Most educators have moved towards no-zero grading policies. These decisions are in line with a larger goal of asset-based learning. After all, students never bring NOTHING to the table. Their thoughts, emotions, and backgrounds can all potentially become the basis of long-term growth in the courses’ knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA). Nevertheless, where it getsContinue reading “Understanding No-Zero Grading Policies”
Author Archives: andrewatnu
DeepSeek vs. Google Gemini: AI in Education
You may have heard in the news about a relatively new generative AI software out of China known as DeepSeek. Even if you haven’t, the stock market sure did yesterday. So, what’s the big deal? In short, DeepSeek’s quick rise occurred with less advanced hardware and far less investment. Whether or not this is anContinue reading “DeepSeek vs. Google Gemini: AI in Education”
Jerome Bruner, Cognitive Psychology: Perception, the Process of Education, and Motivation
Author’s Note: This year I took the plunge into the final frontier of education, a doctorate at Northern Illinois University. This post is for a final presentation on a groundbreaking theorist in Curriculum and Instructional Design. I was assigned Dr. Jerome Bruner. The more I researched, the more I saw how extraordinary Bruner was. HisContinue reading “Jerome Bruner, Cognitive Psychology: Perception, the Process of Education, and Motivation”
Adding an AI Policy to Your Spring Syllabus
As Spring semester begins in the next few weeks, it may be time to address the growing use of AI in the classroom. Like many of you, my first taste of consumer-facing generative Artificial Intelligence was after the release of ChatGPT in late 2022. In just the past year, the technology has grown in prominenceContinue reading “Adding an AI Policy to Your Spring Syllabus”
Education Policy and Artificial Intelligence
Few technological innovations have redefined education as quickly as OpenAI’s ChatGPT. Within weeks of release, cheating had taken on a whole new meaning. Within months AI had developed a more nuanced role creating opportunities for instructors to be more efficient and for students to think in new ways or isolate specific skills. While I knewContinue reading “Education Policy and Artificial Intelligence”
Updates
Last summer, I rose from VP to President to the Illinois Council for the Social Studies. As part of this exciting role, I was an introductory speaker at the Fall Conference for the wonderful, Mary Ellen Daneels. Mary Ellen explained about all of the efforts to promote civics education. For more information, check out theContinue reading “Updates”
Korea, Culture, and COVID
Ironically, even as sociology is being eliminated at college campuses, the subject is more relevant than ever as a tool for understanding our changing times. So when the World History Digital Educaiton Foundation announced its Spring 2020 Lesson Plan Contest, I made sure to submit my lesson on the impact of culture on early responsesContinue reading “Korea, Culture, and COVID”
Into the Unknown: Lessons learned so far
Like most every other educator in America, the COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally changed our method of teaching. Practically overnight, we have been forced to become tech-savvy gurus. Having received training from Harper College and taught online classes there, I was in a bit of a better position when it came time for distance learning withContinue reading “Into the Unknown: Lessons learned so far”
NCSS Annual Conference: An incredible opportunity for inspiration and information
Along with thousands of other social studies educators and professionals, I went to the 2018 National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS) Annual Conference in Chicago. Like ICSS Conferences, NCSS brought together experts in the social studies and history to lead sessions for educators. The big difference is the size and, as a result, theContinue reading “NCSS Annual Conference: An incredible opportunity for inspiration and information”
Presenting at the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies
Sorry for the radio silence. Since I last wrote, I have moved to Wisconsin and now teach at Starbuck Middle School in Racine. Here I teach geography and world cultures. My job is exceptionally important as I am the first social teacher that most of these students have ever had. What hasn’t changed are myContinue reading “Presenting at the Wisconsin Council for the Social Studies”
Andrew Levin 