Category: AI and EduProtocols

AI and EduProtocols

Elevating EduProtocols with Depth and Complexity

This past weekend, I presented at the Gifted Fair conference at the Hamilton County Educational Service Center and had the chance to attend a session on depth and complexity. It really got me thinking. Developed by Dr. Sandra Kaplan, depth and complexity is a framework designed to push students beyond surface-level understanding by helping them think like experts in any subject. Too often, when we talk about rigor in education, we focus only on making questions harder. But depth and complexity isn’t just about the types of questions we ask—it’s about changing the tasks we give students.

EduProtocols already help students move beyond memorization and into deeper thinking, but when we pair them with depth and complexity, we help students analyze, synthesize, and evaluate information in meaningful ways. Instead of just answering harder questions, they engage in perspective-taking, making connections, and evaluating historical impact. Here’s how we can enhance thick slides, sketch & tell, and parafly by embedding depth and complexity into each step of the lesson.

Thick Slides + Depth and Complexity

Thick slides go beyond listing facts—students make claims, compare ideas, and provide evidence. But how can we push even deeper?

Ways to add depth and complexity:

  • Big idea: Frame the slide around a larger concept. Instead of just listing facts about the Monroe Doctrine, students answer: how did the Monroe Doctrine shape American foreign policy for the next century?
  • Patterns: Identify recurring themes within a topic. If studying reform movements, students compare abolitionism, women’s rights, and education reform: what patterns exist in the strategies reformers used?
  • Over time: Analyze historical progression. Example: how did political parties evolve from the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans to modern-day parties?
  • Multiple perspectives: Assign different viewpoints. One student may create a slide from Mexico’s perspective on Texas independence, while another represents an American settler’s viewpoint.

Example lesson: The Age of Jackson
Standard thick slide: Students summarize Jacksonian democracy and list key policies.
Depth and complexity layer: Students compare Jacksonian democracy to modern populism, tracking patterns of how political leaders appeal to “the common people.”

Sketch & Tell + Depth and Complexity

Visual representation forces students to process and conceptualize information rather than just memorize it. Adding depth and complexity helps students examine underlying themes and historical connections.

Ways to add depth and complexity:

  • Language of the discipline: Require students to include key vocabulary in their sketches. Example: if sketching manifest destiny, students must label annexation, expansion, and sovereignty.
  • Ethics: Have students create two sketches—one that supports an event and one that critiques it. Example: was the Trail of Tears an unavoidable consequence of expansion, or a violation of Native rights?
  • Rules: Students depict who created the rules and who had to follow them. For instance, sketch how the spoils system benefited Jackson’s supporters but also led to corruption.
  • Across disciplines: Connect ideas across subjects. A history class sketching the Industrial Revolution might also examine how innovations in machinery affected economic systems and scientific advancements.

Example lesson: The Texas Revolution
Standard sketch & tell: Students illustrate one major event in the Texas Revolution.
Depth and complexity layer: Students compare two sketches—one from the perspective of Texan settlers and another from Mexico’s leaders.

Parafly + Depth and Complexity

Parafly already challenges students to improve their paraphrasing skills, but adding depth and complexity ensures that students analyze information rather than just rewrite it.

Ways to add depth and complexity:

  • Rules: Students not only paraphrase a text but also identify what rules are being set or broken. Example: in the Missouri Compromise, students highlight who benefits from the agreement and who is restricted by it.
  • Details matter: After paraphrasing, students explain what was left out and why it might be important. Example: what details are often omitted in textbook discussions of manifest destiny?
  • Ethical considerations: In addition to paraphrasing, students evaluate the morality of a historical decision. Example: was the annexation of Texas justified or an act of aggression?
  • Unanswered questions: Students paraphrase a passage and then write one question that remains unanswered. This helps spark deeper discussion about what the text does not address.

Example lesson: The Oregon Treaty
Standard parafly: Students paraphrase textbook excerpts on the U.S.-British treaty dividing Oregon.
Depth and complexity layer: Students evaluate the treaty’s fairness—who benefited most, and why didn’t the U.S. fight for 54°40’?

Final Thoughts

After attending the session at the Gifted Fair, it became clear that depth and complexity isn’t just about making things “harder”—it’s about giving students the right tools to think critically. When paired with EduProtocols, these strategies:

  • Encourage critical thinking instead of rote memorization
  • Make learning more engaging and relevant
  • Help students connect history to today

Depth and complexity doesn’t have to be a separate strategy—it can be woven into everything we already do. When paired with EduProtocols, it transforms simple activities into deeper, more meaningful learning experiences.

How are you using depth and complexity in your classroom? Let’s keep the conversation going!

AI and EduProtocols

Using Snorkl to Deepen Historical Thinking in the Classroom

One of the biggest challenges in history education is engaging students in meaningful analysis while encouraging collaboration and critical thinking. Enter Snorkl, an AI-powered whiteboard tool that allows students to interact with historical content by annotating images, adding text, drawings, or even recording their voices. By integrating Snorkl with historical inquiry, EduProtocols, and depth and complexity strategies, we can create a dynamic space where students engage deeply with the past.

1. Image & Source Analysis (8 Parts)

A picture is worth a thousand words—but only if students know how to analyze it! Post a primary source image (painting, political cartoon, propaganda poster) on Snorkl and have students:

  • Identify nouns, adjectives, and verbs within the image.
  • Annotate details with text boxes explaining who, what, when, where, and why.
  • Add speech bubbles or thought bubbles from different perspectives within the image.
  • Record a voice memo explaining their interpretation and the historical significance.

This works perfectly with the 8 Parts EduProtocol, where students systematically break down the visual to gain a deeper understanding.

Depth & Complexity:

  • Multiple Perspectives: Consider how different groups would interpret the image.
  • Patterns Over Time: Compare similar images from different eras (e.g., Revolutionary War vs. Civil War propaganda).
2. Think Slide Expansion (Thin Slides to Thick Slides)

Think Slides are a great way to introduce a topic, but what if we took them a step further? Post a Thin Slide prompt (one image, one word) on Snorkl, then challenge students to expand it into a Thick Slide by:

  • Adding three key facts about the topic.
  • Sourcing where their information comes from.
  • Comparing their topic to a related historical event or figure.
  • Leaving voice comments on peers’ slides to encourage discussion.

