Free Range Humans Jal Mehta, Rod Allen

"Generative AI isn't one-sided; it can be both a powerful aid and a source of challenges." In this episode we delve into the integration of generative AI in education with Superintendent of West Vancouver schools, Chris Kennedy and 12th grade student, Eric Xie. They help us explore the potential and challenges of AI, the importance of proactive leadership in educational technology, and the nuanced roles AI can play in different academic contexts.

Jal's former Harvard colleague, Dr. Neil Gross, joins the podcast to take us on a journey that compares the world of policing to the world of education. The conversation explores themes of leadership, culture change, and most importantly, trust through the lens of Neil's latest book, Walk the Walk: How Three Police Chiefs Defied the Odds and Changed Cop Culture.

In keeping with our recent theme of returning guests, Shanna Peeples makes her third appearance on the podcast. She shares her thoughts and insights on the current educational climate, and what it has been like navigating the system in her home state of Texas. A central theme throughout the conversation is the idea of purpose in education, and how shared values can help us rise above the political polarization spreading through society.

Historically, new technologies and innovations slowly make their way into classrooms via procurement processes or pilot programs. Generative AI has simply arrived in the education space, seemingly unannounced, skipping the traditional adoption process. Newly tenured, MIT professor Justin Reich joins the podcast to talk about this trend and what it means for teachers, students, and the system as a whole.

Ron Berger makes his third appearance on the podcast to engage Rod and Jal in a conversation focused on the idea of craftsmanship, and how quality and tangibility can, and should be applied to education. All three share personal experiences across the fields of carpentry, woodworking, writing, and of course education, emphasizing the importance of craftsmanship and critique in almost everything we do.

On the eve of the NFL draft, what better way to get excited than with a little draft of our own! Rod, Jal, and returning guest, Alisa Berger, take turns "drafting" some of the worst educational innovations of all time. Each person will have an opportunity to defend their pick and then possibly face a little pushback.