Reach Every Student with Jon Bergmann

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The Flipped Classroom was just the beginning. Join pioneer Jon Bergmann as he introduces the MasteryFlip—a framework to stop AI stupefaction, reclaim 'Analog Roots,' and ensure real learning in an automated world.power jonbergmann.substack.com

  1. 3D AGO

    The “Easy Button” is Destroying Student Cognition

    I recently returned from the Learning & the Brain Conference in San Francisco, and my head is buzzing. We are at a critical juncture in education. We can either let AI stupefy our students by allowing them to “push the easy button,” or we can use it as an engine to help them thrive. In my latest keynote, I share my “abject failure” in first implementing AI and the new paradigm I’m calling the Mastery Flip. Here are the three viral moments from the talk that every educator needs to hear: 1. The “Forklift in the Weight Room” Metaphor “Using ChatGPT to complete assignments is like bringing a forklift to the weight room. You will never improve your cognitive fitness that way.”. 2. Why “Efficiency” is the Enemy of Learning AI was built for the boardroom, not the classroom. Business values efficiency, but education is inherently inefficient. Our brains need the friction of productive struggle to grow. 3. The Return of the Oral Exam (Mastery Vivas) You can’t fake a conversation. I’m moving toward high-frequency, 2-minute “Mastery Vivas” where students must verbally defend their work to prove they didn’t just let an AI write it. The next five years will determine the next fifty. Let’s make sure we are designing classrooms where the “Aha!” moment is preserved, not automated. Key Moments in This Keynote * 02:52 – The “Abject Failure”: Why my first attempt at AI in the classroom failed 100%. * What was AI built for? NOT education * 12:14 – The Weight Room Metaphor: Why using AI for everything is like bringing a forklift to the weight room. * 14:30 – The Scariest Graph in Education: How AI 5X’s experts but actually degrades novices. * 25:26 – The Mastery Viva: Introducing the high-impact, 2-minute oral exam. * 36:30 – AI Mr. Bergmann: A demo of the “Content Wrapper” that lets students interact with my videos. * 52:30 – Samuel’s Story: A moving example of a student who refused the “easy button” to find his “Aha!” moment. How are you handling the “Easy Button” in your classroom? Let’s discuss in the comments. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jonbergmann.substack.com

    54 min
  2. The Mastery Viva- Stop Grading Papers, Start Having Conversations #59

    FEB 9

    The Mastery Viva- Stop Grading Papers, Start Having Conversations #59

    Is your Sunday night defined by a stack of ungraded papers and a sinking feeling that your students just “filled in the blanks”? In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on the most transformative part of my classroom: The Mastery Viva. After 40 years in the classroom, I’ve found that the only way to truly “reach every student” is to get away from the red pen and get back to the human voice. I call this the “Human Check,” and it is the final pillar of the Mastery Flip. In this episode, Jon explores: * The 3 Pillars of the Mastery Flip: 1. AI Engines: Using tools like Flint K12 as a positive force. 2. Analog Roots: Why paper and pencil (”Old School is New School”) is the best defense against AI shortcuts. 3. Human Checks: The Mastery Viva. * The “Viva” Logistics: How to move through 30 kids in a period without creating a “queue of doom” at your desk. * The Curveball Question: My strategy for asking the one question that proves a student actually did the mental work. * Scaling the Viva: Why I sometimes “clump” students into groups of three for a rapid-fire mastery check. * The “Big JB” Signature: The simple physical act that replaces your grading time and authorizes a student to move forward. Why it Matters Now We are seeing a “stupefaction” of students who are incorrectly using AI to skip the thinking process. The Mastery Viva is the ultimate “cheat-proof” assessment because you can’t fake a face-to-face conversation. It’s exhausting. It’s high-energy. But it’s the most rewarding way to teach. RESOURCES MENTIONED: * FlintK12.com (AI Oral Testing) * Formative.com (For digital submission after the physical signature) If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and share it with a colleague who needs to reclaim their weekends! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jonbergmann.substack.com

    14 min
  3. The Pedagogy of Resistance- Un-Capturing the Classroom from AI Stupefaction #58

    FEB 2

    The Pedagogy of Resistance- Un-Capturing the Classroom from AI Stupefaction #58

    Episode Summary Fresh off a keynote in Manila, Jon Bergmann explores why the message of "AI Stupefaction" is resonating globally. He connects his Mastery Flip framework with the philosophical work of Prof. Rogério Giorgion and Silvio Diniz, arguing that the modern school system has been "captured" by a results-driven corporate logic.  This episode is a call to action for educators to move from being "executors of scripts" to "authors of learning" through a movement of active resistance .  Key Takeaways  The Captured Teacher: Understanding how global educational systems have turned teachers into "operators" of scripts and platforms, stripping away their intellectual autonomy.   The Efficient Student: Why "cheating" with AI is often a rational response from students trying to be "efficient" in a system that values metrics over the struggle of learning.   The Mastery Flip as Resistance: How the three pillars—AI Engines, Analog Roots, and Human Checks—serve as "cracks" in the corporate machine.   The Power of Paper: Why returning to paper and pencil is a revolutionary act that forces students to use their own brains without outsourcing the work to a device.   The Mastery Viva: Reclaiming the teacher's voice and authority through high-frequency, two-minute oral exams.   The Civilizational Knife’s Edge: A reflection on how our treatment of the next generation's minds defines our society.  Thought Leaders Mentioned  Silvio Diniz: Brazilian colleague who introduced the correlation between structural capture and AI misuse.  Prof.  Rogério Giorgion: Proponent of the "Structural Capture" hypothesis and the "Captured Teacher" theory.   Stefan Bauschard: Advocate for a debate-centered model of instruction to counter AI's ability to fake evidence. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jonbergmann.substack.com

