The Digital Learning Podcast

Everyone in K-12 education seems to be talking about AI literacy. We want students to be prepared for a world and a future where AI will be everywhere. But how do we do it? Do teacheres see it as "just another thing on my plate"? In this episode, Holly and Matt explore "embedded AI literacy," where it squeezes into regular classroom instruction -- and actually supports and strengthens the teaching of curriculum and content.

Teachers have been using worksheets for ages. They claim to give students repetitions with content and help them strengthen connections -- but how well do they really work? In this episode, Holly and Matt explore the idea that we can do better than worksheets in 2026 -- and suggest some alternatives and upgrades to consider.

Providing student feedback has always been time-consuming for teachers -- and slow feedback often produces less learning than timely feedback. AI has the potential to speed the process up, but at what cost? In today's episode, Matt and Holly talk about the importance of the "human in the loop" and how to balance it all.

We're back! The Digital Learning Podcast has been on a one-year hiatus, but the show is live once again. In this episode, Holly and Matt discuss the state of educational technology in 2026. Artificial intelligence is growing in implementation by teachers and students. People are railing against the use of technology at all in classrooms. Holly and Matt share their takes -- and how they'd characterize edtech in 2026.

AI literacy is all about preparing us with skills and understanding about AI so we can survive and thrive in the future. But it isn't just for students! In this episode, Holly and Matt discuss the ACE Framework they've created to help schools think about AI literacy, including: Awareness, Critique, and Exploration.

Lots of school districts are having to decide on contracts for all of the new AI tools that are coming into the education market. If they're not careful, they can be locked into an expensive contract with a tool that doesn't support their needs. How can they tread carefully and avoid a bad decision? Holly and Matt weigh in.

Artificial intelligence has advanced dramatically in recent years, but where are we headed next? Are today's schools and education systems prepared to equip students for this future? Join Matt and Holly as they delve into their observations in schools and explore the path forward in this episode.

Matt and Holly have seen lots of innovations in artificial intelligence over the last couple years. But nothing has quite blown their minds the way that NotebookLM did recently. Hear how this free tool works, how it might be implemented in education, and how it points to the future of education.

While some school districts are ringing their hands about Artificial Intelligence, Northville School District in Michigan is going all in. Join Aaron Baughman, the Assistant Superintendent of Instructional Services, as he shares his efforts to equip teachers and students with a wide array of AI tools. Discover how his innovative approach is preparing students for a future where AI plays a crucial role.

AI assistants like ChatGPT are disrupting the standard operating procedures for student writing. Academic integrity is front and center of many educator AI conversations, and many want to know: Can you cite AI in student work? In this episode, Matt and Holly discuss the problems with "citing AI" and suggest some better paths in student learning and writing that will better develop students.

There's a growing cry from some educators, students and even parents -- get rid of the technology. Some students are asking for more analog, non-tech learning activities. But is technology really the culprit here? In this episode, Matt and Holly talk about how COVID and emergency remote teaching set tech-infused teaching up for failure. There are lots of factors at play -- lots of pros and cons -- but throwing out technology can have some repercussions.

All over the United States and beyond, schools and districts are making tough choices about cell phones in schools. The distraction that they create is evident. But there's a safety and access component that you can't ignore. In this episode, Matt and Holly share their thoughts about this tricky topic -- and suggest that one-size-fits-all answers might not be a great solution.

Educators continue to learn more and more about artificial intelligence, large language models, and other AI tools. We (Holly and Matt) have both seen it in their workshops and presentations. A growing number of teachers are more informed, but many are still getting started. What can you do -- or the educators you serve do -- to get up to speed? In this episode, we discuss and give suggestions. Link: 20 AI "first steps" for teachers

Our options for AI-powered apps have exploded over the last year. It's easy to get overwhelmed -- and no one can keep up with everything! What apps are making an impact on teaching and learning? In this episode, we share a few of our very favorites right now. Matt's list: MirrorTalk.ai, BriskTeaching.com, Ideogram.ai. Holly's list: Adobe Express ( adobe.com/express ), Suno.com, Snorkl.app. (Matt and Holly both love SchoolAI.com!)

When ChatGPT was released in November 2022, it became the focal point of AI conversations. Lots of our thoughts on implementing AI were based on ChatGPT. But now, we have several very capable AI large language models (like Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, Anthropic Claude) and lots of other AI tools that open other doors. While some are still at the beginning of this conversation, others are starting to move to new levels. In this episode, we discuss some of the implications of "moving beyond ChatGPT."

