Exploration AI: Beyond the Algorithm

About Exploration AI: Beyond the Algorithm

Exploration AI: Beyond the Algorithm is a professional learning opportunity designed to help educators move past the basics of AI and dive into its deeper impact on teaching and learning. Participants will explore how AI can support instructional design, creativity, and problem-solving while also considering ethical, cultural, and human-centered perspectives. This PD goes beyond tools and prompts to focus on how educators can thoughtfully and responsibly integrate AI into their practice.

Publisher

beyondalgro

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

10 Sept 2025

Latest episode

10 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

10 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   10 Sept 2026

   Exploration AI: Conversations Beyond the Algorithm with Dan Fitzpatrick

   Show Notes: Season 2, Episode 1 – Case-by-Case & AI in Education with Dan Fitzpatrick Hosts: Courtney Groskin & Dr. Matt Moulton Guest: Dan Fitzpatrick (Educational Advisor, Author, and AI Specialist) Episode Overview: Courtney and Matt launch Season 2 with a new recurring segment, "Case-by-Case," where they apply their ETHOS framework to real-world AI news in education. Later in the episode, they welcome guest Dan Fitzpatrick, author of The AI Classroom, to discuss how AI is shifting the role of educators and why preserving human connection in the classroom is more crucial than ever. Key Topics & Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome Back & Summer Recaps Courtney and Matt catch up on their summer breaks and announce the start of Season 2. 00:54 – Case-by-Case: ETHOS Quick Dive Framework Overview: Explanation of the ETHOS framework (Ethical, Transparent, Human-centered, Opportunity-focused, Safe). Case Study: A news story out of Philadelphia (Springside Chestnut Hill Academy) highlighting AI used as a learning partner for language practice rather than a teacher replacement. Discussion: How AI can build student confidence, reduce pressure in the classroom, and align with human-centered AI integration. 05:07 – Interview with Dan Fitzpatrick Background: Dan shares his path from secondary teacher and school leader in the UK to international AI consultant and author. AI as an "Entourage": Using the analogy of Taylor Swift’s team, Dan explains how AI should act as a supportive entourage that amplifies a student's or teacher's authentic voice, not replaces it. The Evolving Role of Teachers: Why AI will make human connection, empathy, and emotional intelligence even more vital in education. Systemic Support: How school leadership can create space for teachers to be more human by leveraging AI to reduce administrative burdens. Preparing Students: Discussing the critical skills students need for an AI-driven workforce. Notable Quotes "When you engage with this technology in a meaningful way, it pushes you to your most critical thinking... [AI] should amplify the voice of the student, not replace it." — Dan Fitzpatrick "In a world where technology is ubiquitous, people are going to value the human side even more." — Dan Fitzpatrick Resources & Links Mentioned Book: The Educators Guide to AI 2027 Dan Fitzpatrick News Article: CBS News feature on Springside Chestnut Hill Academy’s AI language learning initiative

2. 

   14 May 2026

   Beyond the Algorithm: Season One Reflections, Ethos & Classroom Wins

   Hosts Courtney, Matt, and Jason reflect on Season 1 highlights — from giving away 650 AI books and a lively summit to celebrating student-powered classroom wins at Northridge Elementary. They discuss bringing ethos and transparency into classrooms, share the new School AI Chrome extension for teachers, and invite educators to summer PD and a year-long AI Collaborative to continue learning and planning for Season 2. May PDF

3. 

   9 Apr 2026

   Blended Remix: AI-Powered Strategies for Student-Centered Classrooms

   In this episode of Exploration AI, hosts Courtney Groskin and Dr. Matt Moulton talk with St. Vrain instructional coordinators Casey Luker and Temple Hayles about practical blended learning strategies and thoughtful AI integration. They highlight a Student-Powered AI Challenge winner and explain how AI can be a thinking partner—supporting student metacognition, formative assessment, and teacher planning. Listeners will hear classroom examples (elementary writing feedback, teacher-driven grouping, Schoology discussions), the Blended Remix PD model, and quick steps like flipping your agenda horizontally into stations to create more student choice and deeper learning. April PDF

4. 

