AI represents both a dream and a warning for education. On one hand, it offers personalized feedback, instant support, and creative possibilities that can make learning more dynamic than ever. On the other, it tempts us toward speed over depth, efficiency over understanding, and convenience... The post Using AI to Spark Deeper Learning appeared first on Spencer Education.

When I was a new teacher, I had a goal of differentiating instruction for every student. I would provide additional directions, project sheets, tutorials, and small group instruction for any student who needed help. I kept a list of specific strategies I would use in... The post Empowering Students to Self-Select the Scaffolds appeared first on Spencer Education.

In 2014, Microsoft launched a hugely successful AI bot named Xiaoice in China. With over forty million conversations, users often described feeling as though they were interacting with a real human. Microsoft founder Bill Gates described it this way, “’Xiaoice has attracted 45 million followers... The post Students Need to Explore the Nature of AI appeared first on Spencer Education.

We keep talking about AI in schools like it is either a miracle or a menace, and that either-or mindset steers us into two dead ends. One path hands the wheel to the tool and mistakes novelty for real learning. The other path locks everything... The post Rethinking How We Use AI for Writing appeared first on Spencer Education.

Collaboration is one of the most powerful forces in learning. Yet it can also be one of the hardest things to cultivate. Too often, students struggle to share ideas, listen to one another, or take creative risks. At the center of this struggle is something... The post The Surprising Element for Empowering Your Students in Collaboration appeared first on Spencer Education.

As the year begins, we are all thinking about the idea of building a classroom community. Although I am no longer at the K-12 level, I am reminded of the power of community as I think about the cohort I lead that’s now in their... The post 10 Creative Risks to Take With Your Students This Year appeared first on John Spencer.

Every year, we hear news reports about the “summer slide,” or the summer learning loss. Students arrive to school behind where they left off in May or June. This is a real challenge. But there’s more to the story. So, in this week’s article, I... The post How Deeper Learning Can Address Summer Learning Loss appeared first on John Spencer.

Machine learning is changing our world in profound ways. It will impact the way we learn and the way we teach. In today’s article and podcast, I want share a few big ideas on what that might look like. I’ll share some questions we might... The post How Will AI Transform the Teaching Profession? Four Trends to Consider appeared first on John Spencer.

Throughout this summer, I’ve had the opportunity to lead professional development on ethical AI integration throughout the United States. In some cases, it’s been a keynote and customized sessions. In other cases, it’s been a deep dive 1-3 day workshop. The audience has ranged from... The post Back to School in the Age of AI appeared first on John Spencer.

When AJ Juliani and I co-wrote the book Empower, we focused on the ways that students could own the learning process. It’s the core idea of shifting from being teacher-centered toward being more student-centered. We often talk about what it means to move from compliance... The post Six Ways to Empower Students to Own the Classroom Community appeared first on John Spencer.