We've said it for more than a year ... Students can't officially use AI chatbots because they're not old enough per the terms of use ... but student-facing chatbots are coming. Now they're finally here. Holly and Matt have used them -- and have worked with students in the classroom using AI chatbots. In this episode, we share the things we like about them -- and things to be aware of.

When ChatGPT was released, one of teachers' immediate concerns was cheating. What happens, we wondered, when students use AI to do work we want them to do? Teachers are still grappling with that question. It has occurred to Matt and Holly, though, that AI isn't the main culprit when it comes to AI cheating. The reasons that students use it go much deeper than that. In this episode, we examine some of the real reasons.

AI image generators are pretty incredible. They take a text description and create images based on those descriptions. (Although sometimes they miss the mark -- and they struggle with creating certain things, like human hands!) But many times, they are way better than searching Google Images for pictures. How can they be used in the classroom? Matt and Holly brainstorm ideas -- and how they can be an entry point to having conversations with students about AI. Resources: AI image generators: 10 tools, 10 classroom uses

We know how important timely feedback is to student growth. But it can also be a struggle to provide it -- especially when we have lots and lots of students! How can we make it manageable? In his return to the classroom, Matt has found a simple strategy with Pear Deck that lets him provide targeted student feedback and general feedback to the class. In this episode, he and Holly talk about it and why it works.

The Ditch Summit, a free online conference for educators hosted by Matt, is open! You can register at http://ditchsummit.com . What can you expect? In this episode, Matt and Holly discuss some of their favorite takeaways from several Ditch Summit sessions, including content on artificial intelligence, project-based learning, student relationships, and more.

We know that artificial intelligence will grow in its sophistication and ability. But how will that impact the workforce? And, just as importantly, what skills will be beneficial in this shifted workforce? In this episode, Holly and Matt discuss this with Dr. Micah Shippee, Director of Education Technology Consulting and Solutions for Samsung. They share several skills we can develop in students and some thoughts on how they can be integrated into learning. Dr. Micah Shippee , is the Director of Education Technology Consulting and Solutions at Samsung. Micah and his team design, develop, and deliver learning solutions to inspire and empower educators and learners. The team strives to amplify the meaningful work in education by supporting the adoption of Samsung innovation. Micah operates at the intersection of practice and research as a veteran consultant and professor specializing in planned change and innovation, learning theory, project management, and organizational behavior. His efforts focus on the adoption and deployment of new technological innovations in organizations. As an author, consultant, and keynote speaker, he focuses on the adoption of innovation through the development of cultures that embrace change. Micah is the author of WanderlustEDU: An Educator's Guide to Innovation, Change, and Adventure and co-author of Reality Bytes: Innovative Learning Using Augmented and Virtual Reality . Resources: AI for Educators book by Matt Miller Artificial intelligence may change the world more than the iPhone, the internet, or even electricity. It's bound to change education. (It already has.) But how? AI for Educators is a readable guide for educators. It translates AI through a teacher lens. It provides practical ideas you can use in class right away. It unlocks powerful ways to streamline teaching and save time. It also paints a picture of the future our students will face—and provides questions you can help them grapple with. We can use AI to empower teaching and learning. And it can start today. The AI Infused Classroom book by Holly Clark Ready or not . . . AI is here. Now. And it has concerned and curious educators asking questions: What are the strengths and weaknesses of artificial intelligence (AI) models, like ChatGPT? How do ChatGPT and other large language models change things like the writing process? What do we need to understand about large language models (LLMs) and AI's ability to transform how—and how quickly—we can communicate with our students and peers? How can we teach students to use AI appropriately and in ways that enhance their learning experiences? With the right mindset, the right questions, and the right strategies, you can use AI to create and broaden meaningful learning experiences for every student.

It's clear that AI is going to force some changes to how we do classwork and school. But in what directions should we move? It's time to look through our Tomorrow Glasses and predict what students will need to survive and thrive in the era of artificial intelligence. In this episode, Holly and Matt share some shifts we can make now in our classwork and schools to start to prepare students for their future.

