Episodes

  • Twitter Space About Local Software with Damon Hargraves

    Twitter Space About Local Software with Damon Hargraves
    May 16 2024

    In this discussion, Jethro and Damon dive into the use of progressive web apps (PWAs) and local hosting of educational tools to create safer and more controlled learning environments.

    They touch upon their personal experiences with AI, the benefits and functionalities of PWAs, and specifically discuss a tool called Audio Pen AI.

    Further, they explore the concept of hosting educational chats and software locally, using examples like Campfire by 37 Signals, to prevent unnecessary exposure to the internet for students.

    The conversation also covers the potential for schools to adopt locally hosted software for educational purposes, ensuring a safer, more reliable, and financially sensible approach to student technology usage.

    01:02 The Future of Software Development

    02:31 Progressive Web Apps (PWAs)

    05:20 Localized Educational Tools

    05:45 Creating a Safe Digital Environment for Students

    08:33 The Potential of Local Networks in Schools

    24:45 Educational Software and Data Privacy


    We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL.


    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

    • Simplify and streamline technology
    • Save teachers’ time
    • Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    • Improve student performance on state assessments

    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.
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    37 mins
  • Learning Through Dabbl Discovery with Ryan Palmbaum

    Learning Through Dabbl Discovery with Ryan Palmbaum
    May 9 2024

    This simulcast episode of Transformative Principal and A Vision for Learning features Ryan Palmbaum, founder and CEO of Dabbl Discovery, which is an educational platform offering bite-sized video learning aimed at helping people explore new interests and career paths through content created by experts across various industries.

    Ryan, an ex-collegiate and professional soccer player who lived in over ten countries before turning 20, discusses the importance of broad learning and not solely specializing in one area.

    He emphasizes the value of becoming a 'jack of all trades' to connect disparate industries and opportunities. The platform prioritizes verified, quality content from educators and experts, employing a vetting process for creators.

    Ryan also outlines how Dabbl boosts the learning experience through an adaptive algorithm and gamification, distinguishing it from other social media platforms by providing a more fulfilling and educational consumption experience.

    The conversation touches upon the broader future of learning, envisioning a pivot towards more specialized, less time-consuming learning paths and the importance of exploring a wide range of career opportunities at an early age.

    Overall, the discussion underscores personal responsibility in learning and the potential of platforms like Dabble Discovery to transform how individuals explore and engage with educational content.

    00:45 Meet Ryan: From Soccer Player to EdTech Innovator

    03:52 The Philosophy Behind Dabbl Discovery

    05:33 The Importance of Micro Learning and Expert Content

    07:27 Personalizing Learning with Dabbl Discovery

    10:51 Keeping Learning Engaging and Fun

    12:11 Comparing Dabbl to Other Platforms and the Future of Learning

    16:32 Ryan's Vision for the Future of Learning and Closing Thoughts


    We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL.


    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

    • Simplify and streamline technology
    • Save teachers’ time
    • Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    • Improve student performance on state assessments

    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.
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    21 mins
  • Integrating AI in Education with Lauren Owens

    Integrating AI in Education with Lauren Owens
    Apr 4 2024

    In this episode, Jethro interviews Lauren Owens and they discuss her journey from teaching Spanish and student leadership to her current role as the executive Director of Technology at Agua Fria, where she has played a significant role in integrating artificial intelligence into schools.

    Lauren shares her insights on the indispensability of merging technology with curriculum and the importance of AI literacy in education.

    She stresses that AI has been part of educational systems for decades and highlights the necessity for creating frameworks like the AI care model (clarity, accuracy, relevance, ethics) and the stoplight system (red, yellow, green) to guide safe and effective AI use among educators and students.

    Furthermore, Lauren talks about the efforts to prepare students for the workforce through academy models and project-based learning, emphasizing digital mindfulness.

    She also discusses the challenges and learning experiences encountered in promoting AI integration within school systems, suggesting that broader inclusion and engagement could enhance these initiatives.

