From the Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis
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Today’s show is full of ideas — how to teach in today’s world based on the current research and the best thinking, an AI researcher who stays grounded in being human, and a set of practical tool tips from instructional coach Amy Storer. But all the tools in the world don’t matter if we don’t build our classrooms on a foundation of relationship. So here’s the throughline: the heart comes first, and then we pick the tools.
You’ll hear from Dr. Patricia Dickenson, author of Smart Teaching in the Age of AI, on teacher-driven instruction and using AI to plan, differentiate, and rethink how we assess. You’ll hear from Dr. Jie Tao, who leads Fairfield University’s AI & Technology Institute, on building AI out of compassion and using it without giving up control. And you’ll hear from Amy Storer on the tools teachers are most excited about right now. I think you’ll come away with lots of ideas, real insight into the tools educators are using today, and practical tips you can use tomorrow. Heart first, tools second.
A note: part of this episode touches on suicide and the research being done to detect and prevent it. If you or a student you love is struggling, you can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline anytime by calling or texting 988.
Listen to the Show
Key Takeaways for Teachers
From Dr. Patricia Dickenson — Teach heart-first, then let AI help
- Bring your authentic self into the room. Patricia’s design starts with the teacher’s gifts, energy, and lived experience — not just the standards. Her own fourth-grade teacher, Miss Santa Maria, showed up through chemo and shaped her for life. More is caught than taught.
- Use AI to plan, differentiate, and assess — without offloading your thinking. From custom GPTs that “unpack a standard” for a new teacher to analyzing 150 quizzes for skill gaps, AI can amplify a teacher’s work. Used the wrong way it’s a diminisher; used well, it’s an amplifier.
- Teach AI literacy, don’t ban the tools. Frameworks like UC Davis’s PAIRR keep writing human while using AI as a feedback partner. Students will use AI regardless — better that we teach them to use it wisely.
- Keep it balanced. A composite-shapes lesson became a ten-minute, AI-built city-skyline art project that still let her differentiate up to a seventh-grade standard. Put your toe in; mix it up.
From Dr. Jie Tao — Build (and use) AI out of compassion
- The best technology solves real human problems. Jie pledged to work only on research his own mother would care about — including a model to detect suicidal ideation and a free tool that summarizes medical research for patients.
- Stop “prompt and pray.” A consistent prompting structure beats hoping for a brilliant answer. The interview pattern (have the AI ask you questions) and a “scratchpad” that uses only the information you provide make AI far more reliable.
- Use agentic AI without giving up control. Jie defines the steps and gives the agent limited autonomy within each one — and cautions that fully autonomous agents still have “the memory of a goldfish.” Keep AI in a controlled environment; test it and try to break it before students touch it.
- It’s an “overconfident intern,” not Google. Knowledgeable but not always right. Understand what it can and cannot do, and step in to steer.
From Amy Storer — Coaching that clicks (and tools you can use tomorrow)
- Adobe Express keeps getting more classroom-ready. Create a Podcast (studio-quality, with an Enhance button to clean up hallway noise), Animate a Character, and Quick Actions like editing or merging PDFs — all in one place.
- Canva Code builds the interactive you imagine. Describe your “dream interactivity” (like a food-chain sorting game) and Canva AI → Code writes it for you — no coding required. Magic Studio handles background removal and more.
- Little time-savers add up. Press a number key in Canva presentation mode for a timer overlay; use Scribe to auto-generate step-by-step, screenshot-rich how-to guides for families and colleagues.
- Tools should lighten the load. “I’m team anything that saves teachers time.” Comfort and good policy help teachers move from worry to wise use.
About the Guests
Dr. Patricia Dickenson
Dr. Patricia Dickenson is a Professor of Teacher Education. She began her career as an elementary teacher, and taught middle school mathematics. Dr. Dickenson was also a Mathematics Coach for the Los Angeles Unified School District.
Dr. Dickenson has been a teacher training and consultant for Princeton Review, Harcourt Mathematics and Pearson. Dr. Dickenson is also a Cal TPA Assessor.
Dr. Dickenson’s work has focused on designing instruction, planning lessons, and assessment. She has expertise in technology integration, Universal Design for Learning, and Adult Learning Theory.
Connect:
Dr. Jie Tao
Jie Tao is a leading AI Educator and Instructional Designer, and the founding director of Fairfield Dolan’s AI & Tech Institute, specializing in translating complex AI concepts into practical business skills for non-technical leaders.
He designs and implements high-impact AI literacy curricula and strategic workshops for C-suite executives, as well as conducting academic research and practical consulting, designing agentic AI workflows and systems.
He is dedicated to demystifying artificial intelligence through a proprietary, hands-on methodology, and empowering professionals to lead with confidence and make smarter business decisions in the era of AI as an associate professor of analytics and the director of an international graduate program at Fairfield Dolan, and has received numerous research and teaching awards from top academic journals, conferences and institutions. He has also received recognitions from professional organizations (e.g., Nvidia Deep Learning Institute).
Connect: LinkedIn
Amy Storer
Amy Storer is an Innovative Learning Specialist and respected speaker in Montgomery ISD who is passionate about empowering educators through purposeful technology integration.
She thrives on partnering with educators to enhance the great learning already happening in their classrooms and schools by leveraging powerful digital tools. Amy is a certified educator and trainer for Google, Microsoft, Adobe Express, and Canva, and she brings energy, expertise, and heart to every professional learning experience. Her work centers on meaningful PD, authentic classroom connections, and innovative strategies that make learning stick.
Connect: LinkedIn · X: @techamys · Instagram: @techamys
Coming Soon on the 10 Minute Teacher
Each of these conversations will be edited into its own solo episode of the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast in the coming weeks. Subscribe so you don’t miss the full interviews with Dr. Patricia Dickenson, Dr. Jie Tao, and Amy Storer.
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Disclosure of Material Connection: This episode includes some affiliate links. This means that if you choose to buy I will be paid a commission on the affiliate program. However, this is at no additional cost to you. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers and are from companies I can recommend. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
The post Heart First, Tools Second: How to Teach and Use Tech in Today’s World appeared first on Cool Cat Teacher Blog by Vicki Davis @coolcatteacher helping educators be excellent every day. Meow!
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