Peter Paccone, a high school social studies teacher in California, saw the benefits of generative AI as soon as ChatGPT came out in 2022. Since then, he's been incorporating it into his practice but also championing its use in Advanced Placement classes and to promote instant feedback with students. In this episode, Holly and Matt ask Peter about his experiences -- and why he believes so strongly in the power of AI on equity in education. You can connect with Peter on Twitter/X @PeterPaccone

Students have lots of content to master. But not all of it is connected to their interests or curiosities. Thankfully, we have ways to infuse student choice into what students are learning. Choice boards give students additional resources connected to what they're learning that are tailored to what students are into. In this episode, Matt and Holly tell you all about explore boards and how you can make them for your students. Resources: Using an Explore Board in the Classroom: The Outsiders HyperDoc Example from Holly Clark Personalize learning with Explore Boards from Matt Miller 🍿Watch this one minute Tik Tok on what this Explore Board is 🍿Watch this one minute Tik Tok of this Explore Board in action with students

In this episode of the Digital Learning Podcast, Matt Miller and Holly Clark discuss how to create chatbots for use in the classroom. Chatbots can be a valuable addition to the classroom, providing students with personalized support and feedback. By following best practices, teachers can create effective chatbots that enhance the learning experience for their students. In this episode, Holly shares her experience creating a chatbot and ideas for using something similar in the classroom. Resources: Poe.com Poe is a platform that lets people ask questions, get instant answers, and have back-and-forth conversations with a wide variety of AI-powered bots. It is available on iOS, Android, MacOS and web. Huggingface.co Hugging Face offers tools that enable users to build, train, and deploy machine learning models. ChatGPT Vision The new features include voice and image capabilities that allow users to have a voice conversation or show ChatGPT what they are talking about, and to snap pictures of objects and ask questions about them. Khanmigo Khanmigo is an AI-powered tool developed by Khan Academy that helps students and teachers with their learning and teaching. It gives suggestions and feedback to students as they write, debate, and collaborate, and provides personalized tutoring to learners of all backgrounds.

Let's be honest. Students are already using AI tools on their own, whether or not they're old enough or have permission. But they're not just using them to do their homework. In this episode, Matt and Holly share what they're hearing from teachers and students about how they're using AI to learn deeply -- and paint a picture of how it can be used to engage students and level up learning.

We want to provide students with high-quality articles, videos, and other resources so they can learn about new ideas. We love it when students can explore those resources on their own to learn. But we don't want to spend countless hours searching for them -- and vetting them. Where can we find great learning resources that we can share easily with our students? In this episode -- where he's flying solo! -- Matt shares several of his favorite sources of quality learning materials that you can put in your teaching materials and class activities or share easily with students. Read more: 20+ sources of FREE digital content for your class from Ditch That Textbook Personalize learning with Explore Boards from Ditch That Textbook

It's hard to picture what the world will look like as AI grows and gets smarter -- even in the next few years. But it's up to our students to be prepared to survive and thrive in a world where AI will be a regular part of it. How do we prepare them? How do we even know what to do when there's so much that's unclear? In this episode, Matt and Holly think through it and provide some guidance. More AI Resources: AI for Educators book by Matt Miller Artificial intelligence may change the world more than the iPhone, the internet, or even electricity. It's bound to change education. (It already has.) But how? AI for Educators is a readable guide for educators. It translates AI through a teacher lens. It provides practical ideas you can use in class right away. It unlocks powerful ways to streamline teaching and save time. It also paints a picture of the future our students will face—and provides questions you can help them grapple with. We can use AI to empower teaching and learning. And it can start today. The AI Infused Classroom book by Holly Clark Ready or not . . . AI is here. Now. And it has concerned and curious educators asking questions: What are the strengths and weaknesses of artificial intelligence (AI) models, like ChatGPT? How do ChatGPT and other large language models change things like the writing process? What do we need to understand about large language models (LLMs) and AI's ability to transform how—and how quickly—we can communicate with our students and peers? How can we teach students to use AI appropriately and in ways that enhance their learning experiences? With the right mindset, the right questions, and the right strategies, you can use AI to create and broaden meaningful learning experiences for every student.

As educators better understand AI -- and as it spreads into our everyday lives -- it's finding its way into classrooms. How are students using it? How can we use it to level up learning? In this episode, you'll see what might make a student say, "AI isn't doing the work for me. It's helping me be a better thinker."

According to a recent article, AI is now as good as a human at evaluating a standard five-paragraph essay and giving feedback on it. We know that AI can be helpful on saving us time. But is it making it more efficient at the right things ... at things that will really help students learn and prepare them for their future? In a solo episode, Matt shares some ways we can shift our thinking to really unlock the true potential that AI has for our classrooms and schools. He shares four places where we think AI is helping us -- and then paints the picture of how it can really transform learning instead. Article: AI Can Grade a Student Essay as Well as a Human. But It Cannot Replace a Teacher Infographic: Will Students Use AI on Classwork? It's Complicated Join the Ditch That Textbook email newsletter for techy student engagement ideas based on Matt's book, Tech Like a Pirate . Learn more about AI in the classroom with The AI Infused Classroom book by Holly Clark