    00:32 Key Takeaways from the Conversation on AI in Education
    02:00 The Importance of AI Literacy in Education
    03:28 Challenges and Strategies in Implementing AI in Schools
    08:30 Creating a Framework for AI Literacy Among Teachers
    14:54 Launching AI Literacy for Students: Plans and Expectations
    19:36 Reflecting on the Journey and Future Steps


    We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL.


    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

    • Simplify and streamline technology
    • Save teachers’ time
    • Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    • Improve student performance on state assessments

    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.
    Show More Show Less
    25 mins
  • Blending Traditional Education with AI's Potential with Aaron Makelky

    Blending Traditional Education with AI's Potential with Aaron Makelky
    Mar 24 2024
    This episode of 'A Vision for Learning' features a discussion with Aaron Makelky, a high school social studies teacher and entrepreneur from Casper, Wyoming, about the future of learning and the integration of artificial intelligence into education. Aaron shares insights from his experiments with using ChatGPT in classroom assignments, emphasizing the role of AI in automating tedious tasks and allowing teachers and students to focus on deeper learning. He advocates for a shift from traditional teaching methods to incorporating AI tools to prepare students for their future careers. The episode also touches on the potential of teachers leveraging their extensive networks for professional growth and the importance of educators embracing new technologies as experiments to enhance the learning experience.00:23 Introducing Aaron Makelky: A Teacher's Journey into AI and Entrepreneurship02:11 Aaron's Entrepreneurial Shift and the Value of Time06:00 Leveraging AI in Education: Aaron's Experiments and Insights17:43 The Future of Education: Embracing AI and Beyond32:58 Connecting with Aaron McKey and Final ThoughtsEvery habit is a vote for the future personOur web of networks and how thatGoing to use AI to do everything in class. Who can do the work better?Garbage in, Garbage out.Within a couple weeks, students had seen it.Can I do it, too? What is the purpose of that assignment? What real learning do you want your students to experience?Teachers had their world blown Is the learning to go to the library and research? Or is the learning to learn how to research? Beyond the curriculum, so many organic skills. Leveling text is super simple, now. Students can take control of their own learningThe future of education: rowing a rowboat and getting passed by a jetboat. Chasing things that have always been a problem and so focused on chasing those little things. Kids love it when you walk in and say “do you want to try something new today?”How do you turn something that is so slow? How many schools have policies for staff and students around AI? Education is set up on different incentives.There is something outside of the snowglobe. Within the ecosystem of public ed, it’s not going to happen. The best people that teach these things in the new world are those that teach new and different things aroundExperimentation as learning. Movement snacksIt’s already an experimentation“Preparing all students for their next steps”Advice for someone getting pushback. Unless you are preparing your students to be factory workers, you’ve got to do something different. Teachers are afraid to take risks to take advantage of it. Principals are too busy with other tasks to try new things. Allow students to lead. AI in Schools, lack of policies, experimenting with teaching students to use AI, lessons learned. A vision for the future of education**About Aaron Makelky**Aaron Makelky, a husband, father of three, leader, and teacher, holds a successful career in public education and coaching. Based in Casper, Wyoming, he currently teaches high school social studies and embarked on a business venture in December of 2023. In his newfound entrepreneurial pursuit, he has immersed himself into the world of consulting and online business, delving into the Vision Pursue's Performance Mindset for athletes and coaches.Aaron relishes the opportunity to explore technology, aiding his students in harnessing its potential. In the spring of 2023, he utilized Chat GPT in his own class assignments to gain a thorough understanding of its applications. He encourages his students to leverage writing tutors and custom chatbots, which he has been experimenting with since the fall of 2023. Aaron actively crowdsources his teaching methods from his students, integrating hands-on learning strategies and simulations, along with Spotify playlists for most of his lessons. He recognizes the crucial role of preparing students for their futures, acknowledging the need for transformation within the public education system.Website: www.aaronmakelky.comLinkedTree: www.linktr.ee/aaronmakelky We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers’ timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.
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    38 mins
  • AI As a Finishing Agent

