Inside the AI Kaleidoscope: What it Really Takes to Bring AI to Schools From a Top EdTech Podcaster
This week’s conversation is a special one.
In the early days of this podcast, there wasn’t a massive audience of folks lining up to talk about AI or reacting to some of the episodes I was publishing.
It took a couple months of talking into this mic and believing in what The AI Education Conversation could be to get where we are today.
Early on though, there was a really enthusiastic Edtech podcaster with well over 150 episodes and a robust global audience who reached out to say how much he was enjoying my podcast and he invited me to come on to his podcast, My Edtech Life, as a guest.
He didn’t have to do that but I’m grateful that he did as we’ve had some great conversations since then and he’s now a mentor and friend.
Today’s episode is a full circle moment as I now get to switch the roles here and welcome Alfonso ‘Fonz’ Mendoza, founder of the My Edtech Life podcast to join our conversation.
In addition to all of the learnings he’s gained from talking to education and technology leaders for over 270 episodes, Fonz is an instructional software specialist for a public school district in Texas, meaning he has such a deep expertise on technology in schools and is tremendously qualified to support schools with thinking through the implementation around AI in schools.
You will experience Fonz’s expertise quickly — there were certain moments where I honestly felt like I was looking into a kaleidoscope where I could see a vision for an AI powered school at the end, but layers of complexity in getting there can feel overwhelming. I appreciate Fonz for breaking it down in a way that was comprehensive but digestible.
After checking out my conversation with Fonz, I would highly recommend you follow my edtech life on your favorite podcast platform and dig into the treasure trove of conversations Fonz has available for our learning.
Here’s my top takeaways from the conversation with Fonz:
Threats to school districts extend beyond privacy
Fonz points out that some products include language in their privacy agreements and terms of service which put liability around mitigating risk and bias in AI tools on the school district and collecting data for multiple third parties. In a world where we are seeing many AI startups and some already dissolving around a new technological experience, should schools be willing to assume liability risk?
AI models tend to reflect the values of the developers and the trained data
Good or bad, AI models like ChatGPT are going to amplify the voices and perspectives they are trained on. We talk through examples around facial recognition technology from Coded Bias and Unmasking AI, recent Google Gemini outrage, and the UNESCO report.
Implementation requires differentiation for your speedboats, tugboats, and anchors
Fonz elevates the voice of Renee Dawson; school implementation requires tactics for your speedboats, tugboats, and anchors.
Speedboats are your early adopters — how do you engage them while also maintaining privacy and protecting the school?
Tugboats are you slow and steady adopters — what spaces and training can you provide to move the needle?
Anchors are more resistant to change and nervous about tech — how do you build buy-in and also leverage their concerns to pressure test and strengthen your implementation strategies?
AI tech adoption should consider financial sustainability, the four click experience, and outcomes
How will this product impact student outcomes? Can we afford it? What do other districts have to say about this product? Can teachers get to where they need to go in four clicks or less? How does the product bake into our current product ecosystem? What is our vision for this product? Fonz drops the robust checklist of items he runs through for any products they consider within his district.
Have something to say? Jump in.
We spend part of our time reflecting on our podcast journeys — beyond the energy and joy we both gain from having conversations, learning to give ourselves grace, keep it simple, run your race, and continue learning is what keeps us motivated to continue publishing. If you are ready to jump in with your own podcast or blog, share the episode with Fonz and I, we’ll listen and support — you can do it!
Massive thank you to Alfonso Mendoza for sharing his expertise. Check out My Edtech Life wherever you listen to podcasts after listening to our episode.
Check out our full conversation here. Join the conversation at TheAIEducationConversation.com
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