Episode 328: Job Christiansen

AI in Schools: Innovation or Illusion? | Ep. 328 with Job ChristiansenIs AI making classrooms smarter—or just noisier?In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Job Christiansen, a fellow cautious advocate, educator, and instructional technology specialist, to ask the hard questions about AI’s role in education. From privacy concerns to the illusion of “safe use,” we unpack what most educators, tech leaders, and decision-makers aren’t being told about the tools flooding our schools.Job doesn’t just read privacy policies, he tests them, creating teacher and student accounts to see what’s really happening behind the interface. This episode dives into why most AI tools may still be stuck in the substitution phase and what it’s going to take to truly shift toward responsible, innovative, human-centered use.🎧 Whether you're in K–12 or Higher Ed, this one will challenge your thinking. TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 02:00 Job’s Journey Into EdTech 06:00 First Reactions to ChatGPT in 2022 10:00 Early Adoption vs. Caution in Schools 13:30 AI's Substitution Trap & SAMR Concerns 19:00 Redefining “Safe” in AI Tools 24:30 What Job Found Testing Student-Facing AI Apps 30:00 Historical Accuracy and the AI “George Washington” Problem 36:00 The Concept of AI Pollution and Knowledge Dilution 43:00 Transparency, Trust, and Teacher Responsibility 47:00 Final Takeaways and Reflective Advice 50:00 Where to Connect with Job 54:00 EdTech Kryptonite, Billboards, and Historical Curiosity🙏 Big thanks to our amazing sponsors: 🔹 Book Creator 🔹 Eduaide.AI 🔹 Yellowdig💬 Visit www.myedtech.life to explore more episodes and support the show.👋 Stay curious. Stay critical. And as always—Stay Techie.Peel Back Education exists to uncover, share, and amplify powerful, authentic stories from inside classrooms and beyond, helping educators, learners, and the wider community connect meaningfully with the people and ideas shaping education today. Authentic engagement, inclusion, and learning across the curriculum for ALL your students. Teachers love Book Creator.Support the show This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myedtechlife.substack.com