EduProtocol Tie-In: This follows the Thin Slides method but adds a deeper research component with the Thick Slide approach.

Depth & Complexity:

  • Ethics: Was the event just or unjust?
  • Big Idea: What lasting impact did this have on history?
3. Timeline Construction

History is all about connections. Instead of giving students a pre-made timeline, post randomized images and descriptions of historical events and have students:

  • Drag and arrange them in chronological order.
  • Draw arrows showing cause-and-effect relationships.
  • Add text boxes explaining why some events were turning points.
  • Compare two different events and their outcomes.

Depth & Complexity:

  • Cause & Effect: What led to this event? What were its consequences?
  • Big Idea: How does this event connect to larger themes in history?
4. Historical Debate Board

Engage students in historical argumentation by posting a controversial historical question (e.g., “Was Andrew Jackson a hero or a villain?”). Have students:

  • Add arguments on both sides of the debate.
  • Use Snorkl’s drawing tools to connect related ideas.
  • Record an audio response defending their position.
  • Engage in peer review by responding to others’ claims.

Depth & Complexity:

  • Different Perspectives: How might different groups view this event?
  • Unanswered Questions: What evidence is missing from this debate?
5. Document-Based Investigation

Primary sources can be intimidating, but Snorkl makes them interactive. Upload a primary source document excerpt and ask students to:

  • Highlight key phrases and annotate their meanings.
  • Add images or drawings to represent key ideas.
  • Answer sourcing questions (Who wrote this? When? Why?).
  • Summarize the document in one sentence.

Depth & Complexity:

  • Point of View: What bias does the author have?
  • Trends: How does this document compare to other sources from the same period?
6. Westward Expansion Map Activity (Sketch & Tell)

When studying Westward Expansion, post a blank map of the U.S. on Snorkl and have students:

  • Label newly acquired territories.
  • Use arrows to indicate migration patterns.
  • Draw icons or add images to represent key events (e.g., the Gold Rush, Trail of Tears).
  • Compare the perspective of settlers vs. Native Americans by adding speech bubbles or text boxes.

Using Sketch & Tell, students can create quick illustrations with short written explanations to reinforce their understanding.

Depth & Complexity:

  • Different Perspectives: What were the benefits and consequences of expansion?
  • Across Disciplines: How did technology and economics impact migration?
7. Empathy Map for Historical Figures (Frayer Model Adaptation)

History is filled with complex figures. Post an image of a historical person and have students create an empathy map with four sections:

  • What they see (their environment)
  • What they think (their beliefs)
  • What they feel (emotions, struggles)
  • What they say (quotes or imagined dialogue)

Adapt this using a Frayer Model, where students also add vocabulary and contextual information.

Depth & Complexity:

  • Ethics: Were their actions justified?
  • Big Idea: How does this figure’s story connect to historical trends?

Final Thoughts

By using Snorkl’s interactive whiteboard tools, combined with EduProtocols, we can transform the history classroom into a space where students actively analyze, compare, and collaborate on historical content. These activities not only help students develop historical thinking skills but also allow them to engage with the past in a way that fosters depth, complexity, and critical inquiry.

What are some ways you’ve used interactive tools like Snorkl in your history classroom? Let’s share and collaborate!

AI and EduProtocols

Engaging, Gamified Writing with Short Answer

Writing is one of the most essential skills students need to develop, but getting them to actually enjoy it? That’s another challenge entirely. Short Answer is changing that by turning writing into an engaging, social, and gamified experience. Whether you teach ELA, history, math, or science, this platform is designed to improve student writing without adding hours of grading to your workload.

Short Answer is quickly becoming a go-to tool for teachers looking to make writing instruction more interactive, meaningful, and effective.

How Does Short Answer Work?

At its core, Short Answer helps students develop stronger writing skills through peer comparison, real-time feedback, and social learning. Students complete short writing responses, compare their work to peers, and select which response is stronger based on clear criteria—helping them see what good writing actually looks like in a low-stakes, engaging way.

Teachers can create writing prompts for any subject and integrate them seamlessly into their existing curriculum. The best part? Students want to participate because it feels more like a game than an assignment.

Why Short Answer Works
  1. Authentic Audience → Writing improves when students know their peers will see and evaluate it.
  2. Instant Peer Feedback → Students learn from each other by comparing and discussing writing in real time.
  3. Cross-Curricular Applications → It’s not just for ELA! Teachers across all subjects are using Short Answer to get students thinking, analyzing, and explaining their ideas more clearly. They have Math, Science, and Social Studies prompts ready to go.
  4. AI-Powered Supports → AI-generated sentence stems, outlines, and prompts give students structured support without giving them the full answer.
  5. UDL & Accommodations → Voice typing features allow all students to participate, including those who struggle with typing or have accommodations. It also contains an immersive reader.
  6. Embedded Readings & Images → Teachers can upload pictures and reading files to any question to provide context and scaffolding.
  7. Writing Portfolios → Short Answer automatically compiles student writing into PDFs, making it easy to track growth over time.
  8. Timers for Writing Sprints → Teachers can set a timer for 1, 3, or 5 minutes, helping students focus on short bursts of writing.
How I Use Short Answer in My Classroom

I’ve been incorporating Short Answer into my lessons, and it’s been a game-changer. Here’s how I’ve been using it:

3xPOV – Analyzing American Progress

Students examined the famous American Progress painting and wrote from three different perspectives:

  1. A settler moving west
  2. A Native American witnessing expansion
  3. Columbia – The personification of Manifest Destiny

After writing, students compared responses in Short Answer’s Battle Royale feature, where they voted on the most compelling perspectives. The engagement was off the charts—students were excited to read, critique, and improve their writing.

3xGenre – The Great Pizza Debate

To make writing fun and versatile, I ran 3xGenre using pizza as the topic.