    AI As a Finishing Agent
    Mar 1 2024
    In this episode of A Vision for Learning, host Jethro Jones invites AI literacy consultant, educator, and academic researcher, Nick Potkalitsky. They discuss the significant role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the current and future education system. They explore the importance of building trust and transparency with students while integrating AI into learning practices. Nick shares insights into his teaching methodology, emphasizing that the AI tool works best at the beginning and end of the writing phase. However, he underlines the importance of ensuring AI does not replace critical thinking or become a helpline to avoid hard work but remains a useful tool that enhances learning. They also discuss the positives and pitfalls of plagiarism in the AI era and the ethical implications of AI use in both student learning and teacher resources creation.00:00 Introduction and Guest Presentation00:55 The Role of AI in Education02:11 Addressing Plagiarism in the Age of AI05:07 The Impact of AI on Teaching and Learning15:08 The Changing Landscape of Writing with AI19:00 The Future of AI in EducationMaintain the human connection first and foremost. AI detectors are not that good. Detectors introduce a surveillance culture into our classrooms. AI Detectors destroy trustDon’t have the full impact of rolling out AI tools into writing practices?Hesitant to go all-in, but also interested in doing some things with AI. Generating ideas ex-nihilo We need to do more to prod students because of the pandemicNot having the stamina to do things from scratch and then having technology that can do it effortlessly. One method is to ignore the AI Tools. One method is to adopt the AI Tools. One method is to adopt some AI Tools. The Other Wes MooreGiving kids specific prompts, brainstorming, etc. Using AI more socratically. Khanmigo asks more questions. Concentrated human space for drafting. Some commentary from AI It’s easy to get AI to do anything, but hard to get it to do one thing. Using AI as a finishing agent. Need to give AI systems the logical connections between my ideas. How using AI himself has helped him use it with his students.Using it to generate classroom materials.How you’ve used AI yourself.Audiopen.aiAI is becoming a prosthesis for learning. Skipping over the cognitive gains that come from the sustained critical engagement with the writing process. How to prevent AI from encroaching on cognitive gains. What outcomes do we want to see? Help teachers build up watchpoints or criteria to help them know what they should focus on. What criteria can we use to evaluate use? Power comes from engaging with the toolsTraining materials to use the products to see what is possible. My initial response to AI in winter and spring of 2023: Exploration of AI detection software, going so far as to securing quotes for large packages for my schoolMy summer of study: a personal search for AI literacy My initial report of AI x Education published at AI SupremacyMy late summer realization:AI detections are inaccurate, unreliable, inspire a surveillance cultureMy favorite post on the topicNew research program: How does the integration and implementation of AI into today’s classroom impact students' acquisition of more traditional literacy and writing skills and competencies?In Sept, very little evidence to ground new practicesThus, experiments: very gradual, incrementalA collective research project Writing as knowledge-generationThe sentence as the locus of new or different thought generationMy responseMy current thinking: AI allows students to generate both content-knowledge and skills-knowledgeStudents need to know how to write in order to prompt; writing doesn’t disappear in the AI landscape, it just takes on a different formConceptualizing the AI-human workflowDifferent options currently under considerationAlan KnowlesIt is my sense that there will not be one “right” way to conceptualize AI-human interactions; that the framework will be context drivenImplementation ChallengesK-12: The major research question has not been sufficiently answered with evidence yet. Different models:Ignore AI–build traditional skills: introduce AI late in high schoolHybrid: hope a reinforcing feedback loop occurs All-in: Writing becomes writing to generate textThis is not just a pedagogical debate: moral, philosophical, cultural, politicalProbably, no universal across US K-12; more regional approaches subject to change depending upon electoral cycles, technological meltdowns, shifts in news cycles, etc. About Nick PotkalitskyNick Potkalitsky is an AI Literacy Consultant, 7-12 Language Arts Instructor, and Academic Researcher in AI, Linguistics, Rhetoric, and Instruction. He has worked in both private and public settings with students from middle school to graduate school, bringing a wealth of knowledge about these various institutional spaces and students' social-emotional and academic development ...
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    36 mins
  • Discovering the Practical Use of AR and VR in Education with Jamie Donally

