Ian McDougall

What is student agency, and why is it important? Student agency is more than offering occasional choices; it’s about cultivating a growth mindset, ownership and accountability.

What if students had more say in how they learn? That's the promise of student agency and it works.
📘 Explore the why + how: knowledgeworks.org/resources/st... #EdChat #StudentVoice #FutureReady

I think there is a subset of students who are self-motivated and intrinsically driven that excel in online learning; however, my experience has been that the majority of students benefit more from in-person learning. #edchat

If I have to pass the same blood born pathogen training every single year to teach, maybe Congress should have to pass a test over the Constitution every year as well. 🤷‍♂️

If they still have them, I enjoy Father Brown, Vera, and Death in Paradise.

As a teacher of AP Human Geography, I feel like it's important to point out that the people making a lot of the current national policy decisions probably would have failed my class based on their policies and arguments. #edusky

This makes me sad. How does this make us better as a people or a nation?

Just spent two days at the Northern Cass Personalized Learning Institute. I presented two well attended sessions and was able to attend some sessions to learn from others. This work fills my cup.

After watching most of the major media outlets fail miserably to do their damn jobs, at least we have @rollingstone.com doing the work of actual journalism.

Isn't it a similar story to the standardized test industry? Create tests designed to show students did poorly, then sell the product, textbook, resources that will get kids to pass the test. Finish up by mobbing the goal post and repeating the process to maximize profits.

One of the wilder political things in recent history is that Project 2025 publicly released a 900 page document laying out their plans to roll back 100 years of human progress and then during the campaign Republicans just said "no we're not :)" and then they won and now they're doing it all.

At Santa Cruz Valley USD, educators embrace productive struggle—for themselves & their students. “We acknowledge students have different needs, but it can be overwhelming. We’re in partnership to identify those needs.” – Megan Padilla 🔗 knowledgeworks.org/resources/sh...

Co-created with educators, the Portrait of a Leader reflects aspirations for leadership to meet the evolving needs of students and communities. knowledgeworks.org/resources/portrait-lea...

A3: I discuss with my students mostly how it will change how some professions or some will become redundant as AI improves. I think it helps provide a frame of reference and relevancy into my class when we use AI. Real world connections. #EduSkyAI

A2: I think being able to use AI as a collaborative partner, not just an answer generator. Students who can leverage AI to improve their own skills and knowledge will be more adaptable and employable in careers that may not even exist yet. #EduSkyAI

I model AI use in front of students, then give them prompts to get them started, encouraging then to continue the dialogue until they get what they want. They learn to craft prompts on their own and use AI to greet to an end goal in a structured environment. #EduSkyAI

Ian from Arizona. EdTech coach and history teacher. Just 30 minutes ago I finished delivering a PD session on AI in instructional design. #EduSkyAI

Green tshirt with Y’all Need History in white lettering

My Friday #HistoryTee
🗺️ 🗃️

I was asked to provide access to the course on the history of American slavery that I posted on Twitter back in 2020, and I'm going to take this opportunity to post the whole thread here with all the links to readings and sources.
threadreaderapp.com/thread/12167...

Voices: I’m a former history teacher. Displaying a Nazi or Confederate flag in my classroom was never an option. “In my time as a history teacher, it never crossed my mind to display a Nazi or Confederate flag when teaching about World War II or the Civil War,” writes Ali Harris in an op-ed.

"When we leave out the hard stuff to protect our feelings, we’re not studying history, we’re studying propaganda."

Teachers get it. #sschat #historyteacher #edusky www.sltrib.com/opinion/comm...

Looking at What’s Ahead for Education KnowledgeWorks publication looks ahead approximately 10 years to examine future possibilities for the future of learning.

The increasing focus on assessment and credentialing demands us to look at what our learning communities need and will need over the next 10 years. Explore future possibilities: knowledgeworks.org/resources/looking-ahea... #FutureOfLearning

Along this line I use AI to help build case studies that allow my students to drive deeply into a topic while making real world connections. #edyskychat

A3: Personalized pathways and allowing students to work at their own pace have allowed me to build in student agency along with building in reflection and growth. I have a long way to go, but starting the process. #edyskychat

A2: Modeling and being open about when to use AI, what ethical and unethical uses are/look like, and creating space for students to explore with guidance. #eduskychat

This! Digital literacy is so important! #eduskychat

A1: critical thinking and problem solving skills. There are so many tools out there, and now AI, students need to be adaptable and able to learn new skills/platforms quickly. #eduskychat

Hey, Ian here! History teacher and edtech coach. #eduskychat

Currently watching a guy struggle to load a couple ikea bookshelves and a few small things into his cyber truck, while I have three beds, a dresser, a vanity, and more in my Tacoma. Embarrassed for this dudes struggle! Not sure this guy has ever loaded a truck in his life and he's starting with this

I find it varies with the tool. And how well you calibrate it. Most people just want to do the work in and have it graded. I like to work with the AI to get it to grade like me. Also, at the end of the day I want a grade in the gradebook to represent my thoughts on the work, not the AI.

Q2: What role should AI play in grading and feedback? #EduSkyAI
@thenerdyteacher.bsky.social