Toolkits - Term 2: Gems with Gabriel

 Socratic Learning Gems

This is very important as no matter what students do in the future, they need to be able to question and respond appropriately to further themselves.

As teachers, we aim for equity for everyone. This is a great way to help achieve this. Imagine if we could have interviewed Shakespeare and asked him what he was thinking when he wrote Romeo and Juliet or Macbeth.

Oh wow, here is my chance to interview Macbeth or Sir Issac Newton on the laws of Physics.

Remember to do it in PARTS and to create the Gem (or get the Gemini to write its own Gem, huge timesaver). The important part is to front-load the character. AI is a great tool for adaptive learning.

Interview with Sir Issac Newton, using a site and a YouTube video. Then I had it transcribed into a doc.

And What about Shakespeare?

You can add the Gem to the Class site via an image of the historical character. This way, students can interview them in pairs or small groups. Then the Transcript can be put into a Google Doc and added to their blog, or they could create a video of the interview.

Post Grad: Session 3 - Changing Education

Changing Education Environments and Outcomes

Innovating Pedagogy Reports - Summary - I wanted to look at Flipped Classroom page 17, but at the time, the link wasn't working, so my focus was on AI. Here is the video I shared. 

We looked at Changing Education Paradigms - I think I have seen it before, but it is still relevant - schools are not factories 

How does the Governance of AI in our context impact technology and our practice? - Main Ideas

“Regulating AI in higher education demands a comprehensive, nuanced approach that balances technological innovation with ethical considerations. Institutions must establish clear governance frameworks that create robust guidelines for AI usage, focusing on academic integrity, data privacy, and responsible implementation.”

“Good AI governance helps create inclusive environments by setting clear expectations while supporting innovation. Instead of blanket bans or one-size-fits-all rules, [we] need flexible frameworks that work for different disciplines and student needs. [The] key is involving diverse voices in policy development so governance supports, rather than hinders, inclusive teaching and learning.”

Taking Action:

1. Include teaching and learning professionals when creating institutional policies and guiding principles for the procurement and use of AI tools.
2. Make AI governance visible. 
3. Create a generative AI resource hub.
4. Ensure that AI tools comply with institutional privacy and cybersecurity standards.
5. Advocate for institutionally approved AI tools.
6. Create template language for syllabi and course policies.
7. Maintain human-centered teaching and learning. 

2025 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report® Teaching and Learning Edition

Takeaways

Don't give up just because the link doesn't work - Google it!🧐

Check reading in the right place and the right article

Insights 

Divergent Thinking isn't wrong thinking, and we need to encourage it, not destroy it or make it so there is only one way to get an answer. Divergent is not the same as Creative thinking!

Critical Analysis

Reflections

How can I encourage more divergent thinking in class?

Post Grad: Session 2 - Blended Learning

 Digital Fluency, Online and Blended Learning

This week's flip task was to evaluate an online learning tool. I started with Scratch, which I have used previously and enjoy, so it was easy to recommend and identify any negatives. Then I tried Class Companion which a collegue is using, it has some great ideas but not being ableto use with the class made it harder to evaluate. So I am looking forward to learning more witht he class. 

Whakataukī:

Hāpaitia te ara tika, pūmau ai te rangatiratanga mō ngā uri whakatipu

Foster the pathway of knowledge to strength, independence and growth for future generations

What is Online Learning:

• Social Presence - should be able to see others and connect with other learners
• Cognitive Presence - Tasks that stretch and test you, that make you think
• Teaching Presence - Someone who is teaching, guiding or facilitating the group so it doesn't go off on a tangent.

Tips for Teaching Online: Setting expectations, E.g camera on, mics off. With the camera on, you can get to know students better and them you, who are in the background.

Other things to consider when online:

And now it is not the time to wonder whether we use AI, but how we can:

What is digital fluency?

The Moe says

 

This definition comes from tki which has become tahurangi.

Or do we worry about Digital..

• literacy?
• savviness?
• competence?
• capability?
• wisdom?
• fluency?

Whatever the term, what is interesting is how these relate to other 21st-century skills!

