Category: Topic Reflections

I really appreciated the EdCamp class today. In small groups, we discussed different subjects related to education. There were a few conversation options to join; if I recall correctly, there was EdTech and Phys Ed, outdoor education, the place of cellphones in schools, and two others.

I chose to discuss nature-based education, and we had great conversations. We talked about how more and more schools are integrating outdoor classrooms and how important and beneficial this can be. A simple change of environment, as well as breathing fresh air and getting some movement, can have a big impact on students’ motivation, focus, and interest.

There are so many interesting activities that can be done outside, from simple day-to-day tasks like correcting work or completing worksheets, to lessons focused on ecosystems, nature, and the environment.

There are also some challenges to take into consideration:

• Some schools might not have outdoor space available, especially if other classes are already outside.
• Some schools might be in busy areas where going outside could be counterproductive. If honks, sirens, and traffic are right next to the school, the noise might overstimulate students and pull them away from the main objective: learning.
• Some schools might have strict restrictions about bringing students outside, especially if the school is in a dangerous area, or if some students are at risk of running away (lived experience!).
• For language arts teachers/music/PE teachers (any teachers who only see elementary students occasionally), the transition of going outside on a whim, especially with younger students, might take up too much of the short amount of time they have with their class.
• For out-of-school activities, even something as simple as walking to a park, teacher-student ratios might prevent classes from leaving, especially in younger grades where the required ratio is lower.

But in general, we strongly agreed that nature should be included in school as much as possible!

I truly appreciated Cari Wilson’s visit in our class; she was factual and able to give arguments both for and against the use of AI in classrooms. I really enjoyed the ethical dilemma conversation, because it pushes you to think about real issues that, as teachers, we’ll have to discuss with colleagues, students, parents, and ourselves!

This class was more than two weeks ago (we’ve been busy!), and here are the conversations that really stuck with me:

Use of AI with elementary and middle school students

I shared in class that I have a pretty strong stance on using AI in elementary and middle school. As an adult who uses AI, I’m extremely aware of its potential cognitive dangers. The only thing that seems to keep me “safe” is the fact that I spent 14 years in school without it. I learned how to develop patience, critical thinking, creativity, and, most importantly, how to write. I couldn’t just ask ChatGPT to correct my mistakes. I had to understand what my mistakes were.

Students will use AI at home, with their friends, and in their free time; to me, school is where they should balance that out. Honestly, even after this class, my opinion on that didn’t really change. However, I really appreciated how Cari highlighted the importance of AI education. That part I completely agree with. It’s important to make sure students know AI’s limits, its environmental impacts, the existence of deep fakes, and how to use AI appropriately; something we’re all still slowly figuring out.

Homework

Kind of unrelated to AI, but it came up in our conversation and I really liked it. Cari also talked about how much homework students get and how she tries to make hers relational and applicable. She tries to have students spend that time helping their parents at home or having conversations with them, and then she translates those experiences into pedagogical learning. It’s a concept I definitely want to research more in depth, because I found it really interesting.

Guidelines

She also emphasized how important it is to know the guidelines for AI use in our school district. I don’t have much more to say about that, but it’s something that’s really important to keep in mind.

Using AI as a teacher

The other big conversation we had, the one that raised concern in some, excitement in others, and a mix of everything in most, was about teachers using AI. Again, even though AI has existed for years, the AI we know now and its possibilities are relatively new, and especially, constantly growing. It’s really hard to have a firm opinion on how much teachers should use it. I talked with a teacher who said it feels like cheating. I get that. But I also feel that, even though the endless tools, apps, and websites are extremely overwhelming, AI has the potential to make teaching so much better: more adaptable, more creative, more interactive.

I can hardly imagine having time to think through all the adaptations a “perfect” classroom would have, on top of teaching students and having a life; family, partner, friends, going to the gym, being outside, going on weekend getaways, and watching a TV show at night. You see where I’m going with this: having a balanced life. I see AI as something that could help teachers be the teacher they want to be, in the classroom they want, while still having that balance.

The thing is, some extremely brilliant people are going to have to figure out how to make all this happen without destroying the environment… or maybe today’s kids will have to find a way. I thought the little boy’s idea of having the AI computer in a bubble in the ocean was so adorable, and honestly, kind of brilliant (maybe?).

What a great speaker Jesse Miller was! The class was not only really interesting, but also super applicable to teachers. A few things he said really stuck with me; here are a few, although I definitely forgot many more:

• I really appreciated how he discussed people’s responses to things that happen online (and honestly, in life). He pointed out how often, instead of actually helping, people further victimize the victim. Sad, but true. And I feel like we’ve all been that person at some point. It’s a good reminder to be careful about such behaviours.

• I also liked how he talked about going back to the “why”. Why someone started doing something before the “hate” showed up. Back to what made them happy, and reflecting on how that affects their self-esteem.

• Something that terrified me from the start is how realistic AI videos can be. I’ve thought a lot about the dangers of AI in terms of laziness, environment, and long-term employment, but I hadn’t considered how scary it is that we might not be able to tell what’s real anymore. And that matters for, like he said, young girls comparing themselves to someone, a someone who might not even exist.

• Another thought-provoking point, and it really was relatable for me, was that for some people (teachers, or principals specifically), high school feels like the safest place in the world, so their decisions are shaped by that belief. I relate, because I naturally think the same about elementary/middle schools, where I aim to work, which gives me a bit of a blind spot to the tough reality that schools and classrooms aren’t always safe. Honestly, I wouldn’t have even thought about keeping phones in class for the purpose of calling for help or recording inappropriate behavior.

• Another line that stuck with me: “We don’t learn when we are going through a crisis,” referring to taking a teen’s phone away. I asked what he’d do instead, and he mentioned using phone breaks and promising them after a set amount of time if everyone stays off their phones; leaning on accountability, which is so much more valuable to teach than punishment.

• His talk also gave me the idea that when I have my own classroom, I’ll ask parents if there are reasons their child should have a phone at school. I think this is especially useful in middle school, but it’s worth considering at every age.

In short, Jesse was incredibly insightful and knowledgeable, and I really appreciated him coming into our class and shining a light on these topics.

Oh and that photo of me from earlier? That person does not exist.