What happens when students can finish the assignment without doing the thinking?

In Episode 376 of My EdTech Life, Dr. Alfonso Mendoza Jr. welcomes educator, education leader, and author Jeff Piontek (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffpiontek/) for a candid conversation about AI in education, student ownership, and the human relationships that make learning meaningful.

Jeff (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffpiontek/) shares ideas from his new book, AI, EI, O, and YOU: Preparing Educators for an AI Driven World (https://amzn.to/4zBNrzk) . His framework brings together artificial intelligence, emotional intelligence, oral language, and the educator’s role in shaping learning.

Throughout this conversation, we return to a question every school should be asking: What cognitive work remains with the student?

From classrooms where platforms become the star to professional development that demonstrates tools but overlooks teachers, Jeff (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffpiontek/) challenges how schools approach technology adoption. We discuss student voice, writing, accessibility, and what it means for learners to explain and defend their decisions when AI supports their work.

We also explore Jeff’s (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffpiontek/) concerns about AI restrictions, unequal access, and the instructional support students could lose when schools remove a tool.

In this episode:

00:00 Welcome to My EdTech Life and meet Jeff Piontek (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffpiontek/)
07:00 AI, EI, O, and YOU: Jeff’s (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffpiontek/) framework for keeping people at the center of learning
12:00 Will AI replace teachers? Jeff (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffpiontek/) shares a provocative university Q&A
16:00 How can students use AI while retaining ownership of their thinking?
18:00 How can AI support language practice without replacing human conversation?
22:00 Jeff’s (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffpiontek/) concerns about AI restrictions and unequal access
33:00 What should districts examine beyond personalized learning promises?
39:00 What parts of learning should remain AI-free?
54:00 Why do teachers and families need ongoing support with AI?

If you’re a teacher, instructional coach, school leader, or someone building tools for education, this conversation invites you to examine what students are actually learning when technology enters the classroom.

Join the conversation: What is one part of student learning you believe should remain AI-free? Share your perspective in the comments.

📚 Jeff’s (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffpiontek/) new book:
AI, EI, O, and YOU: Preparing Educators for an AI-Driven World (https://amzn.to/4zBNrzk)

Connect with Jeff:
https://jeffpiontek.com/

Explore more educator conversations:
https://www.myedtech.life/

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