AI image generators will create gorgeous, high-resolution images for us. All we have to do is type a description of what we're looking for. We've heard lots of discussion about using large language models like ChatGPT in the classroom. Can we use AI image generators to lead to meaningful learning? Absolutely! In this episode, Matt and Holly talk about some of their favorite AI image generator tools. They talk about classroom activities that can be amplified by AI-generated images. And they talk about some of the implications to keep in mind while using these tools. After listening to this episode, you'll be excited and equipped to start adding AI-generated images to your teaching and learning. More Resources: AI image generators: 10 tools, 10 classroom uses In this post you'll find: 10 things to know about AI image generators 10 AI image generators you can use in the classroom 10 classroom ideas that use AI image generators AI for Educators book by Matt Miller Artificial intelligence may change the world more than the iPhone, the internet, or even electricity. It's bound to change education. (It already has.) But how? AI for Educators is a readable guide for educators. It translates AI through a teacher lens. It provides practical ideas you can use in class right away. It unlocks powerful ways to streamline teaching and save time. It also paints a picture of the future our students will face—and provides questions you can help them grapple with. We can use AI to empower teaching and learning. And it can start today. The AI Infused Classroom book by Holly Clark Ready or not . . . AI is here. Now. And it has concerned and curious educators asking questions: What are the strengths and weaknesses of artificial intelligence (AI) models, like ChatGPT? How do ChatGPT and other large language models change things like the writing process? What do we need to understand about large language models (LLMs) and AI's ability to transform how—and how quickly—we can communicate with our students and peers? How can we teach students to use AI appropriately and in ways that enhance their learning experiences? With the right mindset, the right questions, and the right strategies, you can use AI to create and broaden meaningful learning experiences for every student.

In this episode of the Digital Learning Podcast, Matt Miller and Holly Clark, discuss the impact of using artificial intelligence (AI) in education and the importance of transparency when using it. The hosts mention that many students are starting to use AI assistants such as ChatGPT as they complete their schoolwork, which has left teachers in a difficult position of trying to teach students how to use AI in responsible ways while navigating the ever evolving landscape of AI themselves. Matt and Holly discuss what student transparency looks like in reference to the plagiarism graphic created by Matt (viewable below and at ditch.link/cheating). Resources: AI in the classroom: What's cheating? What's OK? Now that generative AI tools like ChatGPT are available, classwork is bound to change as a result. How do we preserve academic integrity? What's cheating, and what's OK? Here are some ideas. AI for Educators book by Matt Miller Artificial intelligence may change the world more than the iPhone, the internet, or even electricity. It's bound to change education. (It already has.) But how? AI for Educators is a readable guide for educators. It translates AI through a teacher lens. It provides practical ideas you can use in class right away. It unlocks powerful ways to streamline teaching and save time. It also paints a picture of the future our students will face—and provides questions you can help them grapple with. We can use AI to empower teaching and learning. And it can start today. The AI Infused Classroom book by Holly Clark Ready or not . . . AI is here. Now. And it has concerned and curious educators asking questions: What are the strengths and weaknesses of artificial intelligence (AI) models, like ChatGPT? How do ChatGPT and other large language models change things like the writing process? What do we need to understand about large language models (LLMs) and AI's ability to transform how—and how quickly—we can communicate with our students and peers? How can we teach students to use AI appropriately and in ways that enhance their learning experiences? With the right mindset, the right questions, and the right strategies, you can use AI to create and broaden meaningful learning experiences for every student.

In this episode of the digital learning podcast Matt and Holly discuss the impact of using artificial intelligence to write essays. They discuss what place essays play in the future of learning and how other examples of classwork change. As we think about AI in the classroom how should we adjust? Should we adjust? Resources: AI in the classroom: What's cheating? What's OK? Now that generative AI tools like ChatGPT are available, classwork is bound to change as a result. How do we preserve academic integrity? What's cheating, and what's OK? Here are some ideas. AI for Educators book by Matt Miller Artificial intelligence may change the world more than the iPhone, the internet, or even electricity. It's bound to change education. (It already has.) But how? AI for Educators is a readable guide for educators. It translates AI through a teacher lens. It provides practical ideas you can use in class right away. It unlocks powerful ways to streamline teaching and save time. It also paints a picture of the future our students will face—and provides questions you can help them grapple with. We can use AI to empower teaching and learning. And it can start today. The AI Infused Classroom book by Holly Clark Ready or not . . . AI is here. Now. And it has concerned and curious educators asking questions: What are the strengths and weaknesses of artificial intelligence (AI) models, like ChatGPT? How do ChatGPT and other large language models change things like the writing process? What do we need to understand about large language models (LLMs) and AI's ability to transform how—and how quickly—we can communicate with our students and peers? How can we teach students to use AI appropriately and in ways that enhance their learning experiences? With the right mindset, the right questions, and the right strategies, you can use AI to create and broaden meaningful learning experiences for every student.