    11 min
  4. Is AI Stupefying Our Students? Why I’m Flipping My Class Again #57

    JAN 26

    Is AI Stupefying Our Students? Why I’m Flipping My Class Again #57

    In this episode, Jon Bergmann—forty-year teaching veteran and pioneer of the Flipped Classroom—declares that we are at the precipice of a second, more profound educational revolution .  As AI becomes the ultimate shortcut, Jon warns of a "Great Bifurcation" in education: will we choose the path of the Crutch, leading to student stupefaction and brain atrophy, or the path of the Engine, leading to a soaring generation of thinkers? .  Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/R4S_9rz4JRY   Jon introduces his new framework, The Mastery Flip, designed to protect the human mind from the very tools meant to assist it .   Inside the Three Pillars :   Pillar 1: AI Engines – Moving from static videos to vibrant, adaptive conversations where AI acts as a Socratic coach, identifying misconceptions and offering personalized metaphors rather than just providing answers .  Pillar 2: Analog Roots – A resurgence of "low tech for high cognition."  Jon argues that the "deep work" must happen on paper to ensure focus remains on internal logic rather than an algorithm .  Pillar 3: Human Checks – The ultimate "AI killer."  Jon explains his system of oral mastery checks—short, high-stakes conversations where students must verbally prove their understanding to the teacher .  Key Takeaways: The New Rule of Homework: We can no longer send cognitively complex work home because the temptation to use AI as a shortcut is too high .  We must "clear the fog" at home and bring the "heavy weights" back into the classroom .  The Tech Gap: AI was built for business productivity, not for the "productive struggle" required for an adolescent mind to learn .   A Call to EdTech: Jon outlines seven "wrappers" needed for a true Learning OS, including cognitive twins, translation tools, and AI assistants that help teachers ask better questions .   Scaling Human Connection: The goal is to solve Bloom’s "Double Sigma" problem by using technology to free the teacher from being an information provider so they can become a cognitive coach .  "Let’s stop worrying about the robots and start focusing on the humans. Let’s build the engines that will help us to soar."    Link & Resources:Website: jonbergmann.com     Follow Jon: Subscribe for more visionary strategies to reach every student, every class, every day   This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jonbergmann.substack.com

    18 min
  5. Stupefied or Supercharged? My Take on the AI Bifurcation in Education #56

    JAN 19

    Stupefied or Supercharged? My Take on the AI Bifurcation in Education #56

    Episode Overview In this conversation (originally recorded with Robs Mesquita of the People Possibility Pedagogy podcast), Jon Bergmann reflects on the evolution of Flipped Learning and addresses the urgent challenges posed by Artificial Intelligence. He shares why the "human act of teaching" is more critical now than ever before. Key Themes & Takeaways The Origin of the Flip: How Flipped Learning started as a solution to the "homework struggle" and evolved into a tool for mastery and social justice. The AI Bifurcation: Jon discusses the "Techno-Pragmatist" view—warning that AI will either amplify experts ("Supercharged") or degrade the skills of novices ("Stupefied"). The Death of Traditional Online Learning: Why AI "agents" have made standard LMS-based testing and homework obsolete, and why the "hard thinking" must move back into the classroom. The 30-Minute Rule: Why every educator needs to spend time "playing" with AI daily to understand its potential and pitfalls. Higher Ed at a Crossroads: A look at the "demographic cliff" and why universities must shift from content delivery to active pedagogy to survive. Memorable Quote "If we use AI to bypass the struggle, we aren't learning. We have to keep the 'productive struggle' in the room where the teacher can support it." This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jonbergmann.substack.com

