AI in the Classroom

Dan Cogan-Drew

AI in the Classroom helps educators make sense of AI without the hype. This podcast explores what responsible AI in the classroom really looks like for teachers, school leaders, and district administrators. Each episode translates the latest AI news, research, and policy debates into clear, practical insight — what's changing, why it matters, and what to do next. Co-Founder & Chief Academic Officer, Newsela dan.cogandrew@newsela.com Produced by Christopher Camp and Louisa Carroll

  1. 1d ago

    AI Detection Is an Arms Race. Here’s What Teachers Can Do Instead.

    In this episode we explore an Edutopia article offering five instructional strategies for preserving authentic student writing as AI detection tools struggle to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated evasion software. From Turnitin and Pangram to AI “humanizers,” the technological arms race raises uncomfortable questions about academic integrity. Topics covered: Pangram, Turnitin, and AI detection failuresThe growing sophistication of AI humanizersPersonal investment as an instructional strategyGrading the process, not just productsPeer review and AI's social stigmaHandwriting, typing, and authentic student thinking AI in the Classroom helps educators make sense of AI without the hype. Hosted by Dan Cogan-Drew, co-founder and Chief Academic Officer at Newsela. Have a story we should cover? Reach us at podcast@newsela.com Sources: https://www.edutopia.org/article/when-even-best-ai-detection-tools-fail-return-basics https://arxiv.org/html/2608.11256v2 https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/2026/09/college-professors-ai-detectors-pangram/688727/

  2. 3d ago

    5 Ways AI Could Be Hurting Student Writing

    In this episode we explore an Edutopia article identifying five seemingly helpful uses of AI that may undermine students’ writing development. We also consider a Stanford review of 800 AI education studies. We examine the tension between making writing easier and helping students become stronger, more independent thinkers. From brainstorming and thesis development to research and revision, we consider when AI supports learning and when it replaces the cognitive work students need to practice. Topics covered: Five questionable AI writing practicesIndividual creativity versus collective originalityBrainstorming gains that disappear without AIThesis development versus AI-generated argumentsThe hidden credibility problem in AI researchSummarizing versus building long-term memoryFirst drafts and cognitive offloadingAI feedback during the revision process AI in the Classroom helps educators make sense of AI without the hype. Hosted by Dan Cogan-Drew, co-founder and Chief Academic Officer at Newsela. Have a story we should cover? Reach us at podcast@newsela.com Sources: https://www.edutopia.org/article/5-good-ai-use-cases-that-are-actually-bad-for-students/

  3. 6d ago

    AI's Memory Chip Shortage Is Costing Schools

    In this episode we explore two stories about AI's growing impact on education infrastructure: EdSurge's interview with Sandra Liu Wang of Learning Commons, a Chan Zuckerberg Initiative-backed effort to develop shared educational AI resources, and The Atlantic's reporting on how AI-driven memory shortages are raising school technology costs. Topics covered: Learning Commons and AI's educational foundationsKnowledge graphs and standards-aligned instructionEvaluating the quality of AI feedbackPrivate funding and public accountabilityAI agents analyzing daily exit ticketsStudent data privacy and automationAI-driven memory shortages and Chromebook pricesDistrict budgets and one-to-one device access AI in the Classroom helps educators make sense of AI without the hype. Hosted by Dan Cogan-Drew, co-founder and Chief Academic Officer at Newsela. Have a story we should cover? Reach us at podcast@newsela.com Sources: https://www.edsurge.com/news/who-is-building-the-ai-foundation-for-k-12-classrooms https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/2026/10/chromebook-schools-memory-shortage/689015/

  4. Oct 15

    How To Get Students To Want To Do The Heavy Lifting

    In this episode we explore Dan Rockmore’s New Yorker essay, “Should the Classroom Be More Like the Gym?” and its argument that schools should value the process of learning as much as the final product. What can physical training teach us about student motivation, feedback, and the role of AI? Topics covered: Why learning should resemble physical trainingThe problem with grading final productsImmediate feedback versus delayed gradesMastery learning and the expectation of proficiencyAI-generated assessments and teacher judgmentSports and performance as curriculum modelsThe difference between practice and busywork AI in the Classroom Daily helps educators make sense of AI without the hype. Hosted by Dan Cogan-Drew, co-founder and Chief Academic Officer at Newsela. Have a story we should cover? Reach us at podcast@newsela.com Source: https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-weekend-essay/should-the-classroom-be-more-like-the-gym?