    Discovering the Practical Use of AR and VR in Education with Jamie Donally
    Feb 23 2024

    In this episode of 'A Vision for Learning', host Jethro Jones interviews Jamie Donally, a technology enthusiast and education consultant, known for her work in instructional technology and staff development training particularly in the field of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in classrooms. Jamie began her career as a math teacher and moved into instructional technology where she saw potential for immersive learning. Jamie provides insight into the practical applications of technology in education, emphasizing the importance of understanding objectives and goals before deciding on the implementation of technology. She also discusses the significant aspect of collaboration across different departments in school and highlights the need to be cautious about the information shared on these platforms due to privacy concerns. In their discussion, two books authored by Jamie, exploring AR and VR implementation in classrooms are mentioned. In addition, Jamie recommends several useful resources for AR and VR in the classroom.

    • The more I use it, the more I see I need it.
    • Not everybody needs a vision pro in their classroom or a Quest.
    • Practical use of the technology.
    • Jumping in headfirst is not Jaime’s focus.
    • How to avoid roadblocks!
    • Haven’t created objectives or goals
    • Start with the struggle - usually attributed back to the teacher.
    • Where can we start to help them reach their goals?
    • Nobody should be doing technology in a silo.
    • Jaime’s two books:
    • The Immersive Classroom: Create Customized Learning Experiences with AR/VR
    • Learning Transported: Augmented, Virtual and Mixed Reality for All Classrooms
    • Start with experiences, then start with creation.
    • CoSpaces - kid-friendly 3d space creation - like roblox for AR/VR.
    • Verizon Innovative Learning Platform

    About Jaime Donally

    Jaime Donally is a passionate technology enthusiast. She began her career as a math teacher and later moved into instructional technology. Her desire to build relationships has created opportunities to collaborate with students and educators around the world. She provides staff development and training on immersive technology as an edtech consultant, and her latest adventures include the launch of Global Maker Day and the #ARVRinEDU community. She’s also an author and speaker on the practical use of augmented reality and virtual reality in the classroom.


    00:00 Introduction and Guest Presentation
    00:55 Discussion on Technology in Classrooms
    01:52 Exploring Meta Glasses and its Applications
    06:22 The Future of AR and VR in Education
    09:04 The Role of AI in Personalized Learning
    09:55 The Risks and Challenges of Technology in Education
    12:00 The Process of Evaluating Technology for Teaching
    14:47 The Impact of Technology on Teaching Quality
    18:14 Creating Customized Learning Experiences with AR and VR
    21:50 Conclusion and Final Thoughts


    We’re thrilled to be sponsored by IXL.


    IXL’s comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:

    • Simplify and streamline technology
    • Save teachers’ time
    • Reliably meet Tier 1 standards
    • Improve student performance on state assessments

    🚀 Ready to see why leading districts trust IXL for their educational needs? Visit IXL.com/BE today to learn more about how IXL can elevate your school or district.
    Show More Show Less
    24 mins
  • One Week in with The Vision Pro