   12 Mar 2026

   AI Summit Reflection: Empowering Teacher and Students in the Human-Centered Classroom

   Courtney and Matt reflect on the energy from the recent AI Summit, where nearly 250 St. Vrain educators gathered to explore practical, human-centered AI integration. A highlight was Dr. Catlin Tucker’s keynote, emphasizing that AI should empower, not replace, educators, with a strong focus on metacognition and purposeful implementation. The team shares key trends from summit feedback, including a shift from curiosity to capability, renewed momentum, and important conversations around K–3 foundations, differentiation, accessibility, and the Ethos Framework. 🎉 Student-Powered AI Challenge Winner: Mary Ann Dempsey (Mead Elementary)Her students used AI as a thinking partner — not a shortcut — to strengthen their Young AmeriTowne campaign speeches through guided questioning and structured feedback. Special guest Hannah McDonald, SVVSD Teacher of the Year and AI graduate student at Purdue, shares how she uses AI to solve real classroom challenges. Her entrepreneurship students used AI as a brainstorming partner, generating 200+ ideas while still evaluating and refining the work themselves. The big takeaway: Keep humans at the center. Use AI to deepen thinking, spark collaboration, and create more space for meaningful learning. Join us next month for another conversation beyond the algorithm. View the March PDF Here

5. 

   12 Feb 2026

   February: S in ETHOS for Safety with Jason Kelsall and Patrick Coniway

   Episode Overview As AI tools become more common in classrooms, questions around safety, privacy, and ethics are more important than ever. In this episode, Courtney and Matt sit down with Jason Kelsall and Patrick Coniway from District Technology Services to unpack the “S” for Safety in the district’s ETHOS framework. Together, they explore how AI tools are vetted, how student data is protected, and what safeguards are in place to ensure responsible, transparent, and ethical AI use across the district. What You’ll Hear in This Episode 🔐 How Student Data Is Protected What a data privacy agreement is—and why it matters Why district-approved tools offer protections that personal accounts do not How DTS works with vendors to safeguard student and educator data 🧠 How AI Tools Are Evaluated The role of the Codex review process How tools are reviewed for privacy, security, instructional alignment, and compliance Why transparency in generative AI systems is non-negotiable 🧪 “Red Teaming” AI Tools What red teaming is and how DTS stress-tests AI tools before approval How teams attempt to “break” tools to identify risks like misuse or prompt injection Why hands-on testing matters just as much as vendor promises ✅ District-Approved AI Tools Why SchoolAI is approved for K–12 student use How Gemini is approved for staff and high school students How tools like Canva and Adobe Firefly are monitored as AI features are added 🔄 Ongoing Review & Vendor Feedback How DTS monitors AI features added to existing tools Why some tools are approved, some paused, and others declined How the district provides feedback to vendors to improve safety and transparency 🌟 Student-Powered AI Challenge: February Spotlight Matt highlights February’s Student-Powered AI Challenge winner: A Longs Peak Middle School teacher used Gemini as a technical partner to build interactive Desmos activities AI reduced technical barriers, allowing the teacher to focus on pedagogy Student engagement increased, and learning clicked—proving AI works best when it supports instruction, not distracts from it 📣 Upcoming Event: AI Summit Keynote: Catlin Tucker Date: Saturday, February 21 Perks: Free breakfast, lunch, hot chocolate, prizes Doors open: 8:15 a.m.This is your last chance to register and save your spot. Final Takeaway AI innovation moves fast—but safety, transparency, and intentionality must lead the way. This episode highlights the thoughtful systems, partnerships, and safeguards working behind the scenes to ensure AI serves students and educators responsibly. February PDF

6. 

   9 Jan 2026

   January: Opportunity Focused AI with Mai Vu

   Episode Overview In this episode, Courtney Groskin and Dr. Matthew Moulton explore the “O” in ETHOS—Opportunity Focus, highlighting how AI can expand learning pathways for students while strengthening the human-centered work of educators. From blended learning models to real-world, student-driven AI projects, this conversation showcases how intentional AI use creates meaningful opportunities across St. Vrain Valley Schools. 🏔️ AI Summit Spotlight: Dr. Catlin Tucker The hosts kick off the episode by inviting listeners to the AI Summit with Dr. Catlin Tucker, happening Saturday, February 21 at Skyline High School.Attendees can expect: Sessions led by curriculum coordinators, administrators, learning leaders, and AI Champions A keynote from Dr. Catlin Tucker Free breakfast, lunch, and swag Dr. Tucker’s blended learning models exemplify Opportunity Focus by creating flexible pathways, prioritizing small-group instruction, and giving teachers more time for feedback, connection, and responsive instruction. Her work demonstrates how AI can support—not replace—teachers by opening space for deeper learning and stronger relationships. 🌟 Student Opportunity in Action: AI-Powered Learning at Longmont High The episode celebrates Paulina Hansen, world language teacher at Longmont High School and winner of the January Student-Powered AI Challenge. Paulina uses School AI tools to enhance learning in her Spanish for Spanish Speakers classroom by: Generating visual diagrams as mentor texts Providing sentence starters as scaffolds to support writing development Using AI assistants for low-stakes, communicative language practice Her intentional use of AI builds student confidence, fluency, and independence while modeling how educators can recognize and act on opportunity. 🤖 Guest Spotlight: Mai Vu, AI Program Manager Courtney and Matt welcome Mai Vu, AI Program Manager at the Innovation Center, who shares insights into her teaching and student project teams. Mai’s work centers on: AI literacy for students Real-world problem solving Project-based learning through the AI Youth Competition Students have tackled challenges ranging from environmental conservation and robotics onboarding to skincare selection for teens and increasing adoption rates for animals through the Humane Society. Each project reflects authentic learning driven by student voice, purpose, and impact. 🧠 Preparing Students for an AI-Ready Workforce Mai discusses how she intentionally builds durable skills such as: Critical thinking Communication Reading and writing Executive functioning By focusing on human-centered competencies, students learn how to “AI-proof” their skill sets and understand that success in an AI-rich future depends on responsibility, adaptability, and strong foundational habits. Closing Thoughts This episode reinforces that opportunity-focused AI use empowers students, supports teachers, and keeps human connection at the center of learning. From classrooms to competitions, St. Vrain continues to model what thoughtful, ethical, and opportunity-driven AI integration can look like. 🎧 Don’t miss next month’s episode, where the conversation continues with the S in ETHOS: Safety. January PDF

