Project-based Learning with A.I. and Improving Friendships
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Release Date: 09/04/2023
10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
What if math could feel like play? 🎲 In this inspiring episode, mathematician and educator Dan Finkel—founder of —joins Vicki Davis, the Cool Cat Teacher, to explore how curiosity, productive struggle, and play can make math more meaningful and fun for every learner. Discover how to start math lessons with questions, why struggle builds deeper understanding, and how to help students fall in love with problem-solving again. Perfect for teachers, parents, and anyone who wants to make learning joyful. 📘 Show Notes & Links: 🧲 Sponsor: Today’s episode is sponsored by...
info_outline10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Dr. Catlin Tucker, bestselling author and blended learning expert, joins Vicki Davis to talk about how teachers can design better lessons with AI—without losing their essential human touch. From universal design for learning (UDL) to creating meaningful student choice, Dr. Tucker explains how AI can elevate lesson planning when used with intentionality and creativity. They discuss the limits of “AI lesson generators,” what true differentiation looks like, and why great teaching still depends on relationships, empathy, and design thinking. Sponsor: This episode is sponsored by Clixo, an...
info_outline10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Teaching writing can feel challenging in today’s world of short attention spans and AI-generated text—but it doesn’t have to be! In this encouraging episode, author and professor Nancy McCabe joins host Vicki Davis (Cool Cat Teacher) to share six creative strategies that help students rediscover the joy of writing. From 10-minute free writing sessions to outdoor field trips and imitating great authors, Nancy shares proven ideas that work for every age. She also explains why mistakes and “messy drafts” are not problems to fix—but signs of authentic thinking and growth. Sponsored by...
info_outline10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Learning a new language can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be! In this inspiring conversation, Spanish teacher Dawne Beck joins host Vicki Davis (Cool Cat Teacher) to share practical ways to create a low-anxiety, high-engagement classroom where students actually enjoy speaking another language. From using game-based learning and storytelling to integrating AI pronunciation tools like Speakable, Dawne explains how to build students’ confidence while keeping the focus on communication over perfection. She also discusses strategies for helping third-language learners and students who...
info_outline10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
My students asked me about the Adam Raine wrongful death suit. Parents have asked me. So, I had to spend some time digging into the issues there and how I will be part of the solution. Part of protecting kids from their favorite 'homework helper.' We should all be concerned, and I look forward to continuing to learn and converse about the issue of our times as it relates to children. Show notes and resources:
info_outline10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Teachers often feel pressured to say “yes” to everything. Dr. Brad Johnson shares why assertiveness is the secret to avoiding burnout and thriving in your teaching career and how you can do it in a way that you're not considered negative. 3 Takeaways: • Assertiveness is about healthy boundaries, not aggression. • Saying “no” is essential to teacher self-care. • Administrators and teachers both benefit from assertive communication. Growth Reflection: How do you set healthy boundaries as an educator? Show Notes Link:
info_outline10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Too many kids see math as boring or irrelevant. Tinashe Blanchet shares how creative, real-world projects like scale models can help students engage deeply with math while still hitting standards. Read more: 3 Takeaways: • Scale models and PBL connect math to real life. • Measurement is often the weakest test area—but projects can fix that. • Teachers can start small with PBL, even in tight schedules. Growth Reflection: How have you used projects to make math more engaging? Show notes link:
info_outline10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
AI didn’t break assessments—it revealed just how flawed they already were. Richard Culatta, CEO of ISTE+ASCD, shares how schools can prepare AI-ready graduates, address bias, and rethink what learning really looks like. Show notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e912 3 Takeaways: • Assessments weren’t broken by AI—they were broken already. • An AI-ready graduate needs strong human skills like storytelling and problem-solving. • Addressing bias requires both human awareness and AI tools for cross-checking. Growth Reflection: How should schools redefine assessments in the age of...
