073: Balancing Educational Innovation and Digital Well-being with Dr. Samuel Mormando

As Director of Technology and Innovation and founder of Advative Learning, Mormando has pioneered strategies that empower students rather than restrict their technology use.During our conversation, Mormando revealed the surprising effectiveness of student-led digital citizenship initiatives, where high schoolers mentor younger students about responsible technology use. The district's comprehensive approach involved bringing together students, parents, teachers, administrators, and community members to conduct a root-cause analysis of technology challenges. This collaborative process led to tailored solutions for different grade levels, beyond simply embedding digital citizenship lessons to making instruction more explicit and meaningful.Mormando's work at the intersection of artificial intelligence and education is compelling. As a member of OpenAI's K-12 Advisory Board, he helps educators navigate this rapidly evolving landscape while teaching students to evaluate AI outputs critically. Whether you're struggling with cell phone policies, seeking ways to make digital citizenship instruction more authentic, or wondering how to integrate AI in your classroom ethically, this episode offers practical wisdom from an innovative district that is threading the needle between embracing technology and protecting student well-being. EPISODE RESOURCES:Connect with Dr. Sam Mormando via the Edvative website, LinkedIn, and Next Gen Educators. Explore his books Navigating the AI Revolution in Our Schools (2024) and Effectively Designed Instruction: Amplifying Student Agency and Inclusivity (2023).