In this episode of the Digital Learning Podcast, Matt and Holly discuss the latest developments in artificial intelligence and how they impact education. They highlight the benefits of using AI in education, such as the ability to use AI to assist with lesson planning. They also discuss the impact of ChatGPT4 and ChatGPT5, along with other tools that are beginning to integrate AI into their user experience. More AI resources: ChatGPT, Chatbots and Artificial Intelligence in Education from Ditch That Textbook AI just stormed into the classroom with the emergence of ChatGPT. How do we teach now that it exists? How can we use it? This post provides an overview of ChatGPT and tons of resources about AI and it's place in the classroom. 30 AI Tools for the Classroom from Ditch That Textbook Artificial intelligence is growing by leaps and bounds. It's no longer science fiction anymore! Lots of AI tools can serve as our own personal assistants -- answering questions, helping us write text, create images, speak more effectively, and more. Time has always been a barrier in the classroom. Most teachers would agree that they would be able to do more -- including the things that are most important -- if they had more time. Teachers can find AI tools that are ready to help them out right now. Lots of them are free or have "freemium" plans with limited free options. Check out 30 AI tools and ready how you can start using them to support your work in class. All Ditch That Textbook AI Posts Check out all of the AI posts on the Ditch That Textbook blog. AI for Educators book by Matt Miller Artificial intelligence may change the world more than the iPhone, the internet, or even electricity. It's bound to change education. (It already has.) But how? AI for Educators is a readable guide for educators. It translates AI through a teacher lens. It provides practical ideas you can use in class right away. It unlocks powerful ways to streamline teaching and save time. It also paints a picture of the future our students will face—and provides questions you can help them grapple with. We can use AI to empower teaching and learning. And it can start today. The AI Infused Classroom book by Holly Clark Ready or not . . . AI is here. Now. And it has concerned and curious educators asking questions: What are the strengths and weaknesses of artificial intelligence (AI) models, like ChatGPT? How do ChatGPT and other large language models change things like the writing process? What do we need to understand about large language models (LLMs) and AI's ability to transform how—and how quickly—we can communicate with our students and peers? How can we teach students to use AI appropriately and in ways that enhance their learning experiences? With the right mindset, the right questions, and the right strategies, you can use AI to create and broaden meaningful learning experiences for every student.

When the summer comes around, it's definitely time to relax, disconnect and recharge your batteries. But it's also ME time, where you get to learn what you want to learn. Thankfully, there are tons of professional learning opportunities over the summer. In today's episode, Matt shares lots of the things he's excited about. AI Infused Classroom: A free learning event -- Inspiring ideas to shift teaching and maximize learning in a world of AI, 10 sessions, 10 days, 10 challenges. Sessions come out July 15 to Aug 15. infused.link/ai-infused ... Register to get the ChatGPT and AI in Education Resources Slides, including: AI bias and misinformation help guide, quick start guide for teachers and students, and AI lesson upgrade ideas. Register for FREE here Wakelet Community Week -- "promises to be the biggest, boldest, and most exciting online EdTech event of the year!" Immerse yourself in a week of exclusive sessions, keynotes, networking, and giveaways - boosting your professional development, and helping you unpack the latest trends in education. Sessions on student portfolios, digital citizenship, the 5 C's, mindfulness in a STEM environment, esports, "the Wakelet yoga retreat", school community Matt and Holly: AI in Education: Getting it Right! Get details here Register here Cypress-Fairbanks Digital Learning Conference: Please plan to join us for two days of amazing presenters from many EdTech experts. Participants can earn up to 16 hours of professional development credit. July 26-27. All online, all free. Get info, speakers, session links and more here. Awesome Teacher Summer: PD bingo choice board: There are lots of free PD opportunities over the summer! Find what gets you excited and get signed up. Here are dozens of opportunities -- including a PD bingo choice board! See the post The AI Infused Classroom book -- Ready or not . . . AI is here. Now. And it has concerned and curious educators asking questions: What are the strengths and weaknesses of artificial intelligence (AI) models, like ChatGPT? How do ChatGPT and other AI tools change the writing process? What do we need to understand about large language models (LLMs) and AI's ability to transform how—and how quickly—we can communicate with our students and peers? How can we teach students to use AI appropriately and in ways that enhance their learning experiences? Open-source, content-creating AI models are a relatively new addition to the education landscape—and they are the next step for edtech tools. The key to successfully integrating any edtech tool, Clark says, is to focus on the deep learning and masterful pedagogy teachers can achieve with educational shifts, like the one the world is currently experiencing. Yes, things will change, but AI does not replace the need for well-trained and highly qualified teachers in the classroom. In fact, students need educators' guidance, now more than ever, to ensure they are prepared for the world of AI. With the right mindset, the right questions, and the right strategies, you can use AI to create and broaden meaningful learning experiences for every student. Buy on Amazon (paperback) AI for Educators book: Artificial intelligence may change the world more than the iPhone, the internet, or even electricity. It's bound to change education. (It already has.) But how? AI for Educators is a readable guide for educators. • It translates AI through a teacher lens. • It provides practical ideas you can use in class right away. • It unlocks powerful ways to streamline teaching and save time. It also paints a picture of the future our students will face—and provides questions you can help them grapple with. We can use AI to empower teaching and learning. And it can start today. Buy on Amazon (paperback/Kindle ebook) AI for Educators online course: It's a four-week course, offered in the spring, in the summer, and during back-to-school time. (Dates below.) It features a live video session each week (that can be watched as a video replay). You get tons of helpful resources. Each week, you'll get lesson ideas, videos, downloadable PDFs, and more. It's interactive! You can comment during the live video sessions. Plus, you can interact with participants in comments in the course. Upon completion, you'll get a certificate of completion for five (5) hours of professional development credit Keep the course materials (videos, resources, etc.) forever. No expiration. Register for the summer cohort (June 12-July 7) Register for the back to school cohort (July 31 to August 25)