    48 min
  6. 40 Years, 26 Lessons: A 2026 Survival Guide for Students #55

    JAN 12

    40 Years, 26 Lessons: A 2026 Survival Guide for Students #55

    This episode is the audio version of my 26-lesson video masterclass for the Class of 2026. For the full visual experience and the 40-year 'Forge' visuals, visit https://youtu.be/IcelpAWhpZY  Forty years. It’s a long time to spend in a classroom. In this special anniversary episode, Jon Bergmann looks back at a career that started with physical books and card catalogs and transitioned into the era of AI and biotechnology. This isn’t just a "best of" list; it’s a strategic roadmap for anyone trying to maintain their humanity and find success in an increasingly automated world. What you’ll hear in this episode: The AI Order: Why using AI to fix your work is better than using it to start your work. The Ironman Mindset: How Jon went from out-of-shape to 4 Ironmans, and how that applies to your hardest subjects in school. The Humility Edge: Why being "coachable" is the most valuable skill you can develop in 2026. The Choice: Why life is always hard, and how to "choose the right hard." Episode Breakdown: Phase 1: Mastering the Craft – How to handle school and technology without losing your ability to think. Phase 2: Building the Person – The character traits that will keep you grounded when the world gets chaotic. Phase 3: Connecting to the World – Why real human relationships are the ultimate competitive advantage. Resources Mentioned: Join the conversation and see the video versions of these lessons at reacheverystudent.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jonbergmann.substack.com

    28 min
  7. Turn AI From "Cheater" to "Tutor" with One Change #54

    JAN 5

    Turn AI From "Cheater" to "Tutor" with One Change #54

    Here are the show notes for Episode 54. Episode 54: Turn AI From "Cheater" to "Tutor" with One Change Episode Summary: Is AI making learning too easy? In this episode, Jon Bergmann explores the concept of "productive friction" and why students need a certain amount of struggle to truly develop critical thinking skills. Drawing on insights from Stefan Bauschard, Jon argues that traditional written assessments are losing their value in the age of AI. The solution? A return to the oldest form of assessment: the oral exam. Discover how you can assign "AI debate" as homework to prepare students for face-to-face assessments, turning the technology from a shortcut into a powerful coaching tool. Key Topics & Takeaways The Necessity of Friction: Why reducing cognitive load too much prevents students from developing their own critical thinking skills .  The Assessment Cycle: A look at the history of education—from the oral exams of Aristotle and Plato to the rise of paper tests—and why universities are now returning to "Blue Books" and oral defense .  Rethinking Homework: How to assign cognitively complex work by asking students to use AI as a tutor or debate partner at home to prepare for in-class verbal assessments .  AI as "Copilot" vs. "Cheater": Shifting the student mindset so they use AI to refine their understanding rather than bypass the work .  Scaling the Oral Exam: Jon discusses the challenges of doing oral exams with large class sizes and speculates on future AI tools that might act as "teacher clones" for assessment .  Follow-up on Episode 53: A brief update on Jon’s experiment with Google NotebookLM and his testing of a new interactive video tool (Skylo) .  Resources Mentioned:  Stefan Bauschard: Education Disrupted Newsletter .  Previous Episode: Episode 53 - I Tried to Flip My Class with Google NotebookLM .  Interactive Video Tool: Skylo (referenced as the "silo tool" in this episode) .  Connect with Jon: Have a question or a topic you want Jon to cover?  Visit JonBergmann.com to submit your feedback .    Subscribe & Share: If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with a colleague and hit subscribe to help us reach every student .  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jonbergmann.substack.com

    12 min
  8. I Tried to Flip My Class with Google NotebookLM... and It Failed- #53

    12/08/2025

    I Tried to Flip My Class with Google NotebookLM... and It Failed- #53

    Episode 53: I Tried to Flip My Class with NotebookLM... and It Failed YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/ls3bcbJYZ4c   In this episode of the Reach Every Student podcast, host Jon Bergmann shares a candid experiment involving Google NotebookLM and the Flipped Classroom model .  Jon attempts to solve a common problem in the "independent space" of learning: students consuming content (like videos or podcasts) without the ability to ask questions or interact .  Key Takeaways The Experiment: Jon uploaded class videos and textbook content to NotebookLM to create an audio podcast .  The goal was for students to use the "interactive" feature to interrupt the AI host and ask questions during their homework .  The Outcome: While Jon found the experience satisfying personally, the classroom implementation was a "fail" .  Sharing Issues: There is no easy way to "assign" a notebook; sharing it individually was difficult, and student data remains private to the user, meaning the teacher could not track progress .  Technical Glitches: Students reported that the audio would randomly restart, the system did not remember where they left off, and the prompt designed to summarize their activity failed to work reliably .  Feature Request for Google: Jon suggests NotebookLM needs a system similar to Google Classroom where teachers can assign content and track student interaction .  The Pivot: Despite this setback, Jon plans to use NotebookLM for final exam review guides and will test a new tool, Skylo.ai, which may better solve the interactive video problem .  AI in Education: Jon emphasizes that educators must teach students to use AI as a "copilot" to ensure they thrive in the "fourth industrial revolution" without losing critical thinking skills .  Resources Mentioned  Google NotebookLM: Used to generate AI podcasts and summaries from source text .  Skylo.ai: A new tool recommended by Hani Fidel for interactive video, which Jon plans to test next .  Gemini: Used by Jon to brainstorm the lesson plan and prompts . This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit jonbergmann.substack.com

    11 min
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The Flipped Classroom was just the beginning. Join pioneer Jon Bergmann as he introduces the MasteryFlip—a framework to stop AI stupefaction, reclaim 'Analog Roots,' and ensure real learning in an automated world.power jonbergmann.substack.com

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