Enhancing the Socratic Seminar with AI

In this episode, Dr. Jennifer Berry, Chief Executive Officer of SmartLab, joins us to explore how schools can develop the durable skills that students need for an evolving workforce. These durable skills include communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and empathy. Throughout the course of our conversation, she shares how authentic problems and hands-on learning help students build confidence and recognize the value of their ideas.With examples spanning kindergarten through high school, we discuss connecting classroom learning to real-world challenges, making space for productive struggle, and using AI only after students have developed their own thinking. We also explore how community partnerships can help prepare students for their futures. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

In today’s episode, we'll explore how AI can fit into step four of the research process: Evaluating Information. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

Stephen Beckermann, director of the Faculty and Professional Learning Center at Minnesota State University Moorhead, joins our podcast team to explore what students really need to thrive as they transition from high school to college and career.Stephen discusses the value of curiosity, flexibility, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone. Our conversation with Stephen highlights the many ways that students can prepare for what comes next, including advanced-credit courses, experiential learning, campus resources, relationships with professors, student organizations, and AI literacy. Stephen emphasizes to educators and families that for students to become college- and career-ready, it's about becoming well-rounded learners who are open to new people, possibilities, and experiences. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

In today’s episode, we'll explore how AI can fit into step three of the research process: Searching for Sources. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

The most important step toward the future is oftentimes just being willing to go for it. For students facing decisions about college, careers, majors, or other postsecondary options, there can be enormous pressure to make the “right” choice immediately. But growth often comes from taking a chance, trying something new, and giving yourself permission to change course along the way.In this episode, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee senior Kailey Gamnis shares what she has learned while navigating college, career planning, and the transition into life after graduation. Kailey reflects on the choices, risks, and experiences that have shaped her path, including spending her freshman year studying in Rome, transferring schools, pursuing a film degree, and completing a corporate internship.Over the course of our conversation, Kailey discusses the importance of following your own direction, rather than simply doing what everyone else is doing. She also shares practical insights about college readiness, building relationships with professors, choosing a major, developing self-advocacy and organization skills, using AI responsibly, and gaining real-world experience through internships. Her message to students is to be brave, put yourself out there, and don’t be afraid to change direction as you're navigating on your journey. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

In today’s episode, we'll explore how AI can fit into step two of the research process: Background Knowledge and Planning. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

In today’s episode, we'll explore how AI can fit into the first step of the research process. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

With AI being able to generate an answer in seconds, the challenge for educators is making sure that students still do the thinking that leads to learning. As our guest, Shelly Muñoz, states, “Don’t outsource the thinking you’re trying to develop.” When used as a replacement, AI can remove the productive struggle that builds understanding. However, when used as an amplifier, it can challenge reasoning, surface new perspectives, test ideas, and help students push their thinking further.Shelly is a STEM curriculum coordinator, longtime educator, and author of Architects of Cognitive Resilience: Reimagining Learning in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. In this episode, she helps the podcast team explore what teaching and learning should look like when answers are increasingly easy to obtain and why helping students develop intellectual agency is critical right now.Shelly introduces her Cognitive Resilience Framework, which moves learners from curiosity and exploration toward sense-making, integration, innovation, and ultimately, wisdom. The conversation examines how educators can make student thinking visible, use AI to amplify rather than replace thinking, rethink assessment, foster cognitive belonging, and prepare students to encounter unfamiliar challenges with the confidence to figure out what to do next. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.

In today’s episode, we'll explore ways that AI might be integrated effectively before, during, and after a Socratic Seminar. Visit AVID Open Access to learn more.