From NSA to STEM Mentorship – A Conversation with Dr. Leslie Gruis

From NSA to STEM Mentorship – A Conversation with Dr. Leslie Gruis

Show Notes: In this episode of The Culture Compute Podcast, host Sai Gattupalli, Ph.D. is joined by Dr. Leslie Gruis, a mathematician, privacy expert, and former NSA intelligence officer, to explore the critical intersection of privacy, national security, and education in our digital age. Together, they discuss: * The evolution of privacy rights in America and their connection to democratic freedoms * How 30 years at the NSA shaped her understanding of the balance between security and civil liberties * The role of "Privacy Pirates" – tech companies that exploit personal data for profit * Privacy challenges facing K-12 students and educators in digital learning environments * The ethical implications of surveillance technology in schools and society * Strategies for protecting student privacy while leveraging educational technology * The importance of privacy literacy in STEM education and beyond Dr. Gruis brings a unique perspective as both a national security veteran and privacy advocate, offering insights into how we can protect the next generation's digital rights while maintaining educational innovation. Featured Guest: Dr. Leslie GruisAuthor of "The Privacy Pirates [https://a.co/d/iCxhvCb]" and "Privacy: Past, Present, and Future [https://a.co/d/3O24DfF]"Former NSA Intelligence Officer and MathematicianPh.D. in Applied Mathematics and Engineering Sciences, Northwestern University LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-gruis-b8060b141/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-gruis-b8060b141/] Resources Mentioned in the Episode: * "The Privacy Pirates: How Your Privacy Is Being Stolen and What You Can Do About It" * "Privacy: Past, Present, and Future" * Dr. Gruis' speaking engagements and privacy advocacy work Connect with the Culture Compute Podcast:Email: sgattupalli@umass.edu [sgattupalli@umass.edu]Website: https://culturecomputepod.com/ [https://culturecomputepod.com/]YouTube: Equations & Echoes - Educational Science Songs [https://www.youtube.com/@equations.echoes] 💡 Subscribe and stay tuned for more episodes on AI, education, privacy, and the digital transformation of learning! 🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major streaming platforms. Host: Sai Gattupalli University of Massachusetts Amherst - Advanced Learning Technologies Lab Website: ⁠https://www.gattupalli.com/⁠ [https://www.gattupalli.com/] Stay tuned for more episodes exploring the intersections of culture, technology, and education in our digital age. Until next time–Keep Computing Culture.

Education’s Mirror: AI, Feedback, and Screens

Hello listeners! In this episode of The Culture Compute Podcast, I reflect from the Du Bois Library at UMass Amherst on the evolving landscape of educational technologies—specifically how synthetic data, on-device AI, and school phone policies are reshaping learning in real-time. We explore: * The promise of synthetic educational data for privacy and scale. * How students respond to AI-generated vs. instructor feedback. * Surprising findings from a large-scale study on school phone policies and adolescent mental health. * And a sneak peek into my new STEM music project powered by generative AI. Whether you’re a teacher, researcher, or curious learner, this episode dives deep into the future of learning with nuance and care. 🔗 Resources & Links Mentioned: 🎵 STEM Music Videos on YouTube – Equations & Echoes https://www.youtube.com/@equations.echoes [https://www.youtube.com/@equations.echoes] 📘 Khalil, M., Liu, Q., & Jovanovic, J. (2025) AI for data generation in education: Towards learning and teaching support at scale British Journal of Educational Technology https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13580 [https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13580] 📘 Er, E., Akçapınar, G., Bayazıt, A., Noroozi, O., & Banihashem, S. K. (2024) Assessing student perceptions and use of instructor versus AI‐generated feedback British Journal of Educational Technology https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13558 [https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13558] 📘 Goodyear, V. A., et al. (2025) School phone policies and their association with mental wellbeing, phone use, and social media use (SMART Schools) The Lancet Regional Health–Europe https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2025.101211 [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanepe.2025.101211] Website: https://www.culturecomputepod.com/ Email: sgattupalli at umass dot edu 🎧 Subscribe for more conversations where education, culture, and technology converge. Until next time, keep computing culture.

Converging Perspectives: Redefining Education Through AI Literacy, Algorithmic Authorship, and Interactive Pedagogy

