Heart First. Tools Second. — How to Teach and Use Tech in Today's World

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Heart first, tools second. That's the secret to teaching well in the age of AI — and on this Cool Cat Teacher Talk, Vicki Davis and three educators show you how.

Great teaching still happens, even in the hardest times, and the research is clear: the most powerful thing in any classroom is still a human relationship. In this episode, Vicki talks with Dr. Patricia Dickenson (author of "Smart Teaching in the Age of AI") about teacher-driven instruction and using AI to plan, differentiate, and rethink assessment; with Dr. Jie Tao (founding director of Fairfield University's AI & Technology Institute) about building AI out of compassion and using agentic AI without giving up control; and with instructional coach Amy Storer about the practical tools teachers are most excited about right now.

In this episode, you'll learn:

  • Why teacher-driven instruction still wins — and how to bring your authentic self into the room
  • How to use AI to plan, differentiate, and assess without offloading your thinking
  • How to build a custom GPT or Gem that knows your standards
  • The PAIRR framework for teaching writing WITH AI
  • How to use agentic AI safely — the interview pattern, the scratchpad, and keeping control
  • The classroom tools teachers love right now: Adobe Express, Canva Code, and Scribe

A note: one segment includes a brief, age-appropriate discussion of research being done to detect and prevent suicide. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988) is referenced.

Full show notes, links, and transcript: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/heartfirst

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