What I do find interesting is this:

We also looked at SAMR model - we could use AI to get past substitution and move past using digital tools for enhancement to transformation. 

Modification is where they may investigate one aspect of a map for geography, then share their learning with others and use their inforamtion to enhance their map thorugh discussion.

Redefinition - students take charge of their learning - I can do it a different way. 

It can also be use to reflect - check video

Flipping the Classroom - Do students need to have devices or can they access it different ways.

Takeaways 

Suno - AI Music - creating own songs based on a topic or for relaxing

Where do people get new ideas from:

Ditch - Ditch that Textbook by Matt

Control Alt Achieve - Eric Curts

Insights

• Students want to learn how to use AI to help them learn and how they could use it in future occupations.
• Flipping tasks could help neurodiverse students learn in their own time and space (at home).  Then apply the learning in class with the teacher.

Reflection

I need to stop worrying about what I can do and find out what AI can do and use it to help students achieve and use it more effectively.

Then, looking deeper at the SAMR model, some tasks are built for modification to help front load, then you can get students to collaborate, it could be by investigating different areas and then coming back together and sharing their learning. 

Post Grad: Session 1 - Collaboration

  

This is showing the pathway to Master's.

Creating Connections and Collaboration

I thought it was interesting that the experts couldn't agree on a definition for collaboration. However, for the purpose of this course and our learning, we do need to have an agreed understanding.

This example makes it clear to me:

Takeaways

So we started by making connections with a Padlet map, seeing where people are coming from. Interestingly enough, one of our members was a student teacher in my MLE at a previous school.

It would be interesting to get together with others close by. I am the green mark.

Insights

So, currently we agree that:  Collaboration is when everyone participates together. We are not going off with their own, then bringing it back together and sticking together haphazardly. The important decisions are made together. 

We have a great bunch of people, and after setting some very general goals like handing in assignments on time and expanding my Professional Learning Community. It will be interesting to see if I continue and get my Master's of Contemporary Education.

My words of advice to Tatou (All, including me) -

Google Summit - Workshop 2

 Don't Search for it - Make it with Gemini

Steve Smith - Ex High School Teacher (22yrs)


Generative AI - image
You can use Gemini to simplify or upgrade text / relevel text
Gems are now shareable
A tutor 

Children can ask for help with a task

Create your own Writing Prompt images - these images are copyright-free - no one owns them

Need to be really specific - student
Say what you see -


PARTS - structure for informing Gemini, writing GEMS
Persona - give it a persona, who is it
Aim - what is the aim

Recipient - who is it for
Theme - what is the theme, ice cream, dinosaurs
Structure - how do you want it created, haiku, or persuasive 

Create Using Canvas

Natural Language in Natural Language out - image icecream

You can ask it to score, create a badge
3D simulation of the planets
Make the game faster - add a speed slider, add arrows for direction
Make it look like a phone screen

Can be added to class site/blog - 

Create using Canvas - copy code, open site editor, click embed and paste code.

You can use in many ways:

Name Spinner
Drag and drop
Haiku Generator

Can do for those who need help with language, readers... using the + add specific vocabulary and meanings, relevel if needed e.g. Level 3 NZ curriculum

Getting what you want - Make sure you turn Canvas on - flash or pro will both work, pro will show thinking flash won't.

Deep Research - 5 a month (research assistant)

Deep Research - has a limit
Under 18 and Adult version (free) walled garden - stays inside your kit (Core service under Workspace terms of service)

• Doing a unit on ice cream - Want to know about major developments?
• Unlocking potential STEM and Sports Grants for Auckland School - Doesn't update, need to do another deep research each year
• Do you want to know the best way to do a Post-Grad study?

Other Workshops: 

Keynote Speaker - Eric Curts: Levelling up Every Learner

Reading Helper for Every Student - Chris Betcher

Hipster Google - Eric Curts

Special Guest Mr AI Chatterbot - Eric Curts

Thanks to :

Albany Senior High School
Deploy Learning, working with Google to run events
The 112 schools/organisations here
Google Staff 
Sponsor Everway (Texthelp)

Ice Cream School

Match the term to its definition!