    One Week in with The Vision Pro
    Feb 10 2024
    Welcome to A Vision for Learning on the BeatPodcast Network. I'm your host, Jethro Jones. Download the top 10 learning apps for Apple Vision Pro at avisionforlearning.com. Thanks for tuning in. Today, we discuss my experience one week after getting the Apple Vision Pro.A few things to note: First, it's not uncomfortable wearing it all day. Surprising, since I don't even like glasses. Second, my eyes get tired only when watching videos, like YouTube or movies. Another odd negative – sometimes it feels like suction cups on my eyes and leaves bags when I remove the headset.On a positive note, productivity is excellent. Using it for productivity is fantastic; having a Mac virtual display and connecting to my computer is game-changing. The "locking in" aspect also proves powerful, making it harder to be distracted.Some people complain about the guest mode. I never thought it would mean multiple users on the device. Would I like more users? Absolutely! It'd be great if my wife could switch profiles like on Apple TV and access her stuff with her iCloud account. But I never expected that, so guest mode seems nice to me.I can say, hey, no need to worry about someone using this. They can try it out, use the apps I provide, and move on. Resetting it after each use is a feature and, for schools, setting it up for each kid makes sense, giving them access while keeping it safe.This next piece is funny—the Apple Studio Display from a couple years ago seemed too expensive, but now I've paid $3,500 for another monitor. The Apple Vision Pro outshines it in many ways: multiple windows, immersive space—I love it.I look forward to multi-touch and using more than just my pointer finger. However, I've mis-tapped unintentionally since I don't usually think about finger placement on a screen. It's more about learning and understanding.While controllers have their benefits, not needing to suit up and lock in is great. An immersive environment with 10 fingers will be cool. Multi-touch is coming—allowing all 10 fingers to interact with screens will be nice when it arrives.Lastly, the app selection remains weak for now. But as immersive virtual reality develops, we'll see more apps designed specifically for it.In immersive iPad apps, it engulfs everything as expected. Developers must discern when this approach is suitable or not. Many apps in the app store don't make sense for the Vision Pro, except for some three-dimensional features.For instance, OmniPlan 4, a powerful project management app. I've used it before, but it didn't fit my thought process and wasn't beneficial for me. A multitude of apps in the store don't seem fitting for the Vision Pro and might not need to be one.Regarding Microsoft's involvement with Vision Pro apps, I'd say there isn't much novelty.Not really. There's not. Something like Node, for example, is an excellent idea for an Apple Vision Pro app because, in theory, if it becomes immersive, your line map can fill up your entire space, which could be cool. Sadly, that's not what they've done. They've just made it a window with Vision Pro elements. I think they'll likely adapt and change it to fill the entire area. But do you want that immersive or access other windows simultaneously? These questions need answers.Another thing about apps, especially iPad apps unoptimized for Vision Pro, is that tap targets don't always work the same. You can't always get reactions, like tapping not working all the time. It can be frustrating. But again, this takes time to happen, and we're waiting.For example, here's a great app designed for the Apple Vision Pro: timer Pomodoro. It puts a timer in your physical space and counts down without taking up room. You can move it behind you to check the time left. That app is cool.There are apps that make sense and are better in this setting than others. One tool I like is Crouton—an app I use weekly to plan meals and use recipes. It's fantastic in this app because it looks nice. Is it necessarily better in the Vision Pro than other things? Not really, but there are nicely done features I enjoy.Again, do I want that one to be immersive? No, better as a window. Deciding which apps are immersive and which aren't is essential.I believe the screen size naturally limits what we can do. I'm quite interested in this. After a week, I'm enjoying it and think it's cool. Excited to see the creativity people bring to this platform.If you want to know about cool apps I've found, go to a vision for learning.com and enter your email at the bottom. I'll send you the best education apps right now, keeping the list updated.By doing that, you'll also be notified when new podcasts are released. Some of these apps are iPad apps not yet optimized, but maybe they will be soon.If you enjoy this, take a moment to open Apple podcasts or Spotify and leave a five-star rating and review. Many have already done so, and I appreciate it. Let me read one quick review: AThurston said they'd give more than...
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    18 mins
  • Should I Buy the Apple Vision Pro for School Use?

