AI to Save Time #EdChat

There have been plenty of articles and posts on the use of AI in the classroom. I think there are lots of people that are asking important questions about using AI. The most common question I have received is how AI can save them time. 

Time is the biggest thing that can be given back with the use of AI. This year, I have been put in charge of technology coaching for all three divisions of my school. PreK12 support for one person can be tough. That has me supporting all of the students and all of the teachers. Simply, there is not enough time for me to help everyone and teach my classes and support my 6th grade advisory. I needed to think of something that can help me save time. AI can step in and give me time back. 

What I have done is create a Sidekick using SchoolAI that can help students and teachers with low level tech support to solve some of those simpler issues that would normally take time. Having students or teachers do some of the quick fixes with support from AI can save me minutes here and there. Those minutes add up and can allow me to meet with one extra teacher a day. That is a huge deal when you take a step back and think about what that means for the big picture. 1 teacher a day does not seem like much, but 20 teachers a month is a nice number. 

AI is not designed to solve all of our ills in education. It is meant to help start the creative process. It can give teachers the extra few minutes that can be used to make a difference. Don't be scared of AI, think of it as another tool to let you do the things that matter most. 

This is the example I created using SchoolAI to help save some time for students and teachers. 

Hugs and High Fives, 

The Nerdy Teacher

September Challenge from @AdobeforEdu #AdobeEduCreative

Hello everyone! I'm excited to share the September Challenge from Adobe for Education. This is a fun little project that showcases the power of GenAI. You are going to instruct GenAI in Adobe Express to create a bobblehead version of yourself using the template connected to the link below. 

I will be using this with my students for our first class exploring Adobe Express. It is a fun way to get to know students and to give them a chance to play around with GenAI in Adobe Express before I assign other work over the course of the trimester. 

Start by following this link, adobe.ly/4dQfz7e, and make one for yourself to showcase to the students. 

Here is what I created!

Be Brave #EdChat

I wanted to share a simple post at the start of the school year. This simple post has a very simple message, 

There is so much fear out there for teachers in the classroom. They are afraid to be who they really are. They are afraid to take that risk and do that lesson that they think can make important connections for their students. There is fear to ask admin permission to try something new for the school. The world is a scary place and schools are reflecting that scariness more and more each year. It would be easy to sit and hide for the school year, but standing up and being brave can make a world of difference. Being Brave will look different for everyone. We shouldn't judge the small or large acts of bravery that teachers will show during the course of the year. Instead, we should applaud them for trying. Even if it fails, they got up and tried. I have this quote from Teddy Roosevelt in my room that really sums up my feelings on this, 

Credit: Me Made with Adobe Express

I hope everyone can find the way to Be Brave and do that thing or those things that can make the classroom or school a little better for everyone. 

Hugs and High Fives, 

NP

Unsolicited Back to School Advice #EdChat

Unsolicited Back to School Advice

Created with DALL-E

It is that time of year again where teachers all over the country are getting ready to head back to their classrooms. Some are heading to their very first classroom. It can be a scary time for new and veteran teachers. There might be new admin in place, a new curriculum, might be rolling out, or a host of other things that can up the anxiety level. With all of that in mind, I thought I would share some unsolicited advice that might help any teacher get through the back to school butterflies. 

1. Focus on what you can control

The most important thing when it comes to back to school jitters is focusing on what you can control. You cannot control the new admin, or the new procedures in place for dealing with tardy students, or the broken stall in the bathroom from last year that is still not fixed despite multiple work orders having been submitted. You can control the way your classroom looks, the welcoming environment that students feel when they walk through the doorway. You can control the bulletin boards, and flexible seating. You can control how you greet the students at the door for each class. There are so many things you cannot control that can drive anxiety levels, up, but, there are so many thinks you do control in your classroom that help create an amazing learning experience for your students. Focusing on those will help kick the year off in the right direction. 

2. Note important school dates on your calendar

Hopefully your school releases a calendar that has all of the important dates marked. These should be school breaks, PD days, testing dates, etc. Mark these down in your calendar or plan-book (Do people still use teacher planners?) so you are not surprised later on when a lesson needs to be cut short or interrupted by a week of testing. This is also nice if you plan to take some of your personal days and you need to plan around school events. Make sure to check your school policy on using personal/sick days. If you are in a school that has a use them or lose them policy, keep that in mind throughout the year. Mental health is important and you need to make sure you use your days to support physical AND mental health issues. If you can help yourself, how will you be able to help others? Mark all of the important dates in your calendar so you will not be shocked later in the year. 

3. If your new, find out who does what and write it down

Being new to a building is tough for lots of reasons. You are hit over the head with the new teacher training and you can easily be overwhelmed with all of the new information being tossed your way. If you are not give a list of names with phone numbers, emails, and jobs, it is important to create your own. You should create a quick cheat sheet that has the name, numbers, and emails of the people in charge of various parts of the school. Administrators, office assistants, maintenance, school counselor, school nurse, etc. Anybody that you might need to call quickly or email. Most importantly, ask a veteran teacher how to get certain things done. Sometimes there are proper channels of getting things done and there are ways to get things done quickly. You only learn these things through experience, so connect with those who have it so you can learn it. I learned that one of the office assistants loved pumpernickel bagels. Whenever I got bagels for class or for the department, I would get one for her and drop it off at her desk. My forms were always processed quickly when dropped off throughout the year. Sometimes a little grease can get the wheels moving. I learned that from a veteran teacher after a couple of years. 

4. If you are a returning veteran teacher, keep an eye out for the newbies

There are going to be some bright eyed teachers stepping into the building for the first time with lots of crazy ideas of what teaching is going to look like for them. It is important to adopt these younglings and help guide them through the process so they do not burn out and you are forced to start the hiring process all over again. Provide them with the wisdom you wish you received as a new teacher or did receive thanks to an awesome veteran teacher. You might be thinking, "Am I a veteran teacher" and the answer is probably yes. It seems to have happened over night, but you are a veteran teacher now. I usually say if you can make it past the 5 year mark, you finally understand that you don't know everything and can start to learn and share with those around you. Find those teachers that need the support and help them be successful. 

5. Focus on growth

The last thing I want to share is the value of embracing the mistakes you are going to make. They are going to happen and you need to be ok with that. More specifically, learn from the mistakes and look to be better next time. Connect with a veteran teacher and talk about the mistake. Focus on growth this year. Whether you are new or a returning vet, by focusing on growth, you can be better. That is what we want for our students, so we should model that for ourselves. Every single teacher is on their own personal journey that makes them who they are in the classroom and as a person. If everyone is focused on growth and helping those around us with their growth, we can all be better in ways that make the entire school better for everyone. 

I know you did not ask for this advice and there are plenty of other things I could share with you, but I wanted to keep this short and sweet and let you explore the different ways to manage the back to school butterflies. Teaching can be tough, but it has an amazing community that is ready to support any teacher looking for help. Never be afraid to say, "I don't know" as long as it is followed up with, "but let's find out". You've got this, so go an make the 2024/2025 school year the best one yet.