Terms

Definitions

Made with fun by Gemini

Sweet Success!

You matched all

8

terms correctly!

Goggle Summit - Workshop 3

 Hipster Google

 Tools you Probably Never Heard Of - Eric Curts

For Searching

Search Cards 
Emoji Kitchen - Great for writing prompt - students create and use it to get started - or as the turtle grows
Google Translate -
Google Conversions/
Google Calculator
Roll a dice - with a different-sized die

Communication Tools 

Little Language Lessons - No Te Reo/ Pasifika yet
Google Lens - Best on Phone - it will then tell you about the image - E.g. Flowers/plants, translates signs, also built into Google Chrome - Great for translating graphics
Reading Mode -

Creative Tools 

ChromeOS Flex - Turns old Mac and Hp -test it - if it works, it takes less ROM
Time-lapse (built into Google Earth) goes back to 1984- can go back and see the development of the area/location
Google Fonts site - 1800 fonts available, you can search using various categories.

Time-lapse Papakura using Google Earth - Images in 5-year increments

Autodraw
Whisk - Part of Google Labs - Flow - experimental
Androidify - is back - great for about me
Say what you see - Google Arts and Culture
Odd one out - Google Arts and Culture
AI Quest

Music
Music Lab
Music FX

Other Workshops: 

Keynote Speaker - Eric Curts: Levelling up Every Learner

Reading Helper for Every Student - Chris Betcher

Don't Search It - Make it with Gemini - Steve Smith

Special Guest Mr AI Chatterbot - Eric Curts

Thanks to :

Albany Senior High School
Deploy Learning, working with Google to run events
The 112 schools/organisations here
Google Staff 
Sponsor Everway (Texthelp)

Google Summit - Workshop 4

 Special Guest Mr AI Chatterbot

Eric Curts

There are many ways to use AI as a Guest in the Classroom. It is not only available for students to use, but it can also be teacher-led, and students understand more appropriate ways to use AI to enhance an experience rather than do the work for them.

Use AI with Students, exposing them to AI. You can tell Gemini how to behave and to come from a certain perspective, used in this situation, AI can be a guest in the class.

Click on the image to view this resource in full.

AI Interview - ask it to be something that it is not, e.g. a historical figure...
Preload/ prior knowledge before reading the text
Eric has created prompt templates to help inform AI of the role they are undertaking. - inform the AI to strive for accuracy and fairness in your responses, avoiding stereotypes or biases. Not 💯 foolproof

Teach them to be critical thinkers - test before you do in class
E.g. Dame Whina Cooper
Gemini will give additional sources and links to show where the information is from

We asked Dame Whina Cooper (Gemini AI)
Where are you from, and who are your parents?
What is your favourite colour?
The answers were detailed and related back to Maori values.

Games you can create using AI

Choose your own Adventure

Taboo
Emoji Kitchen

AI Debate
Marmite vs Vegemite





AI Co-Writing
Take turns with AI to write paragraphs

Other Workshops: 

Keynote Speaker - Eric Curts: Levelling up Every Learner

Reading Helper for Every Student - Chris Betcher

Don't Search It - Make it with Gemini - Steve Smith

Hipster Google - Eric Curts

Thanks to :

Albany Senior High School
Deploy Learning, working with Google to run events
The 112 schools/organisations here
Google Staff 
Sponsor Everway (Texthelp)

Google Summit - Workshop 1

 Reading Helper for Every Student

Chris Betcher

Building Literacy with Google Read Along inside Google Classroom
Read to or Read with
Article: suggests Parents don't enjoy reading to children - The Guardian.com

Read-along was originally developed for Android phones with children's books. AI listened to the child read and would help, then moved to a web application

Gamified - level up success jingle - Moved into Google Classroom and therefore can assign books and give feedback, and teachers get analytics

Levelled reading and Decodables - Higgety adding more
Common words struggling with, give a summary of accuracy: correct, got with help, didn't try, and tried but did not get it right. Gives CWPM - correct words per minute
You can create groups

Can use Gemini to create books; they can include words students struggle with, but there are no pictures. Only create text which you can download and copy to other places

Due to copyright restrictions, it is not advisable to add text such as School Journals, but it is available only to your class.