In this episode, of the Digital Learning podcast Matt and Holly discuss the connection between AI and academic integrity. Many students are starting to understand the capabilities of AI assistants such as Chat, GPT, Bard, and Microsoft's Perplexity and are using them to cheat on their schoolwork. This has left teachers in a difficult position of having to teach in the current environment while also trying to keep up with the evolving technology and changing landscape. Matt and Holly discuss the difficulty of knowing how much cheating is being done without openly discussing AI in the classroom and the use of AI detectors to detect plagiarism.

In this episode of The Digital Learning Podcast, Holly shares her experience of providing professional development to teachers at a school with diverse student populations. She introduced the concept of blended learning and encouraged teachers to use digital tools to engage and differentiate their students. Holly showcased the Microsoft Flip and Book Creator tools and their ability to help students create rather than just consume information.

In this episode, we get nerdy with some cognitive science! Matt and Holly share 10 tips, backed by brain science, that lead to long-lasting learning. They're little shifts that often don't take extra prep time or many instructional minutes. But the benefits of them are long-lasting. You can use lots of these practices right away to help student learning stick in time for end-of-year tests. Read more: 10 ways to use the science of learning in class

In this episode of the podcast, Holly and Matt celebrate that the end of the school year is getting closer and closer! As students start wrapping up their work for the year, digital portfolios and reflection can be a big help. Students can use digital portfolios to display their best work -- what Holly calls a "showcase portfolio." Or they can select items that demonstrate all of their growth throughout the year. It's OK if you haven't been adding to portfolios all year long. It's not too late! Also, we discuss the power of reflection -- a quick practice you can add in just a few minutes that brings important transfer and lasting learning. Read more: Student Digital Portfolios Made Easy with Wakelet 15 ideas for digital end-of-semester final projects 7 strategies to thrive at the end of the semester Ditch That Textbook's end of the year reflection templates

In this episode of the Digital Learning Podcast, Matt and Holly discuss the concept of choice and voice in education. They explore how some teachers give students too many choices, which can take away from their voice and agency. They suggest that while choice and voice are important, to empower students, teachers need to move away from making all the choices themselves and allow students to take control of their own learning. They argue that this is the key to student-centered learning and giving students more agency. Resources: Progressive choice boards: Provide choice without overwhelming https://www.hollyclark.org/2022/01/04/using-an-explore-board-in-the-classroom/

What happens when a disruptive technology like ChatGPT is on a collision course with your school's policies and practices? In this episode of the Digital Learning Podcast, we explore the reaction of a Florida high school to its students using ChatGPT in their classwork. Whether you've had to confront these issues in your school or not, this serves as a case study to examine when it's time to have those conversations. We discuss the importance of having conversations -- with students, with parents, and among school staff -- about appropriate use. We also talk about the importance of having conversations before handing out punishments. This episode will help equip you for your own conversations and decisions in your school and school district.

