On March 11th, I had the privilege to attend and present at EdTechTeacher’s AI in EDU Summit at Bentley University in Massachusetts. It’s been quite some time since I’ve presented in person at a conference, and let me tell you, I’ve certainly missed the adrenaline rush and camaraderie of in-person back-and-forth conversations.

The day was a whirlwind, and there was so much to take in! I wish there was a way for me to clone myself because I wanted to attend everything. But since that wasn’t an option, I can only provide a limited review of my time there. So I hope that I do justice to the many amazing educators I had the chance to talk with and learn from.

Here are my take-aways from the day:

Schools and districts need an AI Policy.

More importantly, this policy needs to be crafted with the voices of all stakeholders AND be flexible enough to be revised as AI platforms and capabilities change over time.

Student learning outcomes need to drive AI use.

Aside from the many useful, innovative, and enlightening uses of AI in the classroom for teaching and learning, it is important to make sure that learning objectives drive the what, how, and why of technology integration. It’s equally imperative that educators look at student learning to see to what extent AI is helping students to engage in deeper learning as opposed to superficial knowledge.

Be curious and not judgmental.

Okay, I totally stole that from Ted Lasso. But it’s true. AI tools can evoke a sense of excitement but also dread — sometimes both at the same time. I encourage everyone to be open to the possibilities of how AI can help level the playing field for teachers and students across demographics, regions, and socio-economic levels. I acknowledge that there are legitimate concerns with using AI (first and foremost, student privacy), but let’s begin these conversations of AI use with an open mind and sense of wonder.

Don’t be afraid to pivot.

I can’t be the only one who was thinking one way about AI (in general) or a particular AI tool only to change my mind when more information became available. With the many AI tools and platforms available (and emerging), it is very likely that your opinion on the value of that tool for teaching and learning will change with product updates, regular use, and/or shifting priorities for student learning. My advice? Keep the conversations flowing and recognize that opinions will fluctuate with the ever-changing landscape and reach of AI.

There are so many different perspectives when it comes to AI use and the projected impact of AI for teaching and learning. But what I keep coming back to is the fact AI is a tool. It’s a medium for learning. It’s not a silver bullet. What is going to move the needle in terms of improving student outcomes is creating meaningful learning experiences grounded in research-based best practices with measurable metrics. Period.

References

Driscoll, T., & McCusker. S. (2024). Crafting AI policy for schools: A step-by-step guide [Webinar]. https://youtu.be/lxu1WS5ojzs?si=_QCot72pDDfe5xB7

Holland, B. (2025). Is it working? Building an evidence base to inform AI initiatives [Presentation]. AI in EDU Summit. Bentley University, MA.

The post Reflecting on the 2025 AI in EDU Summit appeared first on EdTechTeacher.

Join EdTechTeacher for live PD and exciting project ideas for your classroom and students!

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Introduction to Adobe Express

August 1, at 3:30pm ET | 2:30 MT 1:30 MT 12:30 PT

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Generative AI in the Classroom

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Introduction to Adobe Express (for Back to School)

August 13 at  3:30pm ET | 2:30 MT 1:30 MT 12:30 PT

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Visible Thinking Routines with Adobe Express

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Of all the challenges that AI tools can help teachers address, differentiation and lesson design is at (or at least near) the top of the list!  During all of my recent AI-themed professional development workshops, teachers are impressed with how simple AI prompts (i.e. the questions / tasks you enter into an AI chatbot) can generative such a wide variety of quality instructional strategies, project ideas and more.  

“The Bloom’s Prompt”

A teacher favorite is what I call the “Bloom’s Prompt.”  For those that need a quick refresher on Bloom’s Taxonomy, check out this resource from Vanderbilt University’s Center for Coaching)  It is a fairly simple process.  Using the template below, customize the prompt based upon your instructional topic, competency or learning goal.  Then, enter the prompt into your AI tool of choice (Ex. ChatGPT, Gemini, CoPilot).

“Generate a Bloom’s taxonomy for students learning [insert topic, skill, competency].”

Using Gemini, this prompt generated the following:

As you can see in the output above, the prompt generated a relatively comprehensive list of objectives across all six cognitive processes of Bloom’s Taxonomy.  

Refining Your Prompt To Enhance Results

Like any other AI prompt, more specificity results in higher quality content.  Consider adding the following elements to the core prompt above.

1. Add your role. (ex. “You are a teacher/curriculum designer with experience developing lessons and assessments.”)
2. Add the grade level and subject area. 
3. Add the number of examples you want (ex. 5) and the format. (Ex. paragraph or list)
4. Ask the chatbot to provide more specific examples or differentiation for one (or more) of the listed objectives. 

