{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"AI in Education, Critical Thinking, and the Future of Teaching with Alec Couros","description":"On today\u2019s episode of Roll Call, Brian and Josh welcome Dr. Alec Couros, professor of educational technology and media and director of the Centre for Teaching and Learning at the University of Regina, for a deep and timely conversation on the role of AI in education. The conversation explores one of the biggest challenges facing schools today: how to integrate AI while maintaining strong pedagogy and human connection. Alec shares insights on cognitive offloading, critical thinking, misinformation, and why writing still matters more than ever in a world where AI can generate almost anything instantly. They also unpack the risks of over-prioritizing efficiency in education, the future of personalized learning, and why educators need to be intentional about how these tools are used \u2014 not just what they can do, but what they should do. Show notes: 00:00 \u2014 Introduction to Alec Couros 01:11 \u2014 Alec\u2019s background and how he found his path into education 04:16 \u2014 Balancing AI integration with strong pedagogy 05:27 \u2014 \u201cPedagogy first, technology second\u201d 07:18 \u2014 Is critical thinking changing in the age of AI? 08:56 \u2014 AI grading, black-box processes, and bias in assessment 14:23 \u2014 Productive struggle, learning, and cognitive offloading 17:42 \u2014 When students should be introduced to AI tools 19:18 \u2014 Why writing is thinking 23:18 \u2014 Misinformation, deepfakes, and teaching digital discernment 28:22 \u2014 What keeps Alec up at night about AI in education 29:35 \u2014 Efficiency, teacher perception, and controlling the narrative 31:58 \u2014 Personalized learning, isolation, and protecting human connection 33:25 \u2014 AI tutors, non-certified guides, and the future of school models 36:31 \u2014 Curriculum upheaval and what is still worth learning 39:25 \u2014 The pace of AI development and whether educators need to keep up 44:52 \u2014 The future of personalized learning in the classroom 51:58 \u2014 Lightning round 55:11 \u2014 Final reflections on alignment, values, and what AI ought not do ","author_name":"Roll Call Podcast","author_url":"http:\/\/rollcall.libsyn.com\/website","html":"