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Exploring Artificial Intelligence in Education

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  Exploring Artificial Intelligence in Education Before this week’s exploration, my knowledge of artificial intelligence (AI) was limited to a basic understanding—mainly that AI tools like ChatGPT, Canva Magic Write, or Grammarly use algorithms to generate or refine content. I was aware that AI could support lesson planning, writing feedback, and even assessment, but I hadn’t fully explored its potential as an educational partner. This week provided me with the opportunity to experiment with AI as both a learning and teaching tool, deepening my understanding of its affordances and limitations. Image Source: Author from Canva Initial Knowledge and Exploration My exposure to AI before this activity primarily came from casual use—asking ChatGPT for help brainstorming lesson ideas or revising student-friendly language in rubrics. However, I had never formally analyzed the impact of AI on teaching and learning. For this week’s task, I decided to explore ChatGPT for lesson design and...
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Looking Back, Looking Ahead: Dancing with Technology

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  Looking Back, Looking Ahead: Dancing with Technology As we reach the final week of EDU 776, I’ve been reflecting on how my understanding of technology in education has evolved. When the course began, I posted a GIF of teachers dancing — full of energy, laughter, and a little bit of chaos. At that time, it represented how I felt about technology integration: excited but slightly overwhelmed, as I tried to find the rhythm in an ever-changing digital classroom. Now, as I look back, that same GIF still feels fitting — but for different reasons. What once symbolized uncertainty now represents confidence, collaboration, and joy in using technology with purpose. I’ve learned that technology isn’t about knowing every tool; it’s about using the right ones to create meaningful, equitable learning experiences for all students. Growth and Shifting Perspectives One of the most significant shifts for me has been seeing technology not just as a support for teaching , but as a platform for s...
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My Digital Tattoo: What the Internet Says About “Elizabeth Martinez”

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  My Digital Tattoo: What the Internet Says About “Elizabeth Martinez” Introduction After watching the Digital Tattoos and Data Mine screencasts, I audited my own online presence. The idea of a “digital tattoo” felt very real: what shows up about me is part of what I post, part of what others post, and part of what aggregators decide to surface. Below, I document my process, what I found, and its implications for students and educators. Process: Browsers + Sites Browsers used: Google Chrome and DuckDuckGo (for comparison of algorithms and tracking). Sites searched Google Search,  Bing  DuckDuckGo Inter-American Magnet School (IAMS) site Facebook “People” search,  Instagram IMSA Digital Commons (research portal) LinkedIn directory pages General web (school/edu pages). Imaged Sourced: by Author from a Google search   Image Sourced by: Inter American Magnet School Website   Imaged Sourced by: Facebook people search  Findings (What s...
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Accessibility in Education: A Commitment to All Learners

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  Accessibility in Education: A Commitment to All Learners Accessibility is more than a checklist—it is a commitment to equity, belonging, and meaningful participation for every learner. As educators, we often hear about devices or techniques that support students with special needs. Still, if we are not in special education classrooms, accessibility may not feel like part of our daily planning. The truth is, accessibility benefits everyone. Designing accessible classrooms, libraries, and digital spaces reduces barriers not only for students with documented disabilities but also for English language learners, students with temporary injuries, and even caregivers who support learning from home. This week, I explored several resources on accessibility and found the Designing for Accessibility: Dos and Don’ts   guide especially practical. It provides clear visuals and concise language about best practices for color contrast, text clarity, alternative text for images, and access...
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What the Numbers Tell Us About Students and Technology

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  What the Numbers Tell Us About Students and Technology As educators, we often rely on our gut instincts when it comes to understanding our students’ technology use. We notice when phones buzz during class, when students turn to YouTube for explanations, or when they gravitate toward AI tools. But educational research helps us go beyond observation — grounding our assumptions in data and sometimes surprising us with patterns we didn’t anticipate. This week, I reviewed several recent reports (Pew Research Center, Common Sense Media, Project Tomorrow’s Speak Up survey, and others). Below, I highlight a few statistics that stood out to me — and why I think they matter in my own classroom. Always Online: Teens and Constant Connectivity According to Pew Research Center, 46% of U.S. teens (ages 13–17) say they are online “almost constantly.” This number has nearly doubled since 2015, when only 24% reported the same ( Pew Research ). What’s even more telling is that teens from low...
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Reflection on Active Learning Strategy: Brainstorming

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Introduction Active learning is an instructional approach that emphasizes student engagement, participation, and critical thinking. Instead of simply receiving information from the teacher, students are encouraged to generate ideas, ask questions, and collaborate with their peers to build a deeper understanding. Active learning is grounded in the belief that when students are directly involved in the learning process, they are more likely to retain knowledge and apply it meaningfully. One strategy I have successfully used to support active learning in my classroom is brainstorming . Why Active Learning Matters Active learning promotes higher-order thinking and ensures that all students are engaged in the classroom experience. Rather than relying on rote memorization or passive note-taking, students are encouraged to share their own ideas, challenge assumptions, and learn from one another. Bonwell and Eison (1991) describe active learning as requiring students to “do things and th...
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What My Personality Tests Reveal About Me and My Professional Learning Networks

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  Introduction Personality tests can give valuable insights into how we lead, work with others, and approach professional learning. I completed three assessments: the Leadership Style Quiz (Mind Tools) , the Personality Type Indicator (My Personality Test) , and the Big Five Personality Test (Psychologist World) . Below, I share my results, reflect on their accuracy, evaluate the validity of the tests, and connect these insights to my Professional Learning Network (PLN). Imaged Sourced by: The Technoliterate https://thetechnoliterate.wordpress.com/2011/02/18/the-networked-teacher/ 1. Leadership Style Quiz (Mind Tools) Screenshot of Results: Imaged Sourced by: Mind Tools https://www.mindtools.com/azr30oh/whats-your-leadership-style Result: Participative/Democratic leadership style             What's Your Leadership Style_ -… Traits: Collaboration, shared decision-making, consensus-driven. Accuracy & Validity: I agree w...
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