In this episode of The Digital Learning Podcast, we're discussing how to incorporate AI, specifically ChatGPT, into your classroom to change the way you think about writing. Our guest, Jill Pavich, shares practical ways to use AI to enhance the writing process and empower your students. As teachers, we're always looking for ways to make our students' learning experiences more meaningful and engaging. AI tools like ChatGPT can help us do just that. Rather than relying solely on AI-generated content, Jill encourages teachers to encourage students to add their own human touch to their writing. By leveraging their interests and passions, AI tools can stimulate ideas and save time. Jill highlights the speech-to-text feature as a valuable tool for both students and teachers. By embracing AI tools, we can work smarter and give our students more meaningful experiences. So if you're looking to incorporate AI into your classroom, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to discover how ChatGPT can help you and your students work smarter and achieve better writing outcomes. You can connect with Jill on Instagram @JillPavich and on her website JillPavich.com . Download her free writing kickstart resource at JillPavich.com/kickstart .

In this episode of The Digital Learning Podcast, we discuss ChatGPT - an AI language model developed by OpenAI. We talk about how teachers can still use it and copy over the responses for their students to use even though it's age-restricted. We also discuss how AI is changing the writing process and information literacy, and what will become the most important part of writing in a world of AI.

In this episode, Josh Ratliff talks about his experiences with technology addiction in schools, including his own struggle with it as a parent and an administrator. He shares that the desire for human connection is what draws students to technology and that schools should focus on integrating technology in ways that encourage collaboration and joint reasoning, rather than just individual work. He emphasizes the importance of finding the best use of technology, establishing a healthy relationship with it, and being connected to a tribe, while also establishing a relationship with a mentor who can provide accountability and demand excellence. By understanding the desire for connection, schools can help students achieve a healthy relationship with technology and thrive academically and personally. Follow Josh on Twitter at @JRatliffEDU Visit Trafera.com or check out the Trafera booth at most major EDU conferences.

Everyone seems to be talking about artificial intelligence right now -- and its impact on education. Now that ChatGPT and other artificial intelligence assistants are going mainstream, how does it affect education? We've discussed this with educators. Now let's talk to someone in the tech industry. In this episode, Matt interviews Jens Seip, co-founder and CEO of Curipod, an AI tool that will build you interactive presentation slides on any topic. He shares insight from inside the tech landscape -- plus some tips and things that teachers should keep in mind. Curipod website: https://curipod.com/ Generate a ready-to-use interactive slide deck right now: https://curipod.com/ai Follow Curipod on Twitter: https://twitter.com/curipodofficial Follow Jens on Twitter: https://twitter.com/JensSeip

In this Ditch Summit recap, we talk about the sessions you don't want to miss to help narrow down which ones you absolutely will want to watch. Hurry access to The Ditich Summit ends Jan 6th. Get your FREE access at ditchsummit.com.

In this episode, Matt and Holly dscuss some great lesson ideas for that time before the break. This includes six sites that get students having fun and learning to think about the world around them.

In this episode, Matt and Holly dscuss six creative lesson ideas for the classroom. From a very powerful HyperDoc to Passion Projects this episode will focus on how we can give students more agency in their learning.

In this episode, Matt and Holly talk about how we can go beyond quizzing apps to really powerful assessment practices in our digital classrooms.

In this episode, Matt and Holly look at digital quizzing tools. They deconstruct the pros and cons and offer ways to use these digital tools most effectively in the classroom.

In this episode, Holly and Matt unpack a few metaphors that might help teachers understand the parts of blended learning.

In this episode, Matt and Holly talk about some of the building blocks of blended learning. To be a good digital educator these six building blocks will help you ask the right questions, and think about what digital pedagogy should look like in the classroom.

We discuss what digital citizenship is, where to find great resources (spoiler alert: it's Common Sense), and how digital citizenship can show up in your class all throughout the year.

In this episode, Matt and Holly talk about the importance of blended learning, why we do it and offer a few quick suggestions for getting started.