  1. Narrative Writing – Students wrote a short, creative story about pizza in 3 minutes.
  2. Informational Writing – They wrote an explanatory piece on how pizza is made or its history.
  3. Argument Writing – The final challenge: Which pizza topping is the best?

The students were so into it that they wanted one more round—so we debated which pizza chain is superior. Using Short Answer for feedback and comparisons kept them engaged, competitive, and improving.

EduProtocols That Work with Short Answer

Short Answer naturally fits with EduProtocols, giving students structured, high-rep writing practice that’s engaging and effective. Here are a few that work perfectly:

  1. 3xGenre → Students write narrative, informative, and argumentative responses on the same topic, seeing how writing purpose changes.
  2. 3xPOV → Students write from three different perspectives, then compare and refine.
  3. 3xCER → Students write a claim three times, each time strengthening their argument.
  4. CyberSandwich Summaries → Students read, summarize, compare, and improve their responses based on peer examples.
  5. Random Emoji Power Paragraph (REPP) → Short Answer’s timer feature makes it easy to run quick writing sprints where students incorporate random emojis into their responses.
  6. Parafly → A fast-paced paraphrasing writing protocol that improves writing fluency and speed.
Why This Matters in an AI World

AI tools like ChatGPT aren’t replacing writing—they’re changing how we need to teach it. Short Answer makes writing interactive, social, and structured, ensuring students still develop their own thinking while learning to refine and critique writing.

Instead of fighting AI, we should use tools like Short Answer to:
✅ Keep writing authentic and engaging
✅ Help students compare their work to exemplars
✅ Provide scaffolds without giving answers
✅ Build stronger, more independent thinkers

If you’re looking for a game-changing way to get students writing, revising, and improving without dreading the process, Short Answer is worth checking out.

📌 Sign up for free trial and start using it in your classroom today: Short Answer

Writing doesn’t have to feel like a chore—for teachers or students. With Short Answer, it becomes a collaborative, competitive, and engaging experience that builds stronger writers in any subject.

AI and EduProtocols

Teaching in an AI-Driven World: Adapting, Not Resisting

When CDs, cassettes, and digital streaming entered the music scene, they didn’t kill live concerts—they transformed them. Artists had to rethink their performances, adding more visual spectacle, audience interaction, and unique live experiences that couldn’t be replicated by simply listening to an album at home. Similarly, photography didn’t make painting obsolete—it forced artists to innovate. Impressionism, modernism, and abstract art emerged because photography handled realism better.

The lesson? When technology changes, we don’t abandon what we do—we adapt.

Now, AI is reshaping education. Students can ask ChatGPT for answers, generate essays, and get instant explanations for concepts. If we continue teaching the same way we did before AI, we risk making our classrooms irrelevant. Instead of resisting, we need to rethink lesson design, focus on critical thinking, and embrace strategies that make learning more interactive, meaningful, and student-driven.

Rethinking Lesson Design in the Age of AI

Just like concerts became more immersive and art evolved beyond realism, our lessons need to shift from simple content delivery to engagement, creation, and analysis. Here’s how:

1️⃣ Prioritize Higher-Order Thinking

  • If students can Google or AI-generate an answer in seconds, we need to ask better questions. Instead of “What were the causes of the War of 1812?” ask, “If you were an advisor to Madison, how would you justify going to war?”
  • Shift from fact recall to argument-building, analysis, and problem-solving.

2️⃣ Make Learning Active

  • Move beyond passive note-taking. Use strategies where students do, create, and explain rather than just memorize.
  • Example: Instead of a worksheet on Jacksonian Democracy, students can use a 2xPOV activity—writing from both the perspective of a Jackson supporter and a critic.

3️⃣ Teach with AI, Not Against It

  • AI isn’t going away, so we should show students how to use it effectively—as a research tool, for feedback, and to refine their thinking rather than just generate quick answers.
  • Example: Have students draft a paragraph, run it through Class Companion for feedback, and revise based on AI suggestions.

EduProtocols That Fit the Future

Teaching in an AI-driven world doesn’t mean we need students to use AI all the time—it means we need to design lessons that push beyond what AI can do. Here are a few EduProtocols that naturally work in a world where instant answers are at their fingertips:

  • Fast & Curious (Gimkit/Quizizz) → AI can provide definitions and summaries, but students still need retrieval practice. This strategy ensures repetition, reinforcement, and real understanding—not just quick lookups.
  • Thin Slides (Padlet) → Students must create quick, one-word, one-image explanations and then present their ideas in 8 seconds or less. This forces concise, critical thinking—something AI-generated responses can’t do for them.
  • MiniReport → Instead of copying an AI-generated summary, students compare two different sources to analyze perspectives, evaluate bias, and construct an argument.
  • Sketch & Tell → Forces students to translate complex information into visuals, proving they truly understand a concept rather than just regurgitating words.
  • Parafly (Socrative/Padlet) → AI can provide summaries, but students still need to develop their own voice. This activity builds paraphrasing skills by having students rewrite key information in their own words—a critical skill in an AI-driven world.

These strategies go beyond recall and require students to think, create, and engage, ensuring that AI remains a tool—not a replacement—for deep learning.

The Bottom Line: Change is Inevitable, So Let’s Adapt

Technology has never eliminated the need for human creativity, thinking, or teaching—it has forced us to evolve. AI is doing the same to education. The key isn’t banning AI but designing learning experiences that AI can’t replicate.

Concerts didn’t die because of CDs; they became bigger and better experiences. Art didn’t disappear because of photography; it became more expressive and boundary-pushing.

Education won’t disappear because of AI, either. But it’s on us as teachers to rethink how we engage students, challenge them, and prepare them for a future where knowing information is less important than knowing what to do with it.

AI and EduProtocols

Upcoming Events: EduProtocols, AI, and More!

The next few weeks are packed with game-changing professional development opportunities! Whether you’re looking to level up your EduProtocols game, integrate AI into your lessons, or explore the future of education, these sessions will provide hands-on, practical strategies you can take back to your classroom immediately.