  5. Oct 15

    Why One Teacher Built an AI Chatbot That Lies to Students

    In this episode we explore how Mike Yates, Vice President of AI and Emerging Technology at Teach For America, is helping educators rethink teaching and learning with AI. From a Michigan algebra teacher who built a chatbot that deliberately lies to students to a Houston teacher using AI to overcome language barriers, we discuss what meaningful innovation looks like in real classrooms. We examine the tension between growing resistance to Big Tech and the possibilities AI creates for teachers. Through examples from across the country, we consider how technology can strengthen human relationships, support professional expertise, and change the way educators approach their work. Topics covered: An algebra chatbot designed to deceiveCatching AI errors as homeworkTranslation tools that deepen student relationshipsYounger teachers resisting Big TechAI professional development beyond basic trainingTeacher expertise versus technological automationInnovation grounded in real classroom needs AI in the Classroom Daily helps educators make sense of AI without the hype. Hosted by Dan Cogan-Drew, co-founder and Chief Academic Officer at Newsela. Have a story we should cover? Reach us at podcast@newsela.com Sources: https://publicaisummit.org/keynote/the-homework-machine/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-yates/

  6. Oct 13

    Bring the Hard Part Into Class

    In this episode we explore a Wall Street Journal investigation into Google's expanding AI presence in schools. We examine the tension between protecting students' independent thinking and giving teachers enough time to observe, guide, and respond to that thinking. Topics covered: Google's AI features and growing school backlashThe hidden costs of effortless AI answersBringing cognitive struggle back into classroomsJennifer Haber's approach to in-class writingObserving student thinking beyond finished essaysThe limits of real-time teacher feedbackIndividual writing needs versus whole-class instructionStructure, student voice, and writing development AI in the Classroom Daily helps educators make sense of AI without the hype. Hosted by Dan Cogan-Drew, co-founder and Chief Academic Officer at Newsela. Have a story we should cover? Reach us at podcast@newsela.com Sources: https://www.wsj.com/tech/ai/google-ai-gemini-education-schools-1ec0972a https://newcurrent.substack.com/p/you-cant-turn-off-googles-ai-search https://www.marshallmemo.com/issue.php?I=5f1a21736feea8b43c16aa30cf54ee21#One

  7. Oct 12

    What 250 Students Say About Their Teachers and AI

    In this episode we explore insights from education researcher and author Tony Frontier, who spoke with 250 high school students across the country about their experiences with AI in the classroom.  We examine what students say teachers are getting wrong, what's working, and what these insights mean for building more effective learning environments in the age of AI. Topics covered: What 250 students reveal about AIThe hidden costs of classroom AI bansHow teacher behavior shapes student trustWhy some assignments invite AI shortcutsThe disconnect between policy and practiceRethinking academic integrity and student motivationThe role of transparency in AI useWhat effective AI-era teaching looks like AI in the Classroom Daily helps educators make sense of AI without the hype. Hosted by Dan Cogan-Drew, co-founder and Chief Academic Officer at Newsela. Have a story we should cover? Reach us at podcast@newsela.com Sources: https://www.ascd.org/el/articles/students-on-ai-teach-us-how-to-use-it https://www.marshallmemo.com/issue.php?I=8e9727e4bdc320d4461b276f9486a8b9#Three

  8. Oct 9

    Bans, Teen Modes, and the Trust Problem

    Are schools protecting students from AI, or creating new challenges by restricting it? In this episode, we explore three major stories shaping the debate over AI in K–12 education, from New York City's restrictive AI policies to concerns about ChatGPT's teen experience and a national student competition's decision to ban AI entirely. Topics covered: New York City's AI restrictions and equity concernsChatGPT's teen mode under scrutinyAI tutors vs. teacher-centered toolsNational History Day's AI banStudent trust, academic integrity, and AI literacy AI in the Classroom Daily helps educators make sense of AI without the hype. Hosted by Dan Cogan-Drew, co-founder and Chief Academic Officer at Newsela. Have a story we should cover? Reach us at podcast@newsela.com Sources: https://marketbrief.edweek.org/regulation-policy/what-should-ai-guidelines-for-k-12-look-like-new-york-city-has-a-year-to-figure-it-out/2026/10 https://www.edweek.org/technology/chatgpts-teen-mode-is-unsafe-for-students-report-concludes/2026/10 https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/in-social-studies-does-ai-shortcut-historical-thinking-or-deepen-it/2026/10

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About

AI in the Classroom helps educators make sense of AI without the hype. This podcast explores what responsible AI in the classroom really looks like for teachers, school leaders, and district administrators. Each episode translates the latest AI news, research, and policy debates into clear, practical insight — what's changing, why it matters, and what to do next. Co-Founder & Chief Academic Officer, Newsela dan.cogandrew@newsela.com Produced by Christopher Camp and Louisa Carroll

Information

  • Creator
    Dan Cogan-Drew
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    149
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dan Cogan-Drew
  • Show Website
    AI in the Classroom

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