Artificial Intelligence [AI]

SXSW EDU 2026

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At SXSW EDU 2026, in March, I had the pleasure of moderating our panel “Educating Minds: Critical Thinking for the AI Generation.”

I was joined by an outstanding panel: C. Edward Watson, Michelle Singh, Ph.D. Singh, and George Philip LeBourdais, PhD.

SXSW Edu Panel

C. Edward Watson, Michelle Singh, Ph.D. Singh, and George Philip LeBourdais, PhD.

Listening from the moderator’s chair, several strategies emerged for higher education as AI becomes embedded in teaching & learning:

*Develop a shared vocabulary for AI literacy so faculty, administrators, and students are speaking the same language.
*Connect AI literacy to critical thinking, not just as tool use-by helping students examine both the outputs AI produces and the systems creating them.
*Include student voice as institutions design coherent approaches to AI use and learning.
*Help students move from passive consumption to active critique of AI-generated content.
*Encourage cross-disciplinary thinking about AI, helping students understand how AI operates differently across fields—from the humanities to STEM to professional programs.
*Create spaces for dialogue and inquiry where students unpack AI outputs together.

AI may be new, but our goal remain timeless: helping students think critically about the information they encounter—and create.
SXSWEDU AIinEducation HigherEducation CriticalThinking

Our Panel-Educating Minds: Critical Thinking for the AI Generation

Our Panel-Educating Minds: Critical Thinking for the AI Generation

 

 

Zoe & Pip’s Five Sparks

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You might be interested in this little project I created for my partner’s granddaughter-Zoe-who just turned 2.
I had read the book, Open for Work written by Ryan Roslansky and Aneesh Rama  and was so interested in the human skills that AI can’t yet replicate: curiosity, creativity, communication, compassion & courage. I wondered how I could work with AI to create a story, make a book and design some interactive games that Zoe could learn while she was being read to.
Here’s a quick video that explains how I made Zoe & Pip’s Five Sparks.

Inside the front cover is a QR code that can be scanned to an audio recording of me reading the book. Zoe likes to hear my voice reading to her along with her parents.  The illustrations were based on pics of Zoe and the rest were iterated with me directing ChatGPT.
It was fun to pull together.

New Jobs Working with Artificial Intelligence [AI]

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Robert Capps writes for the New York Times and published this article about new jobs artificial intelligence could give us. As a designer I found the jobs under the article’s sub head Taste of interest. Designers straddle the worlds of what is and what could be and are needed to help bring ideas to life.  Capps suggests Differentiation Designers might soon work  to combine branding, philosophy, product risk tolerance and creative execution. I envision myself as a Differentiation Designer as I strive to push colleagues in thinking about AI in innovative and creative ways. We in higher education owe it to our students to continuously focus on ways to incorporate AI ethically and equitably into our teaching and our students’ learning.

 

AI as a Co-Author: The Making of ‘Uplift Your Teaching’ with ChatGPT

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Exciting news for educators! I’m thrilled to share my latest project, Uplift Your Teaching: Empowering Educators – Insights and Inspirations to Transform Your Teaching, a book I co-authored with the help of ChatGPT 4.0. As a director of instructional innovation, I understand that teaching is more than just imparting knowledge; it’s about continuous learning, profound insights, and shaping future generations.

This book is packed with daily inspirations, thoughts, and motivational insights, all designed to support educators at every level – from K-16 teachers in various settings to those in 2-year and 4-year institutions. It’s the result of blending my experiences in higher education with the advanced capabilities of ChatGPT 4.0, aiming to address the unique challenges and triumphs in teaching.

“Uplift Your Teaching” is more than just a read; it’s a journey and a testament to our dedication to education and personal growth. It’s about making a difference not just academically, but in the lives of our students. Enriched by the collaborative intelligence of ChatGPT 4.0, this book is a source of support and encouragement, reminding us of the invaluable nature of our work.

How to dive in? The book is designed for daily use, starting any day of the year. Each entry comes with a reflective question to prompt your thoughts. There’s no better time to begin this journey than now.

Download your copy today and join me in transforming the way we teach and learn!

Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA)