Episode 6: Matthew Johnson, Director of Education for MediaSmarts

Episode 6: Matthew Johnson, Director of Education for MediaSmarts

In Episode 6 of Eh I, Matthew Johnson talks about the current age of AI with Ryan Oliver and Melissa Sariffodeen. He addresses the ethical issues and symptoms of broader changes in learning that teachers face today. He provides insights on AI implementation strategies vs. resistance or banning, and why it’s important to demystify AI for young learners. He makes a case for structured frameworks, such as "lateral reading", that can support education, build resilience against misinformation, and maintain human values like digital consent. Matthew Johnson is the Director of Education for MediaSmarts, Canada's centre for digital and media literacy. He is the author of many of MediaSmarts' lessons, parent materials and interactive resources, a lead on MediaSmarts' Young Canadians in a Wireless World research project and the architect of MediaSmarts’ Use, Understand, Engage: Digital Literacy Framework for Canadian K-12 Schools. He has served on expert panels convened by the Canadian Pediatric Society, the Sexual Information and Education Council of Canada and the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario, among others. Show Credits Hosts: Ryan Oliver and Melissa Sariffodeen Producer: Zac Miller Editors: Zac Miller and Kyle Gordon Original Composition: Warren Frank

AI in Higher Education with Signal 49's Dr. Jessica Rizk

In episode 5 of Eh I, Ryan and Melissa are joined by Dr. Jessica Rizk, who is a senior research associate for education and skill with Signal 49. Jessica talks about the transition from fear to optimism when leveraging AI as a learning tool in schools. The trio talk about prioritizing the learning process as opposed to the final product, and about how it’s important to define “AI literacy” for future workforce readiness. Dr. Jessica Rizk is a Senior Research Associate at Signal49 Research, where she focuses on education, skills, and workforce development in the age of artificial intelligence. Her work explores how post-secondary institutions, educators, and learners are adapting to rapid technological change, with a particular emphasis on AI literacy and workforce readiness across Canada. She is also a lecturer at the University of Waterloo and Wilfrid Laurier University, where she teaches courses in education and sociology. With experience spanning both K–12 and post-secondary settings, she brings a systems-level perspective to her work. She holds a PhD in Sociology and is passionate about bridging research, policy, and practice to support a more inclusive and future-ready education system. Show Credits Hosts: Ryan Oliver, Melissa Sariffodeen Producer: Zac Miller Editors: Zac Miller, Kyle Gordon Composition: Warren Frank

Episode 4: The Culture of Yes with Chris Kennedy

In Episode 4 of Eh I, Chris Kennedy, Superintendent of Schools/CEO at West Vancouver Schools, joins Ryan Oliver and Melissa Sariffodeen to discuss AI in schools, why structured guidelines and dedicated transition leadership is better than banning, how AI can support diverse learners, and maintaining human-centric education in the classroom. One of the most progressive voices in BC education, Chris has been featured by Macleans Magazine as one of the 100 Young Canadians to Watch and his work has been featured in various local and national publications. He was recently named one of the Top 10 Canadian Newsmakers in Educational Technology. Bridge to Pangnirtung [https://nativecanadianarts.com/gallery/bridge-in-pangnirtung/] by Elisapee Ishulutaq Downtown Vancouver [https://nativecanadianarts.com/gallery/downtown-vancouver/] by Elisapee Ishulutaq Show Credits Hosts: Ryan Oliver, Melissa Sariffodeen Producer: Zac Miller Editors: Zac Miller, Kyle Gordon Original Composition: Warren Frank

Episode 3: The Limits of AI in the Classroom

In this episode, we’re joined by Benjamin Riley, the founder of Cognitive Resonance, a "think-and-do tank" established to help the public understand the differences between human thinking and generative AI. His philosophy is built on three pillars - Pro-Human, Pro-Science and Critical Inquiry. He frequently critiques the "unbridled enthusiasm" for AI in education. Previously, Ben founded and led Deans for Impact, an education nonprofit organization working to improve how teachers are prepared using the science of learning. His ideas on cognitive science, AI, and education have appeared in The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, Le Monde, The Guardian, Education Week, Education Next, The74, NPR and elsewhere. We discuss the impact of AI on human thinking and education, and the assumption that AI must be adopted in schools, while exploring the importance of “cognitive struggle” in learning. Show Credits Hosts: Ryan Oliver, Melissa Sariffodeen Producer: Zac Miller Editors: Zac Miller, Kyle Gordon Composition: Warren Frank

Episode 2: Two Lane Approach at Lakefield College School

Lakefield College School is an innovator when it comes to AI in education, and in this episode, we’re joined by Heather Adams, Teacher and Program Area Leader from the School. Heather and Ryan discuss Lakefield's "Two-Lane" assessment model for AI, and how AI has actually brought Heather closer to her students by forcing more authentic, one-on-one interactions. She emphasizes that in a world where the "answers are stapled to the back of the test," the burden is on educators to redesign assessments rather than on students, to resist the pull of a tool that creates effortless "flow." Heather also discusses her pragmatic, albeit "optimistic," advice for education institutions in this rapidly changing landscape, as well as the challenges of preparing students for an evolving future of work. Show Credits Host(s): Ryan Oliver, Melissa Sariffodeen Producer: Zac Miller Editor(s): Zac Miller, Kyle Gordon Composition: Warren Frank