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Where the stories and people of the KCI community come together to learn, share, and connect

The Teacher’s Guide to Building a Custom AI Assistant

Teachers carry more in one day than most people realize. That’s why the idea of adding yet another tool into the mix can feel like someone handing you a kettlebell when you’re already juggling flaming torches. So let’s take a breath. Because this is not one more thing. Creating a custom AI assistant (also known…

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Think of a GPT as a laminator for your brain... suddenly you're not reinventing the wheel every time you plan a lesson, write directions, or differentiate a text. You're starting at 30 percent instead of zero, and that changes everything. - Stacy Kratochvil
Letting Assistive Technology Do Its Job

Letting Assistive Technology Do Its Job

This summer, in between weeks at camp, activity workbooks, and crafts that now litter our kitchen table, my daughter learned how to use our Amazon Echo. My daughter has used our Echo frequently these past few months – issuing commands to play the Sing 2 Soundtrack, tell her knock-knock jokes, setting her own timer for…

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Self Care Isn't Selfish - Teachers Need SEL Too!

Teachers Need SEL Too!

As educators, we, too often, put the needs of others before our own. We often forget or intentionally avoid the fact that educators on a whole are overwhelmed, overworked, and often don’t have enough time in a day to do all of the things that we need to do for our job, our classrooms, our…

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#MERIT22 Brings HyFlex Learning to KCI

#MERIT22 Brings HyFlex Learning to KCI

Since 2001, the MERIT Program has been a staple at The Krause Center for Innovation at Foothill College in Los Altos Hills, CA. MERIT, Making Education Relevant through Innovative Teaching, has become synonymous with developing innovative teaching practices, affordable professional learning, and technology-enhanced pedagogy for educators across the state of California. The MERIT Program is…

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Getting Started with Coding in the Classroom

Getting Started with Coding in the Classroom

Computer coding has long been seen as a valuable skill for students. But teachers are often stumped on where to begin. From which coding language to start with to first activities to transitioning students to more complex programs, teachers are seeking a roadmap for teaching coding. KCI Instructor Sheena Vaidyanthan recently wrote an article for…

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Gay Krause receives PTA Award

Gay Krause is Honored with California PTA Golden Oak Service Award

Gay Krause received the Golden Oak Service Award, May 2022 from the Los Altos – Mountain View Council of PTA’s. The Golden Oak Service award is given to an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to the welfare of children and youth in a school or community. The Los Altos – Mountain View…

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KCI Cast with Katie McNamara

KCI Community Showcase Featuring Katie McNamara

In Episode 10, Cate chats with OBI and MERIT alumnus, Katie McNamara, about her work as a Teacher Librarian and how her commitment to making learning more pleasant for students and teachers. As she explains, “gone are the days where libraries are just books.” Katie’s passion for educational technology and instructional design sets her apart…

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