Matt's back in the classroom teaching high school Spanish. He recently read the book The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek ... and it changed his view on how he approaches grading and rigor in his classroom. In this episode, Matt and Holly discuss it -- and how you can take an "infinite game" approach to your own classroom, too. Read: The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek

OpenAI has released several big new features for ChatGPT-4, the paid premium version. Even though many teachers probably don't subscribe to it, these features paint a picture of where AI is headed and how it can impact the classroom. In this episode, Holly and Matt give an overview of some of the most important changes. Plus, they outline the executive order on artificial intelligence from the White House and how it'll impact education. More AI resources: ChatGPT, Chatbots and Artificial Intelligence in Education from Ditch That Textbook AI just stormed into the classroom with the emergence of ChatGPT. How do we teach now that it exists? How can we use it? This post provides an overview of ChatGPT and tons of resources about AI and it's place in the classroom. 30 AI Tools for the Classroom from Ditch That Textbook Artificial intelligence is growing by leaps and bounds. It's no longer science fiction anymore! Lots of AI tools can serve as our own personal assistants -- answering questions, helping us write text, create images, speak more effectively, and more. Time has always been a barrier in the classroom. Most teachers would agree that they would be able to do more -- including the things that are most important -- if they had more time. Teachers can find AI tools that are ready to help them out right now. Lots of them are free or have "freemium" plans with limited free options. Check out 30 AI tools and ready how you can start using them to support your work in class. All Ditch That Textbook AI Posts Check out all of the AI posts on the Ditch That Textbook blog. AI for Educators book by Matt Miller Artificial intelligence may change the world more than the iPhone, the internet, or even electricity. It's bound to change education. (It already has.) But how? AI for Educators is a readable guide for educators. It translates AI through a teacher lens. It provides practical ideas you can use in class right away. It unlocks powerful ways to streamline teaching and save time. It also paints a picture of the future our students will face—and provides questions you can help them grapple with. We can use AI to empower teaching and learning. And it can start today. The AI Infused Classroom book by Holly Clark Ready or not . . . AI is here. Now. And it has concerned and curious educators asking questions: What are the strengths and weaknesses of artificial intelligence (AI) models, like ChatGPT? How do ChatGPT and other large language models change things like the writing process? What do we need to understand about large language models (LLMs) and AI's ability to transform how—and how quickly—we can communicate with our students and peers? How can we teach students to use AI appropriately and in ways that enhance their learning experiences? With the right mindset, the right questions, and the right strategies, you can use AI to create and broaden meaningful learning experiences for every student.

In this episode of The Digital Learning Podcast we discuss how ChatGPT and AI assistants can help teachers save time and be more productive. We cover the benefits of AI for summarizing chapters, generating lesson plans, and assisting with IEPs and emails. While AI can provide feedback and rubrics, we also acknowledge that human interaction and personalized approaches remain essential for effective teaching.

In this episode, we hear from Jill Pavich, a former high school English language arts teacher who coaches teachers to develop authentic learning and writing in real contexts. Jill discusses how writing is changing in the digital age and how we can prepare students for writing in 2023 and beyond. She emphasizes the importance of valuing academic writing while also incorporating writing that is authentic and relevant to students' lives, such as social media and video. Jill also discusses the role of ChatGPT, an AI language model, in the writing process and how it can be used to help students overcome the intimidation of starting and to focus on the revision phase. Finally, Jill encourages educators to shift the conversation from "kids need to write" to "kids need to edit" and to let go of the stigma of social media as a valid form of communication. Connect with Jill at jillpavich.com

Matt and Holly just attended the TCEA Conference in San Antonio, Texas. They presented on ChatGPT and AI in Education together ... but there were other things that everyone seemed to be talking about. They noticed the long lines to attend some sessions and figured out what a big topic of conversation was -- creating in the classroom! In this episode, Matt and Holly talk about the importance of classroom creation -- one of the building blocks of blended learning -- and some tools you can use to help your students create, too. We were also joined by Stevie Frank, an educator from Indiana who has helped her students to create podcasts. In this episode, we mentioned several tech tools: Book Creator ( http://bookcreator.com ) Microsoft Flip ( http://flip.com ) Apple Clips ( https://www.apple.com/clips ) Soundtrap ( http://soundtrap.com ) For more information about the Digital Learning Podcast -- and to subscribe! -- visit our website at http://digitallearningpodcast.com

Description: Matt traveled to Samsung's offices in New York and New Jersey recently and met up with a few education authors with big ideas. Hear what their books are all about and some important takeaways from those books that will get you thinking or teaching differently -- whether you buy the books or not! Guests include: Dr. Monica Burns, education consultant/author, Class Tech Tips Dr. Micah Shippee, Samsung professional development director Dee Lanier, author, speaker, and Samsugn professional development consultant

In this episode, Matt and Holly talk about what a blended learning class should look like and the upgrades educators could make that are simple but produce transformative results.

In this episode, Matt and Holly take three minutes to introduce their new collaboration- The Digital Learning Podcast meant to inspire educational leaders and future thinking teachers to find their blended learning genius.