March 1 – Catalina Lesson Mixer (EduProtocols Plus) 🎤

💡 “Just like Derek and Brennan had to combine their skills to become Prestige Worldwide, I’m bringing TWO epic sessions to the Catalina Lesson Mixer!”
No wine mixing here—just pure EduProtocols magic!

🔥 What I’m presenting:
✅ Parafly with Socrative – Helping students develop paraphrasing skills through a fast-paced, scaffolded activity with instant feedback.
✅ Archetypes with EdPuzzle – Blending storytelling and history to engage students while strengthening their ability to analyze and categorize characters and leaders.
✅ Thin Slides with Padlet – A powerful, student-led strategy that encourages quick synthesis, creativity, and class-wide discussion with real-time feedback.

👀 18 sessions = More room for activities!
💰 $24 for non-EP members, FREE for EduProtocols members!
📅 Register now: tinyurl.com/EPCatalina

🔹 Why you should join: If you’re looking for high-impact strategies that reduce teacher workload while boosting student engagement, this is a must-attend event. You’ll leave with lesson ideas you can run the next day in class.

March 8 – Gifted Fair at Hamilton County ESC

This event is designed to support families, educators, and gifted students with valuable insights and engaging, hands-on learning experiences.

🔹 What I’m presenting:
✅ EduProtocols 8Parts – A structured approach to breaking down complex texts and historical documents into easy-to-understand sections.
✅ 3xGenre – A game-changer for writing instruction, helping students explore topics through multiple genres, boosting depth, creativity, and writing skills.

💡 Perfect for: Teachers looking for practical ways to support gifted and high-achieving students while making instruction more interactive and personalized.

🛍️ Explore vendors from local organizations offering after-school and summer enrichment programs.
🎓 Educators can earn up to 3 Gifted HQPD hours by attending special classroom teacher sessions.
👋 We can’t wait to see you!

📅 Saturday, March 8, 2025
🕘 9:00 AM – 12:10 PM
📝 Registration: 8:30 – 8:50 AM (Register Here – Link)

March 15 – EduProtocols Plus Live Show: Rewired with AI 🔥

AI isn’t replacing great teaching—it’s enhancing it.

Join me and Andrew Earl as we rethink what’s possible in the classroom with AI-powered EduProtocols. This session is all about maximizing efficiency, improving engagement, and reducing teacher stress while keeping students at the center of learning.

💡 What we’ll cover:
✅ How to combine EduProtocols with AI tools to streamline lesson planning and grading
✅ Using AI for scaffolding and differentiation
✅ AI as a tool for feedback and revision

📅 March 15, 12 PM ET / 9 AM PST
📍 EduProtocols Plus Live Show (Online)

🔹 Why you should join: If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by AI or unsure of how to integrate it effectively into your teaching, this session will provide you with clear, actionable strategies that work in any classroom.

April 3-4 – Sequoia Con 2025 (Virtual) 🌲

I’m honored to be speaking at Sequoia Con 2025, exploring “Preparing for an AI-Everywhere World.”

This virtual conference, hosted by EverGreen AI Education, is all about AI, innovation, and the future of learning.

💡 What I’ll be covering:
✅ How AI is changing education, assessment, and student learning
✅ How teachers can prepare for an AI-integrated classroom
✅ Ethical considerations and best practices for AI use in schools

📅 April 3-4, 2025
📍 Virtual via Zoom
💰 Save $25 with code: TREES!

🔹 Why you should join: Whether you’re a teacher, administrator, or curriculum specialist, this event will provide insights into how AI is shaping education and what we can do to stay ahead of the curve.

🚀 Join me at these events!

Whether you’re looking for ready-to-use EduProtocols, AI-powered lesson design, or insights into the future of education, these sessions are packed with practical strategies and hands-on learning.

Hope to see you there!

AI and EduProtocols

Ohio EduProtocols Roadshow: A Game-Changer for Teachers

The Ohio EduProtocols Roadshow on October 25, 2024, at the Northern Buckeye Education Council’s headquarters brought together educators from Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, and West Virginia for an unforgettable day of learning, collaboration, and inspiration. This transformative professional development event showcased the power of EduProtocols to revolutionize teaching, engage students, and create lasting impacts in classrooms, schools, and districts.

EduProtocols in Action

The day featured a lineup of authors and hotshots who modeled EduProtocols in real time, helping attendees see how these strategies could transform their classrooms:

Jon Corippo, co-founder of EduProtocols, energized the room with his dynamic presentations on Fast and Curious and Random Emoji Paragraph. Teachers saw how these strategies transform formative assessments into interactive, game-like experiences and writing tasks into creative, student-centered activities.

Adam Moler, co-author of the EduProtocols Field Guide Social Studies Edition, engaged participants with his session on Sketch and Tell-O. He demonstrated how blending visual storytelling with core content gives students meaningful opportunities to express understanding in innovative ways while building their creativity and engagement.

Dominic Helmstetter, a national presenter and EduProtocols hotshot, wowed attendees with his session on Thin Slides. He showed how students could synthesize information and develop presentation skills in under five minutes, sparking both creativity and confidence while making learning dynamic and efficient.

Dr. Randall Sampson, an EduProtocols champion, brought a unique perspective to the event by offering CEUs for participants and sharing compelling student growth data tied to EduProtocols. Randall highlighted how these strategies have led to measurable improvements in academic achievement, engagement, and classroom efficiency. His session inspired educators to think critically about how EduProtocols can foster long-term growth and success for their students.

Real-Time Insights: Addressing Educator Challenges

One of the most valuable aspects of the Roadshow was its emphasis on addressing real-world classroom challenges with practical solutions. At the end of the Roadshow, a Padlet board was set up and used for participants to ask questions and have them answered in real time. Key questions raised during the sessions highlighted the adaptability and effectiveness of EduProtocols in diverse settings:

  1. Grading Simplified Yet Impactful
    A recurring question from attendees was: “How do I grade these activities?” Presenters emphasized keeping it simple. Most EduProtocols are designed for formative assessment during the week, relying on pass/fail or completion checks. Summative assessments, like final Thin Slides or Sketch and Tell-O presentations, can involve clear, rubric-based grading. For example, participation-based grading (e.g., completing 80% of Gimkit or Sketch tasks) or letter grades for final synthesis projects ensures accountability while reducing teacher workload.

