Teacher Toolbox | Past Sessions - Full Sail University

View past sessions of The Teacher Toolbox, each filled with conversations about the use of artificial intelligence in education, tips for self-care during the busiest times of the school year, and how to make effective classroom videos.

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Assessing Learning in the Age of Artificial Intelligence for K-12 Teachers

Assessing Learning in the Age of Artificial Intelligence for K–12 Teachers is a timely and practical Teacher Toolbox session designed to help K-12 educators navigate the rapidly evolving role of AI in the classroom.

As tools like generative AI become more accessible to students and teachers alike, traditional approaches to assessment are being challenged in new and complex ways. This session explores how teachers can move beyond concerns about academic dishonesty to design meaningful, AI-resilient assessments that prioritize critical thinking, creativity, and authentic learning.

Participants will gain actionable strategies for integrating performance-based tasks, project-based learning, oral assessments, and reflective practices, while also learning how to guide students in the ethical and effective use of AI as a learning partner. Educators will leave equipped with forward-thinking approaches to ensure assessment remains relevant, equitable, and impactful in the age of artificial intelligence.

The Algorithm Is the Syllabus: What TikTok Creators Taught Me About Building Digital Learning

What if the best instructional designers aren't in your textbooks — they're on your For You Page?

In this session of The Teacher Toolbox, Emily Green shares the build behind The People's Professors, her Masters of Science capstone project at Full Sail University. It's an interactive nano-learning course that translates five TikTok creator strategies into practical tools for instructional designers. You'll get a behind-the-scenes look at the design decisions, the tech stack (no CS degree required), and the learning science that ties it all together.

Walk away with:
• A framework for applying creator strategies — Hook, Chunking, Visual Attention, Engagement, and Sequencing — to any learning experience
• A real look at building with Articulate Rise, custom HTML/CSS, and AI tools as a non-developer
• Practical takeaways for making digital learning that actually competes for attention

Whether you're a student, a solo designer, or someone who just wants learners to stop skipping content, this one's for you.

Empathy XP: Teaching Perspective Through Digital Games + VR Role Play

If I asked your students, “Are you empathetic?” most of them would say yes. But if I asked, “Can you prove it when you’re stressed, rushed, or annoyed?” that’s where the Wi-Fi mysteriously goes out. The good news is empathy is not a personality trait you either have or you don’t; it’s a skill, and skills can be practiced.

In this session of The Teacher Toolbox, we’re going to treat empathy like a learnable, repeatable action. Not a poster on the wall or a “be nice” speech, actual reps. Digital games give learners something rare: a safe place to make decisions, feel the consequences, and try again, and VR role play takes it one step further by letting them rehearse the conversation itself, not just talk about it after the fact. We’re leveling up empathy through two tools: ethical decision games that force perspective-taking and VR role play that lets learners practice the moment empathy is hardest, when emotions show up.

Managing Difficult Behaviors in the Classroom

Student dysregulation is increasing across classrooms post-pandemic, yet most teachers receive minimal training in neuroscience-informed responses. This session offers both a practical tool teachers can use immediately and a model for how instructional design can transform abstract professional development into skill-building practice. Whether you're a classroom teacher struggling with challenging behaviors, an instructional coach supporting educators, or a future teacher preparing to enter the field, this session will equip you with actionable strategies grounded in brain science and compassion.

How to Turn a Course Syllabus into an Engaging Audio Presentation

Join Instructional Design & Technology Course Director Dr. Christopher Deason as he presents simple, how-to instructions for converting boring Word documents into exciting audio assets. In this session, you will learn how to create an audio course syllabus using narration, music, and sound design basics using tools such as Adobe Audition, royalty-free media, and other media creation tools. This session is ideal for instructors, instructional designers, and students.

From Learning Designer to Game Developer: The Vibe Coding Revolution

In this episode, Dr. Colleen Cleveland sits down with Emily Green, the creative mind behind Creator’s Quest, to explore the world of serious games — interactive learning experiences built with purpose beyond entertainment. From motivation and engagement to cognitive transfer, serious games are reshaping how we learn, train, and communicate complex ideas.

We’ll dive into how vibe coding, a visual, low-code approach to programming, has made it possible for instructional designers and educators to develop their own immersive learning experiences without needing traditional computer science backgrounds. Emily shares her process developing Creator’s Quest, a game that blends storytelling, choice-based interaction, and problem-solving to teach players about creative thinking, resilience, and design strategy.

Together, we’ll unpack what makes a learning game “serious,” how design theory meets technology, and why this democratization of coding tools is transforming the future of education, design, and accessibility.

Key Themes
• Serious games and educational psychology
• Vibe coding and accessible development
• Game mechanics for engagement and learning outcomes
• Creative process and iteration in educational games

Closing Thought:
As Emily reminds us, learning through play isn’t just for kids. It’s for anyone willing to step into a quest for curiosity.