If you are new to AI prompts to help with lesson design, this is a great place to start.  Give it a try!  For those that have more experience with AI prompts, try adding even more specificity and pushing the boundaries for how deep and complex the lesson design output can go. Good luck and let me know how it goes! (@TomDriscollEDU on the socials…)

Want to learn more about AI prompts and much more from our world-class instructors?  Join us for our new 2024 EdTechTeacher Summer Learning Pass!  Learn more and register at www.edtechteacher.org.

The post How to Use Bloom’s Taxonomy AI Prompts for Lesson Design appeared first on EdTechTeacher.

What is Be An Author Month?

March is synonymous with literacy – we’ve got National Reading Month, Listening Awareness Month, and even National March into Literacy Month! So let’s inspire our students to embrace their creativity, articulate their thoughts, and harness the strength of their voice.

Want to know how?

It’s all about being authentic. Kids love becoming authors – creating a book is a tangible thing that anyone can relate to. And when students know their work is going to be viewed beyond the classroom, they put in extra effort. So let’s turn your learners (and maybe even yourselves) into published authors through reading, writing, speaking, and listening activities across all subjects.

This year Be An Author Month is about Finding, Refining, and Recording your VOICE to share your amazing stories. There are multiple ways of sharing your voice – you can write, draw, code, film a video, record your voice – you decide. Let’s get creative and AppSmash together!

Why we’re supporting Be An Author Month

We are proud to support Be An Author Month alongside Book Creator as it aligns perfectly with your mission to empower individuals in their educational journey. Recognizing the transformative power of storytelling, this initiative encourages creativity and fosters a love for writing among learners of all ages. By endorsing Be An Author Month, we aim to inspire and nurture the next generation of authors, providing them with a platform to express their ideas and perspectives.

And as students grow into confident storytellers, there’s a parallel lesson woven quietly into the process: building a life requires both imagination and a solid foundation. Whether someone dreams of publishing a book, pursuing higher education, or carving their own path, certain practical supports remain essential no matter the direction. At some point in that broader journey, looking for cheap insurance quotes becomes part of securing the kind of stability that allows creativity to flourish without fear of life’s inevitable surprises.

Because nurturing a mind is only half the work—protecting the life around it ensures that every student, every writer, and every emerging author has the freedom to dream boldly and keep writing their story with confidence.

How to take part in Be An Author Month

Head over to the Book Creator website to get started – you’ll find:

• Templates to help with reading and writing
• An Activity Journal for something to do for every day in March
• Inspirational webinars to motivate and inform you
• A special collaborative project for the whole world to participate in!

Click this link to get started now!

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The EdTechTeacher AI in Edu Summit is dedicated to exploring the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence in education. As we embark on this journey together, it is imperative to recognize that our discussion extends far beyond the realm of chatbots and digital tools. Artificial Intelligence has become an indispensable force that extends its reach into areas that profoundly impact our lives, and more importantly, the lives of our students.

Consider this: AI algorithms can now detect breast cancer tumors with a precision that rivals, and in some instances, surpasses the capabilities of trained medical professionals. Across the West Coast, AI is tirelessly at work identifying potential hazards, such as wild fires, before they can be recorded by human observers. Moreover, AI technologies are optimizing traffic flow by dynamically adjusting traffic lights, not only saving time but also contributing significantly to energy conservation and cost reduction.

In the face of this ever-changing world, educators find themselves at a crossroads. The landscape of education is evolving rapidly, and it is incumbent upon us to not only understand but also deeply value the capabilities that AI brings to the table. The summit serves as a rallying point for us to reflect on our teaching practices and recognize the imperative to adapt. As stewards of knowledge and architects of the future, we must ensure that our students are not just equipped with the skills of today but are ready to navigate the challenges of tomorrow.

Inspiring Education through AI Innovation

We encourage administrators, school leaders, and dedicated educators to join us in exploring the frontiers of AI in education. Together, let’s delve into its potential, address its challenges, and collectively strive to shape an educational landscape that prepares students for the dynamic and technologically advanced future that lies ahead. Let us embark on this journey of discovery and transformation, where knowledge meets innovation, and education meets the future.

Throughout the summit, we are excited to offer engaging workshops that focus on the changes needed in education. Our sessions will address the evolving role of educators in an AI-driven world. We will explore innovative teaching methodologies, time-saving tips, and curriculum enhancements that harness the power of AI to cultivate critical thinking and problem-solving skills in our students.

Furthermore, our workshops will provide valuable insights into the tools that can be instrumental for teachers. From AI-driven educational platforms to collaborative learning environments, we aim to equip you with the knowledge and skills necessary to integrate these tools seamlessly into your classrooms.  We will also discuss how students can use AI responsively.

Join us in exploring the frontiers of AI in education. For more details on all our speakers and sessions for the AI in Edu Summit, check out the webpage on our website. Register now and mark your calendar. We will see you at Bentley University in Waltham, MA on March 11th, 2024.

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