info_outline10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Cyber attacks on schools are growing. Auburn University’s Jay James shows how student-led cybersecurity operations prepare learners and protect campuses. 3 Takeaways: • Student SOCs give real-world, hands-on cybersecurity training. • AI tools like Microsoft Security Co-Pilot mentor students in real time. • K-12 schools can start small with focused projects and grow from there. Growth Prompt: How do you prepare students—or staff—for real cybersecurity threats? Show notes link:
info_outline10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Staff morale slipping or culture feeling off? In minutes, Stand Tall Steve Bollar shares quick, no-cost moves to lift school climate, empower staff, and unite your campus. Full links + guest bio: . Follow the 10 Minute Teacher for weekly classroom-ready tips. 3 Takeaways • Run a 7-week student-to-staff micro-challenge to build relationships fast. • Use five levels of decision-making to boost empowerment and morale. • Choose shared “anchors” to align subcultures and reduce toxicity. Growth Prompt Which micro-move will you try first—learn names, compliment shoes, thumbs-up...
info_outlineIn this episode, we dive deep into the transformative world of project-based learning! Our special guest, Or-Tal Kiriati from Tel Aviv, Israel, shares her innovative approach to integrating artificial intelligence and human experiences into multidisciplinary projects. From exploring the duality of human nature through literature (and a super amazing way to teach Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) to teaching friendship skills in a digital age, Or-Tal's projects offer a fresh perspective on education. Learn from her techniques in her language arts classroom to see how you can engage your students, encourage critical thinking, and make learning an adventure!
Show transcript, notes: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/815
Show Sponsor: Are you looking for engaging NGSS-aligned science lessons designed to improve critical thinking in your middle school students? Now is the time to sign up for Research Quest from the Natural History Museum of Utah. Designed by teachers for teachers these online investigations are lead by museum scientists and use the museum’s incredible collections to create engaging learning experiences that are fun for your students and easy to implement! Check them out now!
Hosts, Guests & Featured People:
Resources:
- Research Quest - amazing PBL resource for middle school students aligned to NGSS standards - show sponsor
- Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson
- Leonardo da Vinci's Portrait of a Man in Red Chalk
Show Highlights:
-
Introduction (00:00:00:02 - 00:00:08:05)
-
Sponsor and Guest Introduction (00:00:08:10 - 00:00:39:16)
Vicki introduces the episode's sponsor, Research Quest, and the guest, Or-Tal Kiriati, who is from Tel Aviv, Israel.
-
Merging Humanity and A.I. in Projects (00:00:39:18 - 00:00:58:06)
Vicki discusses her interest in Or-Tal's projects that combine elements of human experience with artificial intelligence.
-
Or-Tal's Approach to A.I. in Education (00:00:58:08 - 00:01:30:08)
Or-Tal explains how she started integrating artificial intelligence into her educational projects based on student interest.
-
Additional Resources and New Video Feature (00:01:30:10 - 00:01:56:09)
Vicki mentions the slideshow provided by Or-Tal and introduces a new video feature for the podcast.
-
Listener Feedback and First Project Introduction (00:01:56:09 - 00:02:18:17)
Vicki talks about the podcast's new format and asks about Or-Tal's first project about masks.
-
The Duality in Me Project (00:02:18:17 - 00:02:55:12)
Or-Tal describes her project, "The Duality in Me," which is designed to teach the literature of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
-
Student Engagement and Questions (00:02:55:14 - 00:03:35:11)
Or-Tal shares how she engages students by encouraging them to ask questions related to the project's main theme.
-
Project Phases and Activities (00:03:35:13 - 00:05:58:01)
Or-Tal outlines the various phases of her project, including group formation and activities like analyzing art.
-
Student Reactions and Comparisons (00:06:03:12 - 00:06:35:03)
Vicki and Or-Tal discuss student reactions to the project and how they compared their own work to the book Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
-
Examples and Student Work (00:06:35:03 - 00:07:33:07)
Or-Tal provides examples of student work, including their interactions with an A.I. tool named ChatGPT.
-
Second Project: Friendship (00:07:33:07 - 00:08:46:02)
Or-Tal introduces her second project focused on the theme of friendship, explaining its multidisciplinary approach.
-
Closing Thoughts (00:09:08:12 - 00:10:18:18)
-
Sponsor Message and Conclusion (00:10:18:18 - 00:10:58:08)
- Vicki revisits the episode's sponsor, Research Quest, and provides information on accessing their resources. John closes the podcast.