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00:00:00 --> 00:00:05 Welcome to Your Morning Boost, your daily leadership advice to help you lead your school community.
00:00:05 --> 00:00:09 Brought to you by AWB Education and sponsored by Grundmeyer Leader Services,
00:00:10 --> 00:00:14 where together we are transforming education, one leader at a time.
00:00:14 --> 00:00:18 Now here's your host, Adam Bush. Good morning, school leaders.
00:00:18 --> 00:00:21 Welcome back to Your Morning Boost. We are going to hit the middle of our week
00:00:21 --> 00:00:23 strong on this Wednesday, June 4th.
00:00:23 --> 00:00:28 And speaking of incredible tools, did you know that June 4th is National Cheese Day.
00:00:28 --> 00:00:33 It's a fun and cheesy reminder, sorry about that, that sometimes the best things
00:00:33 --> 00:00:36 in life and our classrooms come in many different forms.
00:00:37 --> 00:00:40 This entire week, we're going to continue this deep dive into the articles that
00:00:40 --> 00:00:44 are featured in the Finning 5 newsletter by Grunmeier Leader Services, our show's sponsor.
00:00:45 --> 00:00:48 Today, we're going to step into the rapidly evolving world of technology.
00:00:48 --> 00:00:52 It's an article from Larry Ferlazzo's blog, This Week's Free,
00:00:52 --> 00:00:57 Useful Artificial Intelligence Tools for the Classroom. This piece isn't just about the latest tech.
00:00:57 --> 00:01:02 It's about how school leaders can guide their teachers and integrate AI as a
00:01:02 --> 00:01:06 powerful practical tool that will engage learning and streamline classroom practices,
00:01:06 --> 00:01:10 which will ultimately benefit both educators and students.
00:01:14 --> 00:01:18 Now, Larry's article and others like it that Larry constantly publishes,
00:01:18 --> 00:01:20 by the way, he has a lot of really good stuff out there.
00:01:20 --> 00:01:24 But this article, it includes multiple links to other articles and other fantastic
00:01:24 --> 00:01:27 resources for educators looking to harness the power of AI.
00:01:27 --> 00:01:31 For us as school leaders, it's not just about knowing what tools are out there.
00:01:32 --> 00:01:36 It's also about understanding how to strategically approach AI integration in
00:01:36 --> 00:01:39 our schools and our districts, for that matter, and programs.
00:01:39 --> 00:01:43 Anything that's going to support teaching and learning and prepare our students for the future.
00:01:44 --> 00:01:47 To be honest, it's important for us as school leaders to embrace and understand
00:01:47 --> 00:01:51 articles like this so we really understand how AI can impact us.
00:01:51 --> 00:01:55 Because let's face it, AI is here and it is evolving fast. And as leaders,
00:01:55 --> 00:01:57 it is our job to stay informed.
00:01:57 --> 00:01:59 And we need to help our teams do the same.
00:02:00 --> 00:02:05 Larry's articles are fantastic. These cut through the noise and highlight useful free tools.
00:02:05 --> 00:02:10 Free, that's right. This means we can genuinely empower our teachers with resources
00:02:10 --> 00:02:13 that save them time on things like lesson planning, differentiation.
00:02:14 --> 00:02:18 Giving feedback, which is going to allow them to focus on the human connection in the classroom.
00:02:18 --> 00:02:22 I remember watching a video in the early, I think it was 2000s,
00:02:22 --> 00:02:27 explaining that as teachers, we are preparing students for jobs that didn't even exist yet.
00:02:27 --> 00:02:30 And I'll be honest, at that moment, that blew my mind.
00:02:30 --> 00:02:34 I mean, that's 25 years ago. I honestly think that it's even more true today.
00:02:34 --> 00:02:38 In my district this year, we introduced the concept of using AI to help offer
00:02:38 --> 00:02:43 strategies to differentiate lessons for various levels of English language proficiency
00:02:43 --> 00:02:44 for all of our EL students.