“EduProtocols aren’t about piling on work for teachers or students—they’re about making learning visible and simplifying assessment in meaningful ways.”

  1. Tools That Support Engagement and Collaboration
    Participants were curious about the best tools to use with EduProtocols. Presenters highlighted versatile platforms like Google Slides for Thin Slides, Padlet for Iron Chef-style collaboration, and Curipod for interactive, AI-driven lessons. These platforms make it easy for students to share, engage, and collaborate, fostering a classroom environment where every voice matters.

“The right tools make EduProtocols seamless and accessible. It’s about finding what works best for your students and classroom needs.”

  1. Creating a Safe, Collaborative Classroom Culture
    A significant topic was how to foster a safe space where students feel confident sharing their work. Strategies included:

Using anonymous tools like Curipod for responses to avoid popularity bias.
Keeping activities fast-paced and light to reduce anxiety.
Reinforcing classroom norms and shutting down negativity quickly.
“EduProtocols build confidence because they focus on the process, not perfection. Students feel safe to try, share, and grow.”

  1. Balancing Engagement with Accountability
    Educators asked: “What about students who only work if it’s graded?” The experts reassured them that the engagement built into EduProtocols—like the competition in Fast and Curious or the creativity in Sketch and Tell-O—naturally motivates students. For those who still struggle, incorporating visible progress, like tracking Gimkit scores or showcasing Thin Slides, can provide the accountability they need.

“When students see their progress in real time and know their work matters, engagement follows.”

A Teacher’s Perspective

The collaborative, solution-driven nature of the event resonated with educators. Angie Behnfeldt, a teacher from Stryker Schools, shared:

“I attended alone since EduProtocols are not yet widely known in my district, but now I can’t wait to share what I’ve learned. The testimonies, anecdotes, and data shared throughout the day were incredible. You’ve inspired all of us to roll up our sleeves and start teaching better while working less!”

Transform Your Teaching

The Ohio EduProtocols Roadshow wasn’t just another professional development session—it was a movement. Teachers left with practical tools, actionable strategies, and a renewed sense of purpose. The modeling of EduProtocols in real time showed how these tools can be adapted to any subject or grade level, creating classrooms where students are engaged, teachers are energized, and learning is visible.

“Watching educators light up as they realized how these tools could transform their classrooms reminded me why I love this work.” – Dominic Helmstetter

Don’t miss your chance to experience the EduProtocols Roadshow and join a growing community of educators transforming teaching and learning. Visit the EduProtocols Plus site and mark your calendar for the next event and prepare to unlock the full potential of your classroom!

AI and EduProtocols

Brain-Book-Buddy-Boss: A Winning Review Strategy

Brain-Book-Buddy-Boss-Link

If you’re anything like me, you’re always on the lookout for strategies that actually work in the classroom—ones that not only engage students but also lead to real results. On my way to school last week, I tuned into Gene Tavernetti’s podcast, Better Teaching: Only Stuff That Works, where he had Blake Harvard as a guest. Harvard shared an approach that I knew I had to try: Brain-Book-Buddy. I ended up adding a little twist—Boss. It turned out to be the perfect way to review our English Colonies unit.

Here’s how it worked, and why it was such a game-changer for my classroom.

Step 1: Brain—Retrieval Practice That Sets the Tone

I started the review by focusing on retrieval practice. Retrieval is one of the most powerful strategies for learning—it forces students to pull information from memory, strengthening their ability to recall it later. For the “Brain” part, I had students close their Chromebooks and use their brains to answer a set of questions on the English Colonies. I gave them 10 minutes to jot down everything they could remember, emphasizing that this was just about their own recall—no notes, no devices, just their memory.

This approach was a big shift for some students, but it worked wonders. Having them rely on their brains alone set the tone for the rest of the lesson and put the emphasis on thinking instead of searching. They quickly realized that they knew more than they thought—and it was great to see that confidence building.

Step 2: Book—Reviewing and Filling the Gaps

Once the 10 minutes were up, I had the students highlight any questions they couldn’t answer or were unsure about. That’s when we moved to “Book” mode. This time, the Chromebooks came back out, but I made it clear—no Googling! We’re all about using our own resources, so students had to find the information using their class notes and any EduProtocols we had already practiced, like Cyber Sandwich or Thin Slides, to review the material.

I walked around the room to make sure everyone was sticking to the task and using the notes they had created throughout the unit. This was a chance for them to practice good habits—turning to their own resources instead of the internet—and it worked! By using their own notes, they were reinforcing those study skills that will serve them far beyond this unit.

Step 3: Buddy—Collaborating to Deepen Understanding

Next, it was time for the “Buddy” step. Students paired up and discussed the questions they’d highlighted and the answers they’d found. This collaborative element allowed them to fill in any gaps they still had and bounce ideas off one another. It’s amazing how much students learn from each other when given the space to collaborate. They were actively teaching each other and, in turn, solidifying their own understanding.

Step 4: Boss—Clearing Up Misconceptions

The final step was “Boss”—and that’s where I came in. After they had a chance to work through the material with their buddies, it was time for them to bring any remaining questions or misconceptions to me. I stood at the front of the room, and they fired off their questions one by one. I loved this part because it gave me a window into what they were still unsure about. It also gave the students the chance to clarify anything they hadn’t quite nailed down yet.

I didn’t tell them upfront that we were going through a “Brain-Book-Buddy-Boss” structure—I taught it as we went along. This kept them engaged and curious, wondering what step was coming next. By the end of the lesson, they were fully onboard and loving the process.

The Results: A Massive Improvement

The proof was in the pudding—or in this case, in the scores. We wrapped up the review with a Gimkit assessment, and I was thrilled with the results: class averages came in at 92%, 88%, 87%, and 86%. This was a huge improvement from the 60%-70% range we saw last week. And the best part? I had the students put their papers away for the Gimkit, so they had to rely solely on their brains again. This kind of consistency in retrieval practice really paid off.

