Tech-Neill-ogy #68 - 6 October 2024

Your Weekly Guide to Leveraging Technology in College Counseling

Author

Jeffrey Neill
October 07, 2024

Welcome to Tech-Neill-ogy #68!

As I’m sure is the case with so many of you, it is a very busy time. I’m in the throes of writing letters of recommendation ahead of the rapidly approaching early application deadline of November 1. (Read more on LinkedIn.) The good news is that my ribs feel a little bit better every day…

For this week’s non-tech article, I wanted to share this gem by Akil Bello from a couple years ago. It seems to resonate still.

In any case, enjoy this week’s newsletter!

I Quit Teaching Because of ChatGPT

"I found myself spending more time giving feedback to AI than to my students."

time.com/7026050/chatgpt-quit-teaching-ai-essay

AIM 100: The Most Influential Global Leaders in AI

The 100 Most famous people in AI 2024: AIM's list of the top most influential people in artificial intelligence.

analyticsindiamag.com/magazine/aim-100-worlds-most-famous-people-in-ai-2024

Teaching Students To Use AI More Effectively

Dr. Jennifer Parker has developed a framework that helps students and teachers write better prompts and create stronger AI outputs.

www.techlearning.com/how-to/teaching-students-to-use-ai-more-efficiently

How GenerationAI Looks to Normalize AI in the Classroom By Empowering Educators

Google.org is partnering with ISTE to create GenerationAI, an initiative focused on educating teachers on AI use.

www.techlearning.com/news/how-generationai-looks-to-normalize-ai-in-the-classroom-by-empowering-educators

3 innovative ways schools are using AI to improve learning

One-quarter of public school teachers say AI does more harm than good for K12. However, that's not stopping these schools from innovating.

districtadministration.com/3-innovative-ways-school-are-using-ai-to-improve-learning

Common App Activities Description Generator

Pickaxe empowers anyone to create AI-powered apps, no code required. Thanks to Pam Joos for this one! Similar to my own BEABIES prompt (https://bit.ly/BEABIES) but pretty cool!

beta.pickaxeproject.com/axe?id=Common_App_Activities_Description_Generator_H76B6

Inbox Zero | Automate and clean your inbox

Inbox Zero is your AI personal assistant for email and the quickest way to reach inbox zero. Automate your email, bulk unsubscribe from newsletters, block cold emails, and view your email analytics. Open-source.

www.getinboxzero.com

NotebookLM

NotebookLM is an AI-powered research and writing assistant that works best with the sources you upload. Pretty dang amazing!

notebooklm.google.com

AI Infographic Maker - Create Stunning Visuals Easily

Create custom AI-powered infographics for your content poster maker, infographic generator online , i,info graphics,infographic of infographics, info graphic, infographic examples

graphicinfo.cc

PodSnap.AI

Never miss a podcast episode again! Get AI-generated summary to your inbox as soon as an episode goes live.

podsnap.ai

When writing counselor letters for the UK — or really any place outside of the US — there is a greater focus on skills and aptitudes over the holistic approach in the US. There used to be this really great section of the UCAS website that outlined the skills a student needs to be successful in a particular course (major), but that is gone (or at least I cannot find it). As such, I’ve been using ChatGPT to help me identify the relevant skills a student needs for a particular course in order to focus my letter — and the comments of teachers. It has worked remarkably well. Give it a try! 

What are the top five skills or attributes that a student needs to study Econometrics in the United Kingdom to be successful?

If you have any great prompts or ideas, please share! Send me a note at [email protected].

Webinars & Live Events Page

Look here for upcoming webinars and other events (and recorded ones) by the College Essay Guy! New events are happening all the time…

www.collegeessayguy.com/webinars-live-events

To end, I wanted to share the great piece listed below written by Nick Alchin, Head of College, UWCSEA. Take a minute to read it.

In any case, I hope you enjoyed the newsletter, and I hope you have a great week!

The AI Apocalypse: Soft Skills and hard Thinking

When I was learning to teach Maths, back in the Cretaceous period, one major debate revolved around the use of the then-new technology of hand-held calculators. Would calculators stop students from knowing basic arithmetic? Should we allow them in class? During tests? At home? How would we know what

www.linkedin.com/pulse/what-snetx-nick-alchin-i13hc

Happy counseling,

Jeff