Hello Reader,
So much is happening. Overnight change is everywhere but we have the end of the school year upon us in the Northern Hemisphere. We have test prep and school is so busy.
But you are important. So is sharing what I'm reading that I think may help some of you.
Even with the mixed feelings many have about AI, a recent report shows that 73% of teachers say it saves them time even if only 10% use it in the classroom.
Meanwhile, a US House Panel declared Deep Seek is a national security issue yesterday, as information from CopyLeaks on a 74% match between Deep Seek Output and that of ChatGPT, and with countries around the world (China, Singapore, Finland, and Canada) requiring AI to be taught in elementary schools, some are claiming AI is the new Space Race.
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In my opinion, we don’t really have a choice. Knowing how to use AI and where to use it is part of what our students need to know for a future competitive advantage. It just is. I’m not saying it has to be everywhere but it needs to be taught starting in elementary years somewhere in each grade level. We don't need kids on screens 24/7. And truly, we can teach about AI unplugged. But it is going to be part of what we do. It is just part of moving forward. This opinion piece captures a growing sentiment. I also think that MIT Management Review's 10 Urgent AI Takeaways for Leaders gives some solid advice and well-researched links for leaders to read.
Because Open AI’s new O3 and o4-mini models are much better at answering questions relating to biological and chemical threats so OpenAI has created a system that will not allow it to respond to “risky” prompts in order to protect “us” from chemical and biological attacks. Currently the ability to not respond to risky prompts is over 97%. This is an example of the need for people to work in AI who are part of safety teams. AI has risks but also potential as an AI-enabled camera device is being tested for the visually impaired with a 25% improvement over a traditional white cane with the device.
Contents of Today's Newsletter
- 5 Edtech Updates for Educators
- 4 ChatGPT Tips (including 2 prompts)
- 3 Health and Privacy Concerns (And What to Do)
- 2 Early Childhood Resources
- 1 Letter from MLK that Changed a DC Church
- Why Teachers and Students Love and Hate AI - This Week's Cool Cat Teacher Talk with Audrey Watters, my students and one of my sons
5 Edtech Updates
- Silent Reading Mode in Google Classroom: As of Tuesday, Google's Read Along feature now offers a silent reading mode that focuses on comprehension rather than oral reading metrics. Teachers won't receive data on accuracy, words per minute, or phonics, but will still get valuable insights on reading comprehension. This creates a less stressful reading environment for many students.
- Bulk Grading in Google Classroom: As of yesterday, teachers can now grade multiple assignments simultaneously using the new bulk grading feature. Simply go to Google Classroom > Student Work Page > select multiple students > click the bulk actions menu and select your desired grading option. This is a huge time-saver during heavy grading periods (like now!)
- Claude can access Google Calendar and Gmail: Yesterday, Tech Republic announced that Claude AI can be set up by administrators to be allowed access to Gmail and Google Calendar. Even if you won't do this, the new Claude Research features might be something you want to go into your settings and turn on if you pay for Claude.
- Microsoft Copilot (inside Edge Browser) Can See Your Screen: A new feature “Copilot Vision” is now available for free use inside the Edge browser. You use it by speaking and if you use it, Copilot Vision can see what you see on the screen. It can highlight piece of the screen but will not click for you. This may be the future of software instruction, however, as educators we need to test what this feature means for schoolwork when students use the edge browser to access their LMS. To test Copilot Vision, click this link inside an Edge browser.
- Windows 11 Will Let you Capture Text on Your Screen: I’m mentioning my windows students this feature tomorrow and reminding them to update. Their snipping tool now will soon text extraction from screen grabs.
4 ChatGPT Tips
- Image Library in ChatGPT. On Tuesday, ChatGPT announced that you now have a new Image Library which all of your images in it.. You can delete them there and find them as well. This is very convenient for those who have searched through chats to find that one image they created.
- ChatGPT Has a Better Memory (but make sure you're ok with it.) So now, unless you opt out, Chat GPT remembers all of your prior chats to customize what it answers you now. (Click your profile picture and go to Settings > Personalization > Memory. To see what ChatGPT already remembers about you, click “Manage memories” under the Reference saved memories option.)
- Turn Your Pet Into a Human. Two image creation prompts have gone viral this week. The first is "turning your pet into a human." First, upload a picture of your pet (I think looking at the camera is better) and then you ask it to turn your pet into a human. You can also ask everything else in the photo should be the same.
- Turn yourself into a collectible action figure - You should replace the items in brackets with what you want. Some who have used ChatGPT for a while are using the new ChatGPT memory feature.