Why It Works: Blending Engagement and Retrieval Practice

What I love about the Brain-Book-Buddy-Boss strategy is that it hits multiple key elements of effective teaching. It combines retrieval practice, collaboration, and direct instruction all in one lesson. The structured approach makes it easy for students to stay engaged, and the different phases ensure they’re using their knowledge in multiple ways—solo, in pairs, and with teacher support.

Retrieval practice isn’t new, but finding ways to make it engaging can be challenging. This method adds layers that not only make it fun but also deepen understanding. I’ll definitely be using this strategy again, and I’m excited to see how it can be adapted for other units or subjects.

Final Thoughts

Whether it’s for a review or an introduction, Brain-Book-Buddy-Boss is a winner. It’s simple, effective, and most importantly, it helps students learn how to rely on their own knowledge and resources. After seeing the results with my English Colonies unit, I know this will become a staple in my classroom.

If you haven’t tried it yet, give it a go—your students will love the structure, and you’ll love the results.

AI and EduProtocols

Motivating Students to Work: How EduProtocols Can Help

Motivating students to engage deeply with their work is one of the most important goals in the classroom. Too often, students view learning as a series of tasks to complete, focusing on getting the “right answer” instead of developing critical thinking, collaboration, and creativity. But motivation doesn’t have to be elusive. With EduProtocols, teachers can foster a classroom culture where students are engaged, confident, and motivated to succeed. By aligning EduProtocols with principles from Self-Determination Theory (SDT), we can tap into students’ intrinsic motivation, giving them the tools to take ownership of their learning.

Autonomy: Letting Students Control Their Learning

Self-Determination Theory emphasizes that students are more motivated when they feel autonomous in their learning. Autonomy is all about giving students the power to make choices in how they approach a task. In the classroom, this translates to offering students control over how they express their understanding.

Protocols like Iron Chef are great for fostering autonomy. In Iron Chef, students are given a set of resources and a limited time to create a collaborative presentation on a topic. They have creative freedom in how they organize and present the information. Whether they choose visuals, bullet points, or videos, students are empowered to decide how they showcase their learning. This autonomy not only makes learning more engaging but also helps students feel more connected to the material.

Similarly, 8pARTS, which asks students to analyze historical images or documents by identifying key elements like people, actions, and objects, encourages them to think critically about what they observe. Students are not just passively receiving information—they are actively interpreting and presenting it in a way that makes sense to them. This fosters a sense of ownership and personal investment in the task.

Competence: Building Confidence with Small Wins

Another crucial element of motivation, according to SDT, is the need for competence. Students are more motivated when they feel capable of achieving success and see measurable growth. This is where protocols like Fast and Curious and Thick Slides excel.

Fast and Curious involves using platforms like Gimkit or Quizizz to give students rapid, repeatable assessments on the material. Students answer questions, receive immediate feedback, and try again. With each round, they see their scores improve, reinforcing their belief that they can succeed through effort. This constant progress fosters a strong sense of competence, which keeps students motivated to continue learning.

Thick Slides, on the other hand, build competence by asking students to summarize and present their understanding of complex topics on a single slide. This might sound simple, but the depth of thought required to condense information into key points, visuals, and captions encourages deeper understanding. Students can see their knowledge grow as they complete these presentations, and that visible improvement reinforces their belief in their own abilities.

Relatedness: Fostering Connections through Collaboration

Motivation thrives when students feel connected to each other and their teacher. SDT points to the importance of relatedness, which is the feeling that we belong to a group and that our contributions matter. EduProtocols are designed to promote collaboration and shared learning, helping students feel connected and engaged.

CyberSandwich is an ideal protocol for promoting relatedness. In this activity, students work in pairs to read a text and take notes independently, then come together to compare their notes and write a joint response. The collaborative nature of CyberSandwich makes it perfect for fostering discussion, teamwork, and connection. Students are not only learning from the content but also from each other. They gain a deeper understanding of the material and develop stronger relationships with their peers in the process.

Likewise, Iron Chef promotes group collaboration as students work together to create a presentation. The shared responsibility of completing the task builds a sense of community and encourages peer learning. When students feel like they’re part of a team and that their contributions matter, they are much more likely to stay engaged and motivated.

Breaking the “Right Answer” Mindset: Encouraging Critical Thinking

One of the most significant hurdles to motivation is the “right answer” mindset, where students believe their role is to find the correct answer and move on. This mindset limits creativity and critical thinking, turning learning into a rote exercise. EduProtocols shift the focus from simply getting the right answer to exploring, analyzing, and creating.

8pARTS and Thick Slides both challenge students to go beyond surface-level answers. In 8pARTS, students examine images or documents and make inferences about their meaning. There’s no single right answer—students must think critically, ask questions, and provide reasoning for their interpretations. This kind of task deepens their engagement with the material because they are actively exploring, rather than passively consuming, content.

With Thick Slides, students synthesize their learning into a single, cohesive slide. This requires them to distill key ideas, add supporting visuals, and explain their thinking. There’s no one right way to do this, which encourages students to think critically about what they’ve learned and how to communicate it effectively.

Repetition and Reflection: Deepening Understanding

One of the key strategies for building long-term motivation is giving students opportunities for repetition and reflection. Research from The Oxford Handbook shows that people are more motivated when they have multiple chances to improve and can reflect on their progress.

Fast and Curious exemplifies this approach by giving students several chances to master content through repeated quiz rounds. Each time they take the quiz, they see their scores improve, and they get immediate feedback that helps them understand where they need to improve. This repetition solidifies their learning and motivates them to keep trying, as they can clearly see their growth.

Reflection is equally important. Thick Slides and CyberSandwich offer students opportunities to reflect on what they’ve learned and articulate their thinking. In Thick Slides, students not only present information but also explain their reasoning, which encourages them to think more deeply about the material. CyberSandwich pushes students to compare their understanding with a peer’s, fostering discussion and reflection that strengthens their grasp of the topic.

