit, I am known for always having coffee nearby and a good pun locked and loaded. It seemed only fitting to work on a podcast which incorporated both of these. I was sick when I recorded, so my enthusiasm level was a bit mellow. Either way, I hope you enjoy the recording (along with a good cup of coffee)!