    Should I Buy the Apple Vision Pro for School Use?
    Feb 7 2024
    Welcome to A Vision for Learning with your host, Jethro Jones. Follow me on social media @jethrojones. Today's question: Should I buy this for use in school? Can it be a tool in school? Is it too costly? Should every student have one? Is it worth it? I've used it since its release last week. It's great for productivity, and some features are incredible, like reading. But let's discuss its use for school.Apple designed a few things from the start that matter. First, they created an easy-to-access guest mode as a default. It lets you share the device with others and decide if they can access all apps or only opened ones. You can also choose to mirror the display on another device, like a Mac computer or Apple TV.Another education tool is guided access, an accessibility feature that keeps the device in a specific app. It allows you to set up a passcode and restrict users to the chosen app, preventing them from accessing other apps. This can be useful in educational settings to focus students on the task at hand.So, should we use this device for school? Consider its features and weigh the benefits against the costs before making your decision.wants to escape, a separate passcode is needed, distinct from your optic ID. You can share it or keep it secret. If you want students to focus on one app, you can set that up. A challenge: once removed, you must recalibrate for each user. This could be time-consuming but also a learning opportunity.With fingers as input and eye tracking, there's no need for controllers. My oldest daughter with Down syndrome quickly figured it out. A side note: when using guest access and turning on mirroring, the tool to invoke mirroring is always visible and easy to tap accidentally. This can be frustrating for new users.Apple designed this device for people over 13, possibly due to its size. It doesn't fit smaller heads well. When my 12-year-old tried it, she had to hold it up to keep it on her face.and maintaining eye alignment proved challenging. However, placing a beanie on her head resolved the issue, allowing hands-free use and unobstructed IR blasters and cameras.Firstly, guest mode and guided access are crucial. Secondly, the device isn't designed for young children. Thirdly, while sturdy, it's also delicate. Kids can become immersed in the experience, making it nerve-wracking for parents. Exercise caution with children using the device.Apple recommends covering the glass front. With kids and glass being a risky combination, extreme caution is advised. Additionally, the screens viewed by users are rumored to cost a thousand dollars each.The band attaching to the headset detaches easily, so avoid carrying it by the strap. Instead, place your thumb on the nose area and two fingers on top when handling it.Regarding eye health concerns, an ophthalmologist will join me in a future discussion. The device has screens inches away from users' eyes, raising potential questions about long-term effects on vision.Away from my eyes for hours, I haven't experienced the same reaction as staring at my phone for lengthy periods. A couple of differences exist. Firstly, I sit up straighter. Secondly, I focus more on posture and positioning due to the large device on my head, ensuring it stays in place. A sudden movement made me feel discomfort in my neck and back, reminding me to be cautious about how I move.Regarding eye strain, I haven't felt the fatigue usually associated with computer screens or iPads. When I have an ophthalmologist on the show, I hope to gain insight into this phenomenon. Will VR cause similar eye strain? Research is needed to determine this.Interestingly, a company uses VR to treat lazy eye. Instead of wearing an eye patch, children can watch a show in VR goggles for an hour daily to address the issue.Now let's discuss cost. At $3,500, this device may seem expensive for children. Cheaper VR alternatives exist; however, one significant advantage is the Apple ecosystem of apps already available. Many iPad apps could likely be used similarly on the Apple Vision Pro.Ultimately, the real benefit will be apps designed specifically for this device.I'm eager to see what's available for the Apple Vision Pro. Vijay Ravindran discussed Floreo, utilizing virtual reality headsets to help those with autism interact better. These use cases are incredibly powerful as they address challenges in teaching and open doors for individuals with disabilities by custom designing experiences.If you're already using apps with your students, many will likely work with the Vision Pro right away. But should you get it for your school? That depends on factors like the age of your students, their ability to handle expensive devices, and the comfort level of wearing it.Take Jig Space, an app that allows users to explore an F1 car and other complex objects in three dimensions. It's impressive and has the potential to change education significantly. While not the first virtual reality headset, the ...
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    19 mins