Episode 316: Ken Patterson

from My EdTech Life · host Fonz Mendoza

Why Transparency Matters Now More Than Ever with Ken Patterson In this hard-hitting episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Ken Patterson, a former principal turned AI consultant, who pulls no punches on how AI is really being used in schools. Ken saw firsthand how AI transformed a struggling school into a top performer, but the system pushed back hard instead of celebrating.💡 Here’s what we dive into:✅ How AI helped Ken’s school thrive—before the system shut it down.✅ Why so many EdTech companies are misleading teachers about AI.✅ The truth about "wrapper" AI sites—what they don’t want you to know.✅ Why teachers should be leading AI adoption, not just tech departments.✅ The missing piece in AI-driven education that no one is talking about.Ken doesn’t hold back, and this episode is a must-watch for educators, administrators, and anyone who cares about the future of AI in education.Timestamps:00:00 Celebrating 100,000 downloads! Huge thanks to our community. 🎉01:00 Shoutout to our amazing sponsors! Thank you, Yellowdig and Book Creator, for supporting this mission.02:00 Meet Ken Patterson—his journey from music teacher to AI-driven principal.04:00 Turning a failing school into a top performer using AI.07:00 Why the system wasn’t ready for AI success—and how it pushed back.10:30 The shady side of EdTech—Ken calls out misleading AI claims.15:00 Should teachers use AI for instruction or just for admin work?20:00 The problem with "wrapper" AI sites—what they’re not telling educators.25:00 How AI can either empower or exploit teachers—depending on transparency.30:00 Ken’s unfiltered take on the future of AI in education.40:00 Final thoughts and a challenge to educators everywhere.Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!💡 This episode is powered by Yellowdig and Book Creator—thanks for supporting real conversations in EdTech!👇 WATCH NOW and join the conversation!💬 Do you trust AI in education? Why or why not? Drop your thoughts in the comments!🔗 Follow Ken Patterson: LinkedIn🎧 More Episodes: https://www.myedtech.life/🚀 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

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