Dear MindShare Learning Community Members,

I hope this message finds you well as we embrace the final weeks of summer and prepare for another exciting academic year ahead. As we're gearing up for the 15th Canadian EdTech Summit this fall, I’m thrilled to share the latest edition of the CanAm EdTech Report for August 2024, packed with thought-provoking insights around AI, cutting-edge innovations, and valuable resources designed to help navigate the complexities evolving landscape of education.

Key Highlights from This Month’s Report:

1. GenAI in Post-Secondary Education
   This edition features an insightful conversation with Professor Chris Kim of George Brown College on the integration of GenAI in post-secondary education. As a presenter at the upcoming 15th Canadian EdTech Summit, Professor Kim sheds light on how AI is revolutionizing teaching and learning in higher education.

2. MindShareTV Special Episodes
   We invite you to watch our latest MindShareTV interviews, including conversations with our EdTech Summit Conference Co-Chair, Dr. Steven Joordens for a 'Sneak Peek' from Canada's 14th edition of the Canadian EdTech Summit, our friend  Dr. Kamela Patton, award-winning superintendent, shares her Paris Olympic experience and Benjamin Kelly, a celebrated educator. These episodes dive deep into leadership strategies and the role of immersive learning in driving student success.

3. C21 Canada Leader to Leader Podcast C21 Canada Podcast: Be sure to tune into our inspiring innovation podcast with award-winning, Dr. Harry Zarek, Founder & CEO, Compugen

4. AI’s Promises and Pitfalls in Education
   This month’s featured book, The Promises and Perils of AI in Education, offers a comprehensive exploration of AI’s transformative potential in education, urging readers to prioritize ethical considerations and equity to ensure that these technologies benefit all students.

5. New Reports on AI and Teacher Education
   A special report from ISTE, Evolving Teacher Education in an AI World, tackles the emerging role of AI in reshaping teacher education. We also look at pressing issues such as AI-related cheating in universities and explore how institutions are responding to this growing challenge.

6. Exciting News in K-12 Education
   From the Canadian government’s $39.2 million investment in digital literacy programs like CanCode, with a renewed focus on AI, to the innovative new resources enhancing science education in California’s Dunham School District, the K-12 education landscape continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace.

7. 15th Canadian EdTech Leadership Summit
   Mark your calendars! The 15th Annual Canadian EdTech Leadership Summit, themed Navigating the Future of Education in an AI-Inspired World, will be held from October 31st to November 2nd. We’re excited to welcome industry leaders and educators to discuss how AI is shaping the future of education.

Inspiring Stories

This month, we are proud to highlight stories of educators leveraging technology for transformative learning experiences. One standout is the collaboration between MindShare Learning, Let’s Talk Science, and Logics Academy to expand the 15th Canadian EdTech Summit to include the STEAM AI eSports Teacher Symposium Showcase, which will offer educators and students a hands-on experience with emerging tech.

Additionally, hear from Algoma University students who won medals at an international AI competition in Germany, demonstrating the global impact of Canadian innovation in education.

Quotes and Insights

In my article, "Moving Slow... to Move Fast in the Age of AI in Education: Five Insights," I share key takeaways on the importance of thoughtful AI integration. Here’s a quote that stood out:

“In an age dominated by rapidly advancing AI technologies, it’s easy to feel like the future of education is racing ahead at breakneck speed. We must move thoughtfully to ensure that AI serves all students equitably.”

Our Quote of the Week:
"The future of learning is about interconnected human networks powered by pedagogy and technology."

— Robert Martellacci, Founder & President, MindShare Learning

Resources and Events

We’ve gathered some fantastic resources and upcoming events for you:

• Teacher/Parent Resources: NASA Learning Resources and the Ontario Science Centre STEM Toolkit offer engaging ways to inspire student curiosity.
• Professional Learning Events: Join us at the 15th Annual Canadian EdTech Leadership Summit, and don’t miss the HolonIQ ‘Back to School’ Summit from September 10-11. Plus, register for our 4th Annual Fall EdTech Industry Charity Golf Tournament on September 3rd for a fun and meaningful networking opportunity.

Check Out the Book

This month’s featured book is The Promises and Perils of AI in Education: Ethics and Equity Have Entered the Chat by Ken Shelton and Dee Lanier. This book examines the ethical and equity considerations of AI’s growing role in education. It advocates for robust oversight to prevent biases and ensure AI tools enhance learning opportunities for all students without widening the achievement gap.

As we move toward the new academic year, it’s clear that AI will continue to influence every facet of education. We remain committed to providing you with the insights and resources needed to stay ahead in this fast-changing landscape.

Thank you for your continued engagement and support. We look forward to seeing many of you at the Canadian EdTech Summit this fall!

Until next time, stay healthy, stay safe, and keep the digital learning curve steep!

Charlotte, NC (Wednesday, July 31, 2024)—Students across California’s Dunham School District (DSD) will return to classrooms this fall with new resources enhancing science education in their digital backpacks. Called the California Discovery Education Science Experience, these dynamic digital resources supporting students’ natural curiosity were created by global edtech leader Discovery Education specifically to support science education in California school systems. 

“Helping them visualise what working life in 20 years might look like not only provides inspiration for the next steps after life at Glasgow Clyde College, but also offers new possibilities about what roles will be available down the line,” said the college’s principal.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is being harnessed by a Glasgow college to imagine the futuristic jobs its students could potentially be working in 20 years’ time.

The education industry is at a crossroads, grappling with outdated systems and the rapid advancement of technology. Teachers are overwhelmed, students are underprepared for the modern workforce, and the integration of artificial intelligence in classrooms is fraught with challenges. Resistance from educators, ethical concerns, and data privacy issues hinder AI adoption, while the potential for personalized and optimized learning remains tantalizingly out of reach.

A former Brandon University instructor says the school is failing to address the use of artificial intelligence to cheat — something he believes at least half his students did on assignments.

Matt MacDonald taught an introduction to English literature course as a sessional instructor from January to mid-April at the southwestern Manitoba university. By March, he had suspicions students were using AI to complete assignments and began an investigation. He also notified administration, including the dean of arts.

The Quebec government is creating a consultation group to study the pedagogical and ethical issues related to the use of artificial intelligence in universities.

In a news release Tuesday, the province says the group will include representatives from post-secondary institutions, student and union associations, and experts in the use of AI in higher education.

Today, while visiting the Metzger, Yang, Dahn Research Group’s world-class battery laboratory at Dalhousie University, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced $10.15 million in funding to establish Dalhousie University’s Canadian Battery Innovation Centre (CBIC). Minister Wilkinson was joined by the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament for Halifax West.

Algoma University student Muhammad Hassan Jamil returned from an artificial intelligence (AI) camp in Stuttgart, Germany, with a gold medal in his luggage. Students from 7 universities pitched business ideas that use artificial intelligence

Recent reports, including a notable article in The Guardian, by Caitlin Cassidy have shed light on a growing concern: students are seemingly using AI tools inappropriately to complete their academic work in increasing numbers. While this issue is particularly prominent in higher education, it's also becoming apparent in other settings, especially secondary schools. There isn’t solid data anywhere that I know of on the rates of cheating. I have seen figures spanning 10% to 60% of cohorts engaging in inappropriate use. Some won't be convinced by a curated set of anecdotes from disgruntled academics as evidence of a problem. However, other sources corroborate that AI-enabled cheating is very much a critical issue.