7. 

   12 Dec 2025

   December: Human-Centered AI, Classroom Innovation & Preparing Students for the Future with Dr. Diane Lauer

   Episode:  Human-Centered AI, Classroom Innovation & Preparing Students for the Future Hosts: Courtney Groskin & Dr. Matt MoultonGuest: Dr. Diane Lauer, Chief Academic Officer, St. Vrain Valley Schools 🌟 Episode Overview In this December episode, Courtney and Matt kick off the month with energy, updates, and a powerful conversation about what it means to keep humans at the center of AI in education. They highlight innovative classroom practices, celebrate educators, preview the upcoming AI Summit, and talk about how schools can prepare students for a future where AI is ever-present. 🔔 Highlights & Key Segments ➡️ St. Vrain AI Summit — February 21 A district-wide, free event for educators, leaders, and staff to explore real-world AI applications in education. Hosted at Skyline High School Featuring keynote speaker Dr. Catlin Tucker Free lunch, prizes, and professional learning credit Opportunities for hands-on learning, collaboration, and inspiration 🏆 December Student-Powered AI Challenge Winner: Alyssa McEvoy The hosts celebrate Alyssa McEvoy, a 3rd-grade teacher at Eagle Crest, for her innovative vocabulary lesson using Gemini Storybook.Why she won: Centered students in the creative process Used collaborative whiteboards and precise vocabulary Taught effective prompting skills — in third grade! Blended offline thinking with digital creation intentionallyAlyssa receives $100 toward her classroom wish list. Educators can apply monthly using the link on the December PDF. 🧡 Guest Interview: Dr. Diane Lauer — The “H” in ETHOS: Human-Centered Dr. Lauer joins the podcast to unpack what it means to be human-centered in an AI-enabled district. Key ideas: The human should always be in the driver’s seat AI should serve as a tool—not the decision-maker Intentional use matters: educators choose when to use AI and when not to Durable life skills (critical thinking, leadership, citizenship) remain essential Teachers should explore AI personally to deepen their professional practice Modeling curiosity and self-discipline sets the tone for students Dr. Lauer shares her own practice: scheduling 15 minutes a week to try a new AI tool—whether for work or even baking Christmas cookies. 📰 AI in the News: Longmont Times-Call Article Recap Matt highlights an article by Judith Kohler, “Navigating the Fast-Changing World of AI.” Takeaways from CSU Global’s experience: Students feel pressure to stay relevant in rapidly evolving fields AI is transforming—not eliminating—most careers Repetitive tasks may be automated, but human interpretation and decision-making remain central Economic factors, not just automation, drive workforce changes AI literacy is becoming a basic requirement for future-ready careers Courtney connects this back to St. Vrain's mission: giving students a strong competitive advantage by preparing them with ethical, critical, and creative AI skills. Reflection questions based on the article will be included in this month’s PDF. 💭 Final Reflection The episode closes with a powerful question for educators:“How can I support students in preparing for a future-ready workforce?” The hosts express gratitude for St. Vrain teachers and excitement for what’s ahead. December PDF

8. 

   14 Nov 2025

   November: Transparency and Student Spaces with Kyle Manuel

   November PDF

9. 

   10 Oct 2025

   October Conversations Beyond the Algorithm Episode 2

10. 

    10 Sept 2025

    Beyond the Algorithm Episode 1

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