Session 1 – Informal Discussion on AI Tools, Canva vs. Canvas, and Classroom Tech

Session Context

  • Opening remarks indicate this is the first session of a series.
  • Participants are gathering materials (e.g.
    • Slides referenced: “the slides on the first slide”
    • Free swag from vendor booths downstairs).
  • Mood is informal; speakers joke about cheering, free items, and volume levels ("that guy needs to just start screaming into the microphone").

Anticipated Learning & Predictions

  • A participant proposes making a “prediction list of all the things you’re about to learn about.”
    • This foreshadows an organized structure for the session despite the casual start.
  • Quote: “Normal is gross. Looks good.”
    • Suggests that embracing novelty—especially with tech tools—will be encouraged.

AI Tools Mentioned

  • “Multiple‐choice assessment” generator

    • Desired feature: automatically create test questions.
    • Tool cited: Brisk (referred to as “Bruce” momentarily); identified as premium/freemium:
    • Freemium model explained: basic tier at $0\$0 with feature limits, premium tier at $X\$X with expanded capacity.

  • Cost–Benefit Question

    • Central concern: “Which one [tool] you need to do the most in before you have to pay?”
    • Highlights teachers’ sensitivity to hidden pricing tiers.
    • Can be formalized as a rough breakeven formula:
      Net Value=Perceived Benefit−Subscription Cost\text{Net Value} = \text{Perceived Benefit} - \text{Subscription Cost}

  • NoMoreAI

    • Ironically branded booth/tool aiming to “get rid of other AI tools.”
    • Speaks to the emerging market of AI governance / AI reduction products.

Design & Publishing Tools

  • Canva vs. Canvas
    • Misunderstanding cleared:
    • Canva: Graphic‐design platform, template driven, print‐shop analogue.
    • Canvas: Learning‐management system (LMS).
    • Joke: “Same thing, safely, give or take an S.”
    • Analogy: “Do you remember Print Shop? … You don’t need a dot‐matrix printer anymore.”
    • Emphasizes Canva’s ease of printing and digital publishing.

Classroom Integration: Lumio

  • Lumio (smartboard & formative‐assessment tool) briefly discussed:
    • Current adoption: “We are not using a lot of Lumio. But they could.”
    • Implies potential growth in interactive whiteboard ecosystems.

Broader Reflections & Concerns

  • Proliferation of AI tools
    • Paradoxical reassurance: “The more AI tools there are, the less likely one of them is going to take over the world.”
    • Refers to the concept of distributed technological risk: diversification may mitigate single‐point catastrophic failure.
  • User Experience & Engagement
    • Sound level complaints (“start screaming into the mic”) underscore the importance of audio engineering in hybrid/online sessions.
    • Cheer culture: encouragement to celebrate speakers (e.g., “You gonna cheer like crazy for her? Linda?”).

Practical Takeaways for Educators

  • Evaluate AI solutions on a freemium spectrum; note where critical features become paywalled.
  • Clarify tool nomenclature (Canva vs. Canvas) to avoid procurement errors.
  • Consider interactive display tools (Lumio) even if current adoption is low; pilot studies can gauge ROI.
  • Stay informed about meta‐AI products (e.g., NoMoreAI) that promise consolidation, governance, or reduction of tool fatigue.

Potential Next Steps / Action Items

  • Draft a “prediction list” of learning objectives before each tech‐training session to anchor focus.
  • Experiment with Brisk (or equivalent) to auto‐generate assessments and document practical workflow savings.
  • Visit vendor booths to collect demos, free trials, and literature for later comparison.
  • Encourage a culture of enthusiasm (cheering, informal banter) to help colleagues feel at ease with new technologies.