Conclusion: Motivating Students with EduProtocols

By tapping into the principles of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, EduProtocols provide a clear path to motivating students. These protocols break down learning into manageable, engaging activities that build confidence, foster collaboration, and encourage critical thinking. With EduProtocols, students move from passive participants to active learners, motivated by their own progress and the support of their peers.

Incorporating EduProtocols like Iron Chef, Fast and Curious, CyberSandwich, and Thick Slides into the classroom creates an environment where students are motivated not just to complete tasks, but to engage deeply with the material. When students feel autonomous, competent, and connected, they aren’t just learning—they’re thriving.

AI and EduProtocols

Crafting a Standards-Aligned, Skill-Focused Unit with AI Collaboration

A Step-by-Step Guide to Designing a 5-6 Day Unit on Native American History: A Collaborative Journey with AI

Introduction: As educators, we constantly strive to create units that not only align with educational standards but also address the specific needs and skills of our students—especially those with IEPs. Balancing these demands while keeping lessons engaging and accessible can be challenging. In this blog post, I’ll walk you through how I collaborated with AI (ChatGPT) to develop a comprehensive 5-6 day unit on Native American history, tailored specifically for my 8th-grade students. This unit focuses on student deficits, builds critical skills, aligns seamlessly with Ohio’s educational standards, and incorporates the rich local history of Clermont County.

Step 1: Identifying Student Needs and Establishing the Unit’s Foundation

To start, I needed to ensure that the unit would directly address the literacy and comprehension deficits my students face. Many of my 8th graders have IEPs and are working below grade level, so it was crucial that the lessons be both accessible and skill-focused.

  • Prompt: “Analyze these literacy skills my 8th graders need to work on and pull out a DELTAS skill that correlates.”
  • Context & Results: ChatGPT identified that my students needed to work on skills such as finding the main idea and understanding vocabulary in context. It then correlated these skills with the DELTAS framework, which helped me focus the unit on building essential literacy skills. This step provided a clear foundation for the unit, ensuring that each lesson would target these specific deficits.

Step 2: Aligning with Standards

With student needs in mind, the next step was to ensure that the unit was aligned with Ohio’s educational standards for 8th-grade social studies, specifically focusing on Native American history.

  • Prompt: “Based on Ohio’s standards, what should 8th graders know about American Indians?”
  • Context & Results: ChatGPT analyzed Ohio’s standards and highlighted key content areas, such as Native American history in the context of colonization, human systems, and geography/conflict. This alignment was crucial in making sure that the unit was not only skill-focused but also met the required academic benchmarks. By tying the lessons to these standards, I could ensure that my students were gaining the necessary knowledge while also working on their literacy skills.

Step 3: Structuring the Unit Around a Compelling Question

To drive inquiry and keep students engaged, I needed a compelling question that would guide the entire unit. This question would be broken down into daily supporting questions, each addressing a different aspect of the topic.

  • Prompt: “Organize this over 4 days with an overall compelling question for 8th grade; each day needs a supporting question. I teach 8th graders mostly with special needs and IEPs. I also teach 65-minute classes.”
  • Context & Results: ChatGPT suggested structuring the unit around the compelling question, “How did the Native American tribes of Clermont County, Ohio, adapt to their environment and interact with European settlers?” It then provided supporting questions for each day, which I adjusted to extend the unit to 5-6 days. These questions broke down the overarching theme into manageable daily lessons, each building on the last. This structured approach ensured that students could progressively deepen their understanding of the material.

Unit Overview:

  • Day 1: What were the distinct ways of life of the Native American tribes in Clermont County, Ohio, before European colonization?
  • Day 2: How did European exploration and colonization disrupt the lives of Native American tribes in Clermont County, Ohio?
  • Day 3: How did cultural biases and U.S. policies contribute to the displacement of Native American tribes in Clermont County, Ohio?
  • Day 4: How did the geography of North America contribute to conflicts between Native American tribes and European settlers?
  • Day 5 (and possibly Day 6): How can we use what we’ve learned to understand the broader impact of colonization on Native American tribes? (This final day focuses on synthesis and assessment.)

Step 4: Combining Pre-Existing Readings with Textbook Style

I had several pre-existing readings about Native Americans in Clermont County that I wanted to use. However, I needed these readings to be consistent with the style and tone of the McGraw Hill textbook sections my students were familiar with. This consistency would make the materials more accessible and ensure a smoother learning experience.

  • Prompt: “What do you notice about the style of writing for these textbook sections?” After receiving the analysis, I followed up with, “Take each one of these readings and match the style of the previous readings/lessons. Combine the information from both—I want students to understand how local American Indians adapted to their environment and interacted with Europeans.”
  • Context & Results: ChatGPT analyzed the textbook style and identified key features such as clear language, bolded vocabulary, and structured headings. It then blended these features with the content from my pre-existing readings about local Native American history. The result was a set of readings that were both consistent with the textbook and tailored to the specific historical context of Clermont County. This approach ensured that students could easily transition between different texts without losing comprehension.

Step 5: Consistent Use of EduProtocols

To build confidence and ensure that students were prepared for the final assessment, I wanted to use EduProtocols consistently throughout the unit. This would allow students to become familiar with the formats and expectations of these protocols.

  • Prompt: “How can we keep the EduProtocols consistent so that the final assessment can use that EduProtocol to show what they know?” Followed by, “Take Day 1 of the unit and add more details to it—vocab and activities.”
  • Context & Results: ChatGPT suggested integrating EduProtocols like Thin Slides, Sketch and Tell, and Iron Chef into each day’s lesson. By using these protocols consistently, students had repeated opportunities to practice and master the formats. This consistency helped build their confidence, ensuring they were well-prepared for the final assessment.

