Some of the most meaningful learning moments happen outside classrooms, when curiosity pulls you forward, not a syllabus. Self‑directed learning (SDL) takes ownership: you choose what, why, and how you learn. It isn’t just effective; it’s energizing, confidence‑building, and even playful. This brief essay explains why self‑directed learning works, the science behind its effectiveness, and how to structure your approach so it stays productive and enjoyable.

While this article focused on the broader instructional design potential of game-inspired autonomy, there is also much to gain from exploring gamification at the classroom activity level – for example, how points, challenges, and playful elements can motivate and engage learners. If you are interested in this more micro-level approach, you may see Shahrokni (2024), where I share practical ideas on incorporating gamification into teaching and learning.

This is the presentation deck from my webinar session on AI for critical think skills - It includes the prompts and the links from the session: https://view.genially.com/68a59e52b7ec5c7d0c447f08 a recording of the session will be available on the Fobizz platform soon at: https://app.fobizz.com/fortbildungen/2936-ai-for-critical-thinking 

How to spark AI creativity. Discover 5 unconventional AI prompting tactics to get bold, creative results. Plus 10 odd prompts to push AI beyond boring responses

Welcome to the July 2025 edition of the Edtech & ELT Newsletter.

ChatGPT’s Deep Research tool acts as a research assistant and can quickly find great sources on a variety of topics.

In the last couple of weeks I've come across a few interesting articles relating to AI that have made me think and question my opinions, so I'm sharing them here to see what you think and whether they do the same for you. 

The objective was to design a tool that would be accessible 24/7, provide immediate standards-based feedback, foster learner motivation, and simulate interaction close to talking with a native speaker, while remaining calibrated to the learner’s current proficiency level and aligned with the course content, including its tasks, vocabulary, and grammar.

Recent headlines about mobile phone bans in schools have been grabbing attention across the globe, but they're telling us a story that's far more complex than the soundbites suggest. The Economist recently published findings from a double-blind study showing that phone bans can improve performance, while Conservative politicians have jumped on the bandwagon with promises…

This is a 9 minute AI generated podcast that has some really useful insights and good clear explanations.

When students no longer felt the need to write for my approval—or for a letter grade that could make or break their GPA—they wrote for themselves. They took risks. They admitted when they were confused. They experimented with AI tools honestly, instead of sneaking them under the table.

The world our students are entering is not an upgraded version of the past. It is something entirely new. We are no longer the sole producers of knowledge. But we are still the ones who bring judgment, context, and meaning to it. We are still the ones who ask why it matters, for whom, and at what cost. We are still the ones who care—and teach others to care, too.

The global rise in smartphone and social media use has dramatically reshaped childhood and adolescence, with algorithmically engineered digital environments increasingly influencing young people’s capabilities and functionings. This paper draws on data from the Global Mind Project to examine the population-level impacts of childhood smartphone ownership on mind health and wellbeing in young adulthood.

In May, I received a grant to provide my fall Composition I students with ChatGPT subscriptions. These students will meet in a computer lab, giving us space to explore these tools in a collaborative setting. With OpenAI access, students will benefit from faster responses, voice-to-text, custom learning tools, and Sora, OpenAI’s image and video generator, to deepen engagement with our readings.

I'm continuing my series of AI prompts that can help to promote critical thinking this week with one to help teachers design tasks based on Bloom's Taxonomy. You would be surprised how many times I've seen materials promoted as being inspired or modelled on Bloom's Taxonomy that don't come anywhere

Discover how integrating artificial intelligence and critical thinking strategies can foster transformative learning experiences in higher education. Learn how educators can model, guide, and support students in navigating AI with intention, reflection, and integrity.