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
Many teachers are frustrated when AI gives great results one day and confusing or unreliable responses the next. This episode explores why that happens and how it affects both teachers and students in real classrooms. I sit down with Rob the AI Guy to unpack a key concept that explains much of this inconsistency and helps educators use AI more wisely. If you want clearer results and better classroom conversations about AI, this episode will help. In this episode, you’ll learn how to: Understand why AI responses can drift or become unreliable over time Use simple strategies, like starting...
info_outline10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
The science of attention explains why learning cannot happen without focus—and why one teacher can make all the difference. Learn how to understand the science of attention and help students learn. This episode is an extended episode shared from my other podcast/radio/TV show: Cool Cat Teacher Talk. I'm sharing it because it is helpful, but also because I share a very special story at the end. - I hope you enjoy! - Vicki In this episode, host Vicki Davis sits down with Myriam Da Silva, AI ethicist, neuroeducation leader, and CEO of , to explore how attention actually...
info_outline10 Minute Teacher Podcast with Cool Cat Teacher
Every child can become a reader — but only when we build strong foundational skills. In this episode, literacy consultant Jennifer Burns explains the “Fundamental Four” every student needs to read with confidence: seeing like a reader, hearing like a reader, thinking like a reader, and believing they are a reader. Whether you teach early learners, support struggling readers, or want practical strategies to strengthen reading instruction, Jennifer shares clear, teacher-ready ideas you can use right away. You’ll learn how to improve eye training and decoding, how to reduce reading...
info_outline10 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_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.