A picture of a collectible action figure titled “[FIGURE NAME]” in a sealed plastic blister pack on a cardboard backing. The figure is posed confidently inside the transparent plastic shell, surrounded by three accessories that reflect their personality or career. The character is wearing [OUTFIT DESCRIPTION] and has a [FACIAL EXPRESSION] expression. The packaging features a [COLOR SCHEME OR PATTERN] background with bold letters at the top displaying the name “[FIGURE NAME]” and the subtitle “ACTION FIGURE” beneath it. The visual style is playful, minimal and toy-like, with smooth surfaces and soft lighting that mimics the look of real plastic. via Instagram
chatgpttricks
3 Health and Privacy Concerns
- Receipt Paper at Major Retailers May Be Dangerous for Your Health. Well, I may never touch a receipt again. In new research touching just one receipt with BPS on it for 10 seconds resulted in exposure that requires a clear and reasonable warning to consumers. This is shocking! The Center for environmental health is taking action here in the US.
- The Alarming Concerns of Sleep Deprivation on Adolescents (and What to Do About It.) With adolescents needing 8-10 hours of sleep a night, according to the CDC but nearly 80% of teenagers aren’t getting that, this article may be one you want to share with parents. The characteristics of sleep deprivation include sleeping in class and bad behavior.Additionally, I recall John Medina in his book Brain Rules sharing how in one study an additional hour of sleep a night improved grades students earned by one grade level. Sleep makes a difference and this article shares how to help children establish a routine.
- Change These Settings to Make Your Smart TV More Private. With over 70% of people in the US having a smart TV, I'm not sure how many know that their Smart TV may be collecting data on them. But you don't have to accept that. Use this article to change these settings to make your smart TV more private.
2 Early Childhood Resources
1. 8 Powerful Insights About Early Childhood Education -
In this week's episode of the 10 Minute Teacher Podcast, I explore the transformative power of care and connection in early education. Featuring Isabelle C. Hau, executive director of the Stanford Accelerator for Learning and author of "Love to Learn: The Transformative Power of Care and Connection in Early Education" (currently the #1 New Release in Early Childhood Education on Amazon!).
We discuss why relationships are fundamental to children's development and learning, and how play-based approaches create the foundation for lifelong learning. These insights might just transform how you view your important work with our youngest learners!
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2. The Benefits of Bringing Nature Play into Your Teaching
Not only is play important in early childhood education, as Isabelle shared, but nature play is important. It can improve a child’s development of empathy and has even other benefits as shared in this article that shares how you can do it. As someone who grew up on a farm, I know so much of who I am is connected to my time outdoors.
1 Letter from Martin Luther King Jr that Changed a DC Church
This article, highlights how a pastor, R.B. Culbertson, in Washington DC changed his views on segregation from one of voicing support to one of acting and ensuring all members were treated equally as a result of reading Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr's letter. I think this beautiful historical account based upon a recently discovered letter shows how change happens and the intricacies of how change happens but also courage under pressure.
But around the time King penned his letter, Culbreth shifted his views, which we know about because of a recently discovered letter written by Carl F. H. Henry, a Metropolitan member who was also the first editor of Christianity Today.
In all of the noise, sometimes it is importance to remember the power of a letter, a story, and the truth. This is one I'll be sharing with my students.
In my latest Cool Cat Teacher Talk episode, we dive deeply into why students and teachers both love and hate artificial intelligence. Featuring Audrey Watters, EdTech's "Cassandra," who shares her concerns about AI and what we need to preserve in schools as we adopt its use. Plus, my students Will and Lucy talk candidly about how students are actually using AI today, including how they're beating AI detectors (the only students who get caught are those who don't really know how to use AI). My son John also joins to share perspectives from recent graduates about AI in the workplace.
See the show notes at https://www.coolcatteacher.com/talkai!
You are Important
Oh teachers, you are important. Trust me, it is the hardest job in the world. My husband said something this week as I had a bit of a challenge
"You can change schools but teaching doesn't change. It is the hardest job in the world but it is important. Do it as long as you can."
My principal and headmaster also encouraged me.
No one is perfect, especially me. Yet, somehow even as I work hard to teach my best, I'm reminded of the best teacher I've ever known, my Mom. She had challenges. Sadly, my Dad went to school one day and told her she was done.
My late pastor, Michael Catt, preached a sermon about being "down in the dumps" and mentioned that the average pastor leaves a church because of 8 people but that also applies to the workplace. He asked if we would let 8 people cause us to leave our life's purpose.
What a reminder!
I want you to know that your job is important. If you mess up, "fess up" and get up and move forward and learn what you can. Look for administrators that support you. Yes, the biggest difference between schools is often who you work for. I'm so grateful for my principal yet I've been in all kinds of situations.
But know this. Doing what is right by this generation is a leadership thing. Leadership isn't easy. And all of us are leaders. We lead our classrooms. We lead our students. And most of all, we lead ourselves. Sometimes we lead ourselves by reminding ourselves what is important and why we do this job.
So, keep going.
And as I keep going, I want to ask something. I want to start recording "ask me anything" questions at the end of my weekly radio/tv show. Would you like to reply to this email and send me a question? You can share whether you will allow your name and location be shared or not.
I remain joyfully in your service, I'm tired, but I'm here,
Vicki Davis,
@coolcatteacher
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