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Episode 319: Rob Nelson
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Episode 319: AI, Education, and Moving at Human Speed with Rob Nelson
In this powerful episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with educator, writer, and higher ed tech veteran Rob Nelson to explore the real story behind AI in education. Rob challenges the “move fast and break things” mentality and calls for a more human-paced, thoughtful approach to integrating AI in classrooms.
We explore what it really means to Tinker Toward Utopia, how large language models are reshaping student learning (when used intentionally), and why educators must resist pressure from hype-driven platforms. This episode is packed with clarity, caution, and hope for anyone navigating the fast-moving world of AI in education.
Links to the publications I mentioned.
Henry Farrell's blog, Programmable Mutter
Tinkering Toward Utopia by David Tyack and Larry Cuban
A Voice from the South by Anna Julia Cooper
And, of course, Rob's Blog
Website: ailogblog.com
👇 Timestamps:
00:00 – Welcome & Rob’s background in higher ed
04:00 – AI adoption: Hype vs. reality
09:00 – Duck-Rabbit duality: Two ways to see AI
12:00 – Using LLMs to support—not replace—teaching
25:00 – The danger of humanizing AI too much
28:00 – The AI Fight Club: Polarization in the space
33:00 – Why rushing into AI contracts can backfire
38:00 – Tinkering toward utopia: A better path forward
44:00 – Final reflections & rapid-fire Q&A
🙏 Special thanks to our amazing sponsors who help make these conversations possible:
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Chapters
1. Episode 319: Rob Nelson (00:00:00)
2. Welcome and Introduction (00:00:30)
3. Rob Nelson's Background in EdTech (00:01:32)
4. Technology Adoption in Education (00:04:02)
5. The Two Sides of AI in Education (00:07:38)
6. Duck-Rabbit Metaphor for AI Perception (00:13:16)
7. LLMs in the Classroom Experience (00:22:17)
8. Anthropomorphizing AI and Historical Figures (00:29:36)
9. The AI Fight Club and Polarization (00:34:17)
10. Moving at Human Speed in Technology Adoption (00:37:18)
11. Resource Allocation and Institutional Partnerships (00:43:20)
12. Final Questions and Closing (00:49:06)
326 episodes
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