00:02:45 --> 00:02:48 I mean, why spend all of this time just beating our heads against a wall when
00:02:48 --> 00:02:50 AI can help guide us in the right direction?
00:02:50 --> 00:02:54 Needless to say, our presentation during our summer learning event was pretty
00:02:54 --> 00:02:57 much standing room only, and I understand why.
00:02:57 --> 00:03:01 And also, Larry's resources are more concrete examples of how to integrate this
00:03:01 --> 00:03:05 into the classroom. It just helps us move from abstract discussions about AI
00:03:05 --> 00:03:07 to actionable steps for our educators.
00:03:08 --> 00:03:11 And it's not just enough to introduce tools. We also need to provide a clear
00:03:11 --> 00:03:15 vision of how to use them effectively and also ethically.
00:03:16 --> 00:03:20 As leaders, we guide the conversation around AI's impact on teaching and learning,
00:03:20 --> 00:03:24 and we ensure that it enhances rather than replaces critical thinking.
00:03:25 --> 00:03:29 Because many of these tools are free, we can really champion equitable access
00:03:29 --> 00:03:33 across our schools, no matter what our budgets are, which will allow us to build
00:03:33 --> 00:03:36 those crucial digital literacy skills for everybody.
00:03:36 --> 00:03:39 Michael Fulman argues in his work, Cultures of Professional Learning,
00:03:39 --> 00:03:44 that technology can be a powerful accelerator, but only when coupled with strong
00:03:44 --> 00:03:47 pedagogical leadership and a clear purpose. And I think Michael's right here.
00:03:48 --> 00:03:51 By just consistently sharing valuable resources like this, we can create that
00:03:51 --> 00:03:54 environment where teachers feel safe to experiment and innovate.
00:03:54 --> 00:03:58 But we also know that leadership supports their exploration of effective tools.
00:03:58 --> 00:04:01 It sparks creativity in the classroom if it's done correctly.
00:04:02 --> 00:04:06 Now, while Larry's blog provides great tools, we're going to need more guidance
00:04:06 --> 00:04:10 on those systemic issues, like how to develop robust AI policies.
00:04:10 --> 00:04:13 What does that look like for academic integrity and data privacy?
00:04:13 --> 00:04:17 And also, how do we assess the effectiveness of AI integration at scale and
00:04:17 --> 00:04:21 how to provide ongoing differentiated professional development for teachers
00:04:21 --> 00:04:24 at their various stages of tech comfort?
00:04:24 --> 00:04:27 As much as this particular blog from Larry doesn't address those,
00:04:27 --> 00:04:30 some other ones do. So I would invite you to take a look at some of the stuff
00:04:30 --> 00:04:31 that Larry's got out there.
00:04:31 --> 00:04:35 And talk with your colleagues about ways to integrate this into your daily lives.
00:04:39 --> 00:04:43 Okay, to wrap up today, we have discussed how staying informed,
00:04:43 --> 00:04:47 empowering teachers with practical resources, and providing clear guidance on
00:04:47 --> 00:04:52 integration, all while fostering and promoting equitable access and a culture
00:04:52 --> 00:04:57 of innovation, these are all essential roles for us as school leaders in this wonderful age of AI.
00:04:57 --> 00:05:02 It's not about seeing AI as a threat, but seeing it as a powerful ally in our
00:05:02 --> 00:05:04 mission to enhance learning.
00:05:04 --> 00:05:07 Thanks for listening today. Hope you have a wonderful Wednesday.
00:05:07 --> 00:05:09 We will talk with you again tomorrow.
00:05:09 --> 00:05:13 You have been listening to Your Morning Boost by AWB Education in partnership
00:05:13 --> 00:05:15 with Grundmeyer Leader Services.
00:05:15 --> 00:05:20 You can find out more about our services by clicking on the links in the description.
00:05:20 --> 00:05:25 Remember, you are doing this vital job that only a few can do.
00:05:25 --> 00:05:29 So until next time, thank you for your service to your community.