Soft Skills Matter: Preparing Students for Real-World Challenges

Join Dr. Sharon Wyly and special guests as we dive into the essential world of soft skills—interpersonal traits that are crucial for career success but sometimes hard to teach. We'll examine how the pandemic disrupted learning, especially for Gen Z students, leaving many feeling unprepared for college and the job market. Together, we’ll uncover practical methods educators can use to rebuild these skills through innovative assessments and real-world applications.

If you did not attend our August session, we encourage you to watch the recording ahead of this session.

Transforming Courses from Topic-Centered to Task-Centered: Bonus Episode

M. David Merrill’s First Principles of Instruction (FPI) is a widely respected instructional design framework that outlines the essential elements for effective teaching and learning. This principles-based model is useful for designing any form of instruction, from classroom teaching to online learning and training programs.

Last month, we showed you how to use Merrill’s FPI, moving your courses from being topic-centered to task-centered. During that session, we promised you a BONUS EPISODE – so here it is! In this month’s upcoming session of The Teacher Toolbox, participants will learn how to create a Hierarchical Task Analysis (HTA), identifying subtasks leading up to the main tasks they want their own students to learn and master. This is a direct tie-in from last month, so be prepared to get creative as we practice, together, how to apply the HTA to Merrill’s FPI.

If you did not attend our August session, we encourage you to watch the recording ahead of this session.

Transforming Courses from Topic-Centered to Task-Centered: Applying M. David Merrill's First Principles of Instruction

M. David Merrill’s First Principles of Instruction is a widely respected instructional design framework that outlines the essential elements for effective teaching and learning. This principles-based model is useful for designing any form of instruction from classroom teaching to online learning and training programs.

In this session of The Teacher Toolbox, participants will learn how to create a Hierarchical Task Analysis, identifying subtasks leading up to the main tasks they want their own students to learn and master.

Building Online Community

Building community in online learning is essential to student success, but it doesn’t happen by accident. This session explores why and how to create connection, collaboration, and a sense of belonging in virtual classrooms. We’ll look at the challenges of online engagement and share our methods to boost presence, interaction, and inclusivity. Attendees will leave with resources and practices that foster better learning by helping students feel seen, supported, and part of something meaningful.

Empowering Students Through Data: A Guide to Student-Led Data Analysis

Unlock the power of student agency by helping your learners become active participants in their own growth! In this 45-minute webinar, educators will explore practical strategies for supporting students in analyzing their own learning data by turning numbers and feedback into meaningful action. Learn how to build a data-literate classroom culture, leverage simple tools and protocols, and foster reflective habits that drive improvement and equity. Whether you're new to student-led data practices or looking to deepen your approach, this session will equip you with tools to empower every student as a confident, informed learner.

Community-Centered Learning: How to Empower Your Students

Discover how community-centered learning transforms education in and out of the classroom by connecting students with real-world experiences and local partnerships. This presentation explores key principles, practical examples, and actionable strategies to foster collaboration, civic engagement, and deeper academic understanding. Whether you’re an educator, administrator, or community leader, learn how to create meaningful learning opportunities that empower students and strengthen communities.

Easy Virtual Reality (VR): Strategies for the K-12 Classroom

Want to start using Virtual Reality in your classroom? Not sure where to start? Come to this session to learn about the benefits and best practices for implementing Virtual Reality into your curriculum. Dr. Rebecca Meeder will cover the types of VR available for teachers to use, benefits to incorporating VR, and best practices.

We’ll practice real-world implementation, including using YouTube 360 and Google Translate, to help teach students about various subject areas using VR straight from your smartphone or tablet. We will also discuss how students can get started on creating VR modules for their assignments.

Alternative Assessments: What Students Want and Need

In this session of The Teacher Toolbox, Instructional Design & Technology Course Director Dr. Colleen Cleveland will explore the evolution of assessments, from ancient oral exams to today’s innovative, tech-enhanced evaluation methods.

We’ll dive into what students really want—hands-on, real-world assessments—and discuss emerging trends like AI integration, gamification, and alternative assessments. Educators will leave with practical strategies to create more engaging, meaningful assessments that foster deeper learning and student motivation.

AI: Am I Doing It Right?

In this session of The Teacher Toolbox, Instructional Design & Technology Course Director Dr. Sharon Wyly will moderate a panel focusing on the use of AI by students. This discussion will cover the ethics of AI and how educators can help students understand how to use AI in a way that doesn’t violate academic honesty.

Panelists:

Dr. Sharon Wyly, Course Director, Instructional Design & Technology Master of Science
Robert Croll, Program Director, Digital Marketing
Dr. Elena Rogalle, Course Director, Media Design MFA
Dr. Chris Deason, Course Director, Instructional Design & Technology Master of Science

How to Write Effective Prompts for Generative AI

Every day, a new generation of workers, students, and educators are using Generative AI to create media, solve problems, and help with daily tasks. However, to receive the best output from Generative AI, users need to create well-written prompts. In this session of The Teacher Toolbox, Instructional Design & Technology Course Directors Dr. Rebecca Meeder and Dr. Reo McBride will teach prompt engineering, or the process of composing prompts to create the best outcomes from AI.