Daily EduProtocol Integration:

  • Day 1: Thin Slides: Students create a slide focusing on how one tribe in Clermont County adapted to their environment. This introduces them to summarizing key ideas visually.
  • Day 2: Jigsaw Reading and Mapping Activity: Instead of a full Iron Chef, students engage in a Jigsaw reading activity followed by an interactive map session to explore how European colonization impacted specific tribes.
  • Day 3: Sketch and Tell: Students draw a picture and write a brief explanation about how cultural biases and U.S. policies affected Native American tribes, reinforcing the connection between visuals and text.
  • Day 4: Thin Slides or Mapping Activity: Depending on student needs, they either revisit Thin Slides or continue with mapping activities to understand how geography influenced conflicts.
  • Day 5 (and possibly Day 6): Final Assessment – Iron Chef or Sketch and Tell: Students choose between creating an Iron Chef presentation or a series of Sketch and Tell pages that synthesize what they’ve learned throughout the unit.

Step 6: Scaffolding and Success Criteria

Recognizing that many of my students require additional support, I needed clear, plain language success criteria to guide them through the EduProtocols. This would ensure that all students, including those with IEPs, understood what was expected of them and how they could succeed.

  • Prompt: “Create a simple, plain language success criteria aligned with the compelling and supporting questions that can help students with IEPs understand the Sketch and Tell or Iron Chef.”
  • Context & Results: ChatGPT provided clear, scaffolded success criteria that were easy for students to understand. This included expectations for each activity, such as ensuring that each Thin Slide had a clear image and word that connected directly to the day’s question, or that each Sketch and Tell page clearly depicted the impact of policies or cultural biases. These criteria helped students focus on the key objectives of each lesson and understand how to achieve success.

Step 7: Reflection and Continuous Improvement

Throughout the unit, I used reflective prompts to ensure that the plan remained focused on student deficits, skills, and standards alignment. I made adjustments based on AI’s suggestions, ensuring that each activity was purposeful and accessible.

  • Prompt: “Analyze this entire conversation and create a well-written, clear, and concise blog post walking teachers through how to set up this unit.”
  • Context & Results: ChatGPT provided a cohesive overview of the entire process, reflecting on how each step contributed to the overall success of the unit. This reflection allowed me to ensure that the unit was cohesive, effective, and aligned with both student needs and educational standards. It also emphasized the importance of adaptability and continuous improvement in lesson planning.

Conclusion: Collaborating with AI allowed me to design a 5-6 day unit on Native American history that is not only standards-aligned and skill-focused but also tailored to the specific needs of my students, including those with IEPs. Each step—from identifying student needs to structuring the unit around a compelling question, blending local history with textbook materials, and integrating consistent EduProtocols—was carefully planned to ensure a cohesive and effective learning experience. The clear success criteria and continuous reflection throughout the process further enhanced the unit’s accessibility and impact.

This experience highlights the potential of AI as a powerful collaborative tool in education, supporting teachers in creating units that are both engaging and academically rigorous, while also being responsive to the diverse needs of their students.

AI and EduProtocols

Beyond the Textbook: Strengthening Core Literacy Skills in Social Studies

Last week I gave a Literacy Skills entry assessment. I used AI to analyze the results…

The literacy skills analysis reveals that 8th grade students need to improve in several key areas. Finding the Main Idea remains a challenge, with students struggling to consistently identify central themes across texts. Understanding Vocabulary in Context shows fair performance, but there’s room for improvement in deriving word meanings from context. Students demonstrate moderate ability in Recognizing Important Details, but often miss key information or focus on less relevant points. While Comparing Perspectives is fair to good, students could benefit from more practice in contrasting viewpoints. Making Inferences needs significant improvement, as students struggle to draw conclusions beyond explicitly stated information. Lastly, Making a Claim with Evidence is identified as the weakest area, with students failing to make clear claims or support ideas with specific textual evidence. These findings suggest a need for targeted instruction and practice in these critical literacy skills to enhance students’ overall comprehension and analytical abilities in social studies.

Next, I asked AI to develop some themed days that we could devote to working on these skills. I also had it correlate the skills and themes with EduProtocols. Here is the outcome….

Main Idea Monday (Addressing: Finding the Main Idea)

  • Thin Slides: Students create one slide with a key image and one word to represent the main idea of a historical event or concept. Present and discuss why each represents the main idea.
  • Cyber Sandwich: Students read a historical text, discuss with a partner, and write a one-sentence summary focusing on the main idea. Expand to a paragraph summary. Use “What is this passage mostly about?” as a guiding question.

Text Detective Tuesday (Addressing: Understanding Vocabulary in Context & Recognizing Important Details)

  • Frayer Model: Students complete a Frayer model for key historical terms, focusing on contextual usage and decoding strategies.
  • ParaFLY: Students paraphrase complex historical quotes or paragraphs, underlining key points and writing margin notes. Use “5 W’s and H” questions to identify important information.

What’s Important Wednesday (Addressing: Recognizing Important Details)

  • 8pARTS: Students analyze a historical image using the 8pARTS protocol, focusing on identifying crucial details and their significance.
  • Number Mania: Students create infographics highlighting key statistics and facts from a historical period or event. Present and explain why these details are important.

Thinking Thursday (Addressing: Making Inferences)

  • Sketch and Tell: Students create visual representations of historical events or concepts, including inferred information not explicitly stated. Explain their drawings using “Based on… I can infer that…” statements.
  • Hero’s Journey: Students map a historical figure’s journey, making and explaining inferences about motivations and challenges not explicitly stated in texts.

Multiple Viewpoints Friday (Addressing: Comparing Perspectives & Making a Claim with Evidence)

  • 3xPOV (Three Times Point of View): Students examine a historical event from three different perspectives:
    1. A direct participant in the event
    2. A contemporary observer not directly involved
    3. A modern historian looking back on the event Students use T-charts or Venn diagrams to compare and contrast these viewpoints.
  • 3xCER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning): Students engage with a historical topic or event using the following structure:
    1. Make three different claims about the topic
    2. Provide specific evidence from historical sources to support each claim
    3. Explain the reasoning that connects the evidence to each claim Students present and discuss their CERs, focusing on the strength of their claims, the relevance of their evidence, and the logic of their reasoning.