Seven Ways We Can Fix the Dreaded Student Research Paper Blog Post

When I was a kid, I hated research papers. I hated the paint-by-numbers rules we had to follow. I hated the fact that I couldn’t choose the topic or ask the questions or find the sources. I hated the notecards and the binders and everything…

How Compacting Can Lead to Deeper Learning Blog Post

In my latest article, I explore how we can use compacting to spark deeper learning in students. We dive into why compacting matters, how it works, what models to use, and how we can incorporate assessment into it. The Need for Compacting When my son…

A Few Years In: The Unintended Consequences of Generative AI Blog Post

With the widespread adoption of generative AI, we need to explore how these platforms are changing our world. In my latest article and podcast episode, I share six unintended consequences that are beginning to emerge. We Can’t Predict How AI Will Change Our World As…

Spencer Education: Spark Curiosity. Ignite Creativity. Page

Spark Curiosity. Ignite Creativity. I'm a former middle school teacher and a current full-time professor who is passionate about seeing teachers transform their classrooms into bastions of creativity and wonder. Over the last twenty years, I have written articles, recorded podcast episodes, crafted sketch videos,...

Back to School in the Age of AI Blog Post

Throughout this summer, I’ve had the opportunity to lead professional development on ethical AI integration throughout the United States. In some cases, it’s been a keynote and customized sessions. In other cases, it’s been a deep dive 1-3 day workshop. The audience has ranged from…

Teachers Are the Champions of Depth in a Culture of Distractions Blog Post

In classrooms across the country, something subtle but powerful is taking shape. Amidst the distractions, the surface-level shortcuts, and the pressure to speed everything up, I’ve seen students quietly shift from passive to active. They’ve gone from compliant to curious and from distracted to dialed…

Why Deeper Learning Is a Critical Advantage in the Age of AI Blog Post

The future is unpredictable. So, when we try to design learning experiences that “prepare students for the future,” we have to recognize that we don’t always know what they’ll need. In this article, I explore the counterintuitive reality that the best way to prepare students…