It’s easy to get dismissive about educational theory. I’ve heard teachers say “Don’t bother with the theory. Just focus on practical strategies.” But when done well, theory can provide a roadmap and framework we can use. It can be a nuanced dialogue that cuts to... The post Using AI to Bridge the Gap from Theory to Practice appeared first on John Spencer.

Cognitive atrophy happens any time we lose the ability to engage in a mental process due to inactivity. In a world of Artificial Intelligence, we need to be cognizant of the dangers of cognitive atrophy so that we can continue to engage in curiosity, creativity,... The post How to Prevent AI from Doing All the Thinking appeared first on John Spencer.

In my latest episode, Grace Hawthorne, author of Make Possibilities Happen, shares practical insights into how to spark creativity in students. She has a wealth of knowledge and shares key insights throughout this episode. Listen to the Podcast If you enjoy this blog but you’d... The post Grace Hawthorne on How to Make Possibilities Happen appeared first on John Spencer.

Terms like “game-changing” and “disruptive” have become cliche in technology circles. As educators, we’ve seen the hype of 1:1 devices, paperless classrooms, interactive whiteboards, and a host of different education fads. However, AI feels different. We are living in a cultural moment where generative AI... The post Rethinking Information Literacy in an Age of AI appeared first on John Spencer.

When I was in my second year of teacher, I wanted so badly to implement PBL. This, despite the fact that I didn’t know the term “project-based learning.” I simply knew that I wanted students to engage in meaningful projects where they learn the content... The post Making Time for Project-Based Learning (PBL) appeared first on John Spencer.

A few years ago, I met a chef and asked him, “So, bay leaves? Do they even have a point? You can’t taste them. You have to take them out. They seem to get in the way.” He shook his head and said, “Nah, it’s... The post What Are the Bay Leaves of Education? appeared first on John Spencer.

Deliberate practice and deliberate skill are two different approaches to developing skills. One is more structured and the other is more connective. One is more targeted and efficient while other other is more connective and holistic. While it’s easy to view these as opposing approaches,... The post Deliberate Practice or Deliberate Play? appeared first on John Spencer.

The explosion of generative AI has created significant challenges and sparked new opportunities for our students. So, how do we decide when students should and should not use AI? In this article and podcast, I explore seven key areas you might consider as you craft... The post When Should Students Use Artificial Intelligence? Seven Keys to Consider appeared first on John Spencer.

In this article and podcast, we explore what it means to shift from a focus on learning disabilities to focusing on learning differences. What does it mean to embrace neurodiversity and help students find their hidden potential connected to their neurological diversity? How can we... The post Understanding Neurodiversity: An Empowered View of Learning Differences appeared first on John Spencer.

In my latest podcast episode, I interview Samantha Marsden, who shares how drama and improve strategies can help students gain creative confidence, improve their communication skills, and engage in iterative thinking. Her new book Acting Games for Improv is out and I highly recommend it.... The post Sam Marsden on the Value of Improv Games to Spark Creative Thinking appeared first on John Spencer.

In this week’s podcast episode, I talk to Ian Clawson about creative collaboration. In this interview, I ask him about tools for co-creation and what it looks like to create a culture where people give one another vital creative feedback. He has a book he... The post Ian Clawson on the Power of Co-Creation and Creativity appeared first on John Spencer.

Our students will inhabit an unpredictable world. With machine learning and other advanced forms of AI, students will need to become really good at what AI can’t do and really different with what can do. They will need to be adaptable as they navigate the... The post 7 Tips for Getting Started with Student Choice in the Classroom appeared first on John Spencer.

In this episode, Betsy Potash shares how to use hexagonal thinking to improve classroom discussions. She walks you through some of the potential applications at various grade levels with different subject areas. Listen to the Podcast If you enjoy this blog but you’d like to... The post Betsy Potash Shares How to Use Hexagonal Thinking to Improve Discussions appeared first on John Spencer.

When I was a senior in high school, our AP Government teacher chose not to give us a final exam for the end of the first semester. Instead, we would create our own portfolios. Our portfolios had to include what we had learned and what... The post Getting Started with Student Portfolio Projects appeared first on John Spencer.

I’ve often written about the power of a launch. However, there’s also a place for self-initiated creative work where students engage in creativity with an “audience of one.” Here, they experience the permission to try experiment and work through multiple iterations. They find their creative... The post Beyond the Audience: Why Students Need to Embrace Self-Initiated Creativity appeared first on John Spencer.

In this week’s episode I interview Cara Zelas, the founder of Big World of Little Dude. Together we explore the crucial topics of emotional support dogs in schools, social-emotional learning, and enhancing student soft skills. Join us as we delve into practical strategies and the... The post Cara Zelas on SEL, Emotional Support Dogs, and the Big World of Little Dude appeared first on John Spencer.

Over the last year, I’ve had the opportunity to work with educators who are incorporating generative A.I. into their classroom practice. Whether it’s working with the pre-service teachers at my university or in working with current teachers in the workshops and professional development I lead,... The post The FACTS Cycle for Prompt Engineering appeared first on John Spencer.

Embarking on a creative journey often feels like a leap into the unknown, with self-doubt lurking at every corner. In this article and podcast, we explore the gritty reality of learning a new creative skill. I share my own story of starting an apparel project... The post Ten Strategies to Crush Self-Doubt in Creative Work appeared first on John Spencer.

In this week’s episode, I interview Dr. Katie Novak. She shares the basics of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and how to make it work in a K-12 setting. I gained so many key insights from this interview and I hope you find it as... The post Katie Novak on How to Make Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Work in Your School appeared first on John Spencer.

For all the talk of students using Artificial Intelligence to cheat, we can easily miss the reality that A.I. has made differentiated instruction more feasible for educators. In this week’s article and podcast episode, I explore how we can leverage A.I. tools for differentiated instruction.... The post How to Use Generative A.I. to Design Better Scaffolds and Supports appeared first on John Spencer.

In this latest podcast episode, I talk to an expert in technology, information literacy, and education. Kristina Holzweiss shares her insights into how machine learning can improve outcomes and increase equity if we leverage it the right way. Listen to the Podcast If you enjoy... The post Kristina A. Holzweiss on How Librarians Can Leverage AI to Reach All Students appeared first on John Spencer.

A.I. is changing learning in profound ways. In this week’s podcast episode, I interview Sal Khan from Khan Academy. He shares his thoughts on how A.I. will impact personalized learning and what they are doing at Khan Academy with Khanmigo. Listen to the Podcast If... The post Sal Khan on A.I. and Personalized Learning appeared first on John Spencer.

In 2014, Microsoft launched a hugely successful A.I. 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 A.I. appeared first on John Spencer.

In this podcast episode, I interview educator and author Jessica Lander. I really enjoyed her book Making Americans and the many lenses she uses in thinking about innovation within immigrant education. More than anything, she is human-focused and centers the thinking in stories from the... The post Jessica Lander on Innovative Approaches to Immigrant Education appeared first on John Spencer.