Gemini Gem - storybook gives a storyline and name, and will create with images. Pirates in the backyard. You can also listen to the story in Gemini. These are not downloadable or movable.



For more, check out Chris's YouTube playlist, click on the image.

Other Workshops: 

Keynote Speaker - Eric Curts: Levelling up Every Learner

Don't Search It - Make it with Gemini - Steve Smith

Hipster Google - Eric Curts

Special Guest Mr AI Chatterbot - Eric Curts

Thanks to :

Albany Senior High School
Deploy Learning, working with Google to run events
The 112 schools/organisations here
Google Staff 
Sponsor Everway (Texthelp)

Google Summit 2025 - KeyNote Speaker

Level Up Every Learner with AI

Key Note Speaker - Eric Curts

Eric spoke about how it is essential to ensure that we are helping our students level up their learning, and they can do so with the use of AI.

Games where you can level up and the sound of achieving - draws people in, E.g. Super Mario, Pokémon, World of Warcraft

As teachers, we want to provide opportunities for students that they may not have otherwise.

When talking about Levelling Up; 

Eric is referring to not just supporting educators but also EMPOWERING STUDENTS using AI:

In the 80s, Bloom investigated the value of moving the bell curve

We want to move the bell curve to the right (2 sigma problem)
Move 2 percentiles if students had their own personal tutor (AI)

Looking at Summative Achievement

Low Curve (Blue) = Conventional Classroom (1:30)
Middle Curve = Mastery Learning (1:30)
Tall Curve (Red) = Having a Personal Tutor/AI (1:1)




Not only using AI to help us as educators, but also to help students directly.
If we don't empower students, they miss out.

Personalised Learning Power Ups

1. Google Gemini - Using Guided Learning: Gemini can explain the basic information and ask each student questions, bringing them into the discussion and encouraging them to think critically. Using Google Gemini, Teachers can create fun quizzes and games where students want to continue levelling up and provide the opportunity to double-check their knowledge.
2. NotebookLM - Students can add content to NotebookLM and then generate audio overviews, video overviews, mindmaps, quizzes, and flashcards. Methods that help students in the manner they prefer to process information.

Feedback Power Ups

1. Google Gemini GEMS - premade tools such as the Writing Editor - Students can use it to help write, but Gemini asks for information to encourage students to write for themselves.

2. Snorkl provides instant feedback - You can supply a question for students, and they record their voice and whiteboard work to explain their answer. The AI gives feedback on their answer and reasoning.

Creativity Power Ups

Here are a few of the different places you can use AI to be Creative:

• 
  AI Experiments
  
• Goolge Arts & Culture
• Google Labs
• Whisk
• Flow
• Art Remix
• Learning Light
• Music FX
• Musical Canvas
• Gemini Canvas - write code to make a spelling snake game or any type of game you can use to engage and reinforce learning

Accessiblilty

Gemini can have students speak, or they can choose to listen

Gemini Live - on phone - ask it to explain and take a photo of what needs explaining

Google Meet - translation as they speak in their language

Everway - Read Write (we have this) - setting choose voice works on the free version

AI is here to help us like Iron Man; we need to have a person in control

Think back to the teachers you have had. What impact did they have?
- Relationship/Connections, Encouraged and Inspired!

DEMO SLAM

There were many great demonstrations but the best 2 were:

Using Gemini Storybook to create a story with images. 

Eric Curts shared the Gemini AI in Google Classroom, sharing the links and then finding ones we might not know. Click on image to open

KarAIoke

Other Workshops: 

Reading Helper for Every Student - Chris Betcher

Don't Search It - Make it with Gemini - Steve Smith 

Hipster Google - Eric Curts

Special Guest Mr AI Chatterbot - Eric Curts

Thanks to :

Albany Senior High School
Deploy Learning, working with Google to run events
The 112 schools/organisations here
Google Staff 
Sponsor Everway (Texthelp)