Types of prompts that users can utilize with prompt engineering are instruction prompts, role prompts, example prompts, and combined technique prompts. Using these types of prompts and then refining the prompt, can better ensure that learners are using Generative AI to its fullest potential.

Using Adobe Firefly for Instructional Design

Tired of searching through stock photos for pictures and images for the courses you teach or create? Give AI a try! In this session of The Teacher Toolbox, Instructional Design & Technology Course Director Dr. Reo McBride will demonstrate how Adobe Firefly can be used to turn your words into pictures, with a just a few strokes or so on the keyboard.

What Teachers Need to Know About AI

Preparing students for a future embedded with Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a daunting task, especially if you are their teacher. In this session of The Teacher Toolbox, Dr. Rebecca Meeder will discuss leading industry trends that students will need to know about once they leave education and enter the workforce. She'll also cover best practices teachers can implement now in their classrooms to better train their students to work with AI in their specific subject area(s).

How to Draft an AI Policy for Your School

In this session of The Teacher Toolbox, Instructional Design & Technology Course Director Dr. Chris Deason will offer a comprehensive guide on drafting AI policies tailored specifically for educational institutions, ensuring a smooth integration of artificial intelligence while prioritizing student welfare and academic integrity.

Using AI to Create Instructional Videos

AI is a fantastic new tool in a teacher’s toolbox. But did you know that AI can be used to create instructional videos?

In this session of The Teacher Toolbox, Instructional Design & Technology Course Director Dr. Sharon Wyly will cover the basics of AI in video and how to use AI to quickly create videos to share with your students.

How Can I Effectively Harness A.I. For My Classroom?

Join us for a session of The Teacher Toolbox that is designed exclusively for music, video, media and elective teachers who are eager to explore the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (A.I.) in the classroom. In this session, Instructional Design & Technology Course Director Dr. Colleen Cleveland will dive into the exciting realm where creativity and technology intersect, discovering how A.I. can elevate your teaching methods and empower your students to reach new heights in their artistic endeavors.

Pebble in the Pond: How Complicated Concepts Can be Taught Easily

Are you looking for impactful, transformative design guidelines you can use today to improve learning outcomes? Have you ever reflected on how to prioritize recommendations? In this session of The Teacher Toolbox, Instructional Design & Technology Course Director Dr. Reo McBride offers examples of how to redesign both traditional and online courses or professional development sessions with Merrill’s First Principles (FPI) (Pebble in the Pond: How Complicated Concepts & Procedures Can be Taught Easily) – guidelines that generalize to almost any content.

How to Make Effective Classroom Videos and Create a Class YouTube Channel

In this session of The Teacher Toolbox, Instructional Design & Technology Course Director Dr. Sharon Wyly will help you learn to make more effective classroom videos. With a focus on stories as a teaching tool, we will explore how good videos can engage learners and increase retention. Areas covered will include composition and using YouTube as a repository for classroom videos.

Classroom to Home Connection

In this session of The Teacher Toolbox, Instructional Design & Technology Course Director Dr. Tommi Barrett-Greenly will explore the importance of the classroom to home connection for students.

Mindful Self-Care for Teachers

In this session of The Teacher Toolbox, Instructional Design & Technology Course Director Dr. Chris Deason explores strategies for how teachers can enhance their well-being and reduce stress using the Mindfulness app.

What is Nano-Learning and How to Use it Effectively for Young Learners

Nano-learning is a way for educators to take complex concepts and break them down into bite-sized pieces of information that can be consumed in just a few minutes. In this session of The Teacher Toolbox, Instructional Design & Technology Course Director Dr. Chris Deason will explore how educators can use nano-learning approaches like short video tutorials, informative infographics, interactive quizzes, and gamified activities to make their lesson plans more dynamic, engaging, and effective for K-12 students.

The Future of Education Technology in K-12

Game-based learning, simulations, virtual reality, the Metaverse, and artificial intelligence. What impact do these tools have on education? During this session, Course Director Dr. Rebecca Meeder explores the current applications of these types of technology in the K-12 environment and examines their potential for teaching our students of the future.

Ideas for Gamifying Your Courses

In this session, Course Director Dr. Colleen Cleveland presents some easy ways to add game elements to your class to engage students.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education: Should I be worried?

As a teacher, should you be worried about artificial intelligence (AI)? Will you eventually be replaced? What about students using AI to cheat on their assignments? There seems to be a lot more questions than answers these days about AI in education. In this session, Course Director Dr. Rebecca Meeder explores what AI is, its potential effects on our current industries, and how we can use it to our advantage in K-12 education.

Learning Strategies Using ChatGPT

During this session, Course Director Dr. Colleen Cleveland demonstrates how to use ChatGPT to quickly write your next lesson plan.