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310: Striking the Perfect Balance: Integrating AI and Human Interaction in Elementary Classrooms

Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators

Release Date: 11/13/2023

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Does this sound familiar? You integrate AI technology in your classroom, hoping to enhance student engagement and learning. However, you find yourself overwhelmed with the vast array of AI tools and unsure of how to effectively integrate them. This ineffective action leaves you feeling frustrated and disappointed, as you see little improvement in student outcomes. But imagine a different approach—one where the power of AI is harnessed to create a balanced and effective learning environment. Together, let's explore strategies to strike the perfect AI-human balance and achieve the results you desire.

My special guest is Terry Kearnes
https://twitter.com/terrykteacher

Terry Kearnes, an elementary education teacher based in Vietnam, joins us as a guest on the podcast. With his classroom experience, Terry offers valuable insights into effectively integrating AI technology in his 4th grade classroom. Employing a project-based and standards-based approach, Terry's classroom is designed to foster student engagement and learning. Currently, his students are immersed in a unit called "Independent Me," where they have the opportunity to delve into various topics, including AI. Terry's interest in AI was sparked by its potential to enhance teaching and learning experiences. He has successfully incorporated AI tools into his lessons, using them for generating examples, lesson planning, and supporting vocabulary development. Through Terry's expertise, we will explore the importance of balancing AI integration with human interaction to create a conducive and effective learning environment.

AI levels the playing field for all students, giving them ownership of their learning and empowering them to take charge. - Terry Kearnes

In this episode, we discuss:

  • Enhance classroom learning with AI technology: Discover how AI can revolutionize your teaching methods and create a more engaging and interactive learning environment for students.

  • Elevate student writing skills with AI tools: Unleash the power of AI to provide personalized feedback and guidance, helping students improve their writing skills and boosting their creativity.

  • Personalize learning experiences with generative AI: Explore how generative AI can tailor educational content to individual student needs, promoting a more personalized and effective learning journey.

  • Strike the perfect AI-human balance in the classroom: Learn strategies to effectively integrate AI technology while maintaining the crucial human connection and interaction that fosters a supportive and collaborative learning environment.

  • Embrace the future of education with AI: Gain insights into the latest AI advancements and their potential impact on education, empowering you to stay ahead and embrace the exciting possibilities of AI in the classroom.

Enhancing Student Engagement and Learning
AI tools can significantly boost student engagement by providing personalized and interactive learning experiences. By simplifying complex concepts and adjusting language levels, AI makes learning more accessible for students of varied proficiencies. Terry Kearnes' use of Poe.com exemplifies how AI can empower students, giving them more control over their learning and leveling the playing field for all.

The resources mentioned in this episode are:

  • Check out Poe.com for a website that can help with AI examples and prompts for students.

  • Visit Code Breaker Edu's website at codebreakeredu.com to explore their Byte software, a great tool for vocabulary and language level adjustments. https://www.codebreakeredu.com/chat/

  • Encourage students to use AI tools like Chat GPT or Byte to rewrite research materials at a level they can comprehend, helping them understand complex concepts.

  • Explore the use of AI in the classroom to level the playing field for all students, including second language learners and multi-language learners.

  • Empower students to take ownership of their learning by allowing them to choose the language level for their materials when using AI tools like Byte.

  • Use AI tools like Byte to prepare for FMP reading tests by adjusting the level of the text to match each student's reading level.

Check out even more AI resources and free guides to support you at https://www.shiftingschools.com