In this episode of the Culture Compute Podcast: Learning in the Digital Age, I, Sai Gattupalli from the Advanced Learning Technologies Lab at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, review my personal notes from three recent, peer-reviewed research papers that are reshaping our understanding of educational technology. These studies—published in the British Journal of Educational Technology, Learning, Media and Technology, and a work by Salmaan Khan—offer fresh insights into AI literacy frameworks, the evolving role of algorithmic authorship in academia, and innovative approaches to interactive digital pedagogy. In our discussion, I explore how Chee, Ahn, and Lee’s comprehensive framework for AI literacy provides a developmental pathway that spans from basic digital skills to advanced data-driven decision-making. I reflect on my own journey in learning technology, emphasizing the importance of continuous professional development and robust institutional support. Next, I delve into Gretzky and Dishon’s thought-provoking examination of algorithmic authorship. Their work challenges traditional notions of creativity and intellectual contribution as AI tools increasingly participate in scholarly writing. I share my personal insights on the balance between human ingenuity and machine assistance, a theme that has profound implications for the future of academic work. Finally, I review Salmaan Khan’s study on interactive digital pedagogy, which highlights how adaptive digital platforms can transform classrooms by engaging students as active, collaborative participants. This research underscores the practical benefits of technology when thoughtfully integrated into teaching practices—a vision that resonates deeply with my own experiences in the field. Join me as we synthesize these groundbreaking studies and discuss how their collective insights can redefine teaching and learning in our increasingly digital world. References: Chee, H., Ahn, S., & Lee, J. (2024). A Competency Framework for AI Literacy: Variations by Different Learner Groups and an Implied Learning Pathway. British Journal of Educational Technology. https://bera-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjet.13556?af=R [https://bera-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bjet.13556?af=R] Gretzky, M., & Dishon, G. (2025). Algorithmic-authors in academia: blurring the boundaries of human and machine knowledge production. Learning, Media and Technology. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17439884.2025.2452196 [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/17439884.2025.2452196] Khan, S. (2024). From Passive Receptors to Engaged Participants: Addressing the Limits of Generative AI and Knowledge Sharing in the Digital Age. https://cuny.manifoldapp.org/read/from-passive-receptors-to-engaged-participants-addressing-the-limits-of-generative-ai-and-knowledge-sharing-in-the-digital-age/section/2b6f966a-0830-42bd-b705-3f0ddb26e6a7 [https://cuny.manifoldapp.org/read/from-passive-receptors-to-engaged-participants-addressing-the-limits-of-generative-ai-and-knowledge-sharing-in-the-digital-age/section/2b6f966a-0830-42bd-b705-3f0ddb26e6a7] For inquiries or further discussion, please email sgattupalli@umass.edu. Visit CultureComputePod.com [https://culturecomputepod.com/] for more information.

AI, Instructional Design, and the Future of Education – A Conversation with Dr. Dwayne Wood

Show Notes: In this episode of The Culture Compute Podcast, host Sai Gattupalli is joined by Dr. Dwayne Wood, an educator, instructional designer, and veteran at National University [https://www.nu.edu/], to explore the evolving role of Generative AI in academic curriculum and instructional design. Together, they discuss: * The transformative impact of AI on K-12 and higher education * Strategies for implementing multimodal learning techniques for diverse learners * Key adult learning principles and how AI can enhance educational effectiveness * The ethical considerations of AI-generated content in instructional design * The balance between human-centered learning and AI-driven innovation As we step into 2025, this episode also introduces a new AI-generated theme for the podcast, reflecting the evolving intersection of culture, technology, and education. Resources Mentioned in the Episode: * Follow Dr. Dwayne Wood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwayne-wood-ed-d-74b1532b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dwayne-wood-ed-d-74b1532b/] * Lance Eaton’s Syllabi Policies for AI Generative Tools: Google Doc [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RMVwzjc1o0Mi8Blw_-JUTcXv02b2WRH86vw7mi16W3U/edit?usp=sharing] * Torrey Trust’s AI Syllabus Policy Statement: Google Doc [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1caSLk2JM40K4tdQHlLRwftYVGM6k8z0ZA2J12SwLhtU/copy] * National University: https://www.nu.edu [https://www.nu.edu/] 💡 Subscribe and stay tuned for more episodes on AI, education, and the digital transformation of learning! 🎧 Available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major streaming platforms. https://culturecomputepod.com/ [https://culturecomputepod.com/] Host: Sai Gattupalli [https://gattupalli.com/]

Beware of Metacognitive Laziness: The Role of Generative AI in Learning

Welcome to The Culture Compute Podcast! In this episode, I, Sai Gattupalli, explore the fascinating research surrounding generative AI, focusing on its effects on learning motivation, self-regulated learning processes, and performance outcomes. Specifically, I review the 2024 paper "Beware of Metacognitive Laziness" by Fan et al., which introduces the critical concept of metacognitive laziness and raises questions about the role of tools like ChatGPT in reshaping education. Key Topics Discussed * The emerging concept of metacognitive laziness and its implications for learning. * How generative AI impacts motivation, self-regulation, and performance in education. * The broader interplay between human-AI collaboration in hybrid learning systems. * Practical insights for educators and researchers to harness AI responsibly while promoting deep learning. References: Fan, Y., Tang, L., Le, H., Shen, K., Tan, S., Zhao, Y., Shen, Y., Li, X., & Gašević, D. (2024). Beware of metacognitive laziness: Effects of generative artificial intelligence on learning motivation, processes, and performance. British Journal of Educational Technology, 00, 1–42. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13544 [https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13544] Risko, E. F., & Gilbert, S. J. (2016). Cognitive offloading. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 20(9), 676-688. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2016.07.002 [https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2016.07.002] Alter, A. L., Oppenheimer, D. M., Epley, N., & Eyre, R. N. (2007). Overcoming intuition: Metacognitive difficulty activates analytic reasoning. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 136(4), 569. https://psycnet.apa.org/buy/2007-16657-003 [https://psycnet.apa.org/buy/2007-16657-003] Cukurova, M. (2024). The interplay of learning, analytics and artificial intelligence in education: A vision for hybrid intelligence. British Journal of Educational Technology. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13514 [https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.13514] Related Podcast Episodes Episode 9: Ethical and Responsible Use of Generative AI in Education with Torrey Trust, PhD https://open.spotify.com/episode/4HD2aeFQlVvkqhMkhdupod [https://open.spotify.com/episode/4HD2aeFQlVvkqhMkhdupod] About the Culture Compute Podcast The Culture Compute Podcast explores the intersections of culture, technology, and education, hosted by Sai Gattupalli from the Advanced Learning Technologies Lab at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Visit our website: https://culturecomputepod.com/ [https://culturecomputepod.com/] * Original Music by the talented Liborio Conti, sourced from https://www.no-copyright-music.com/ [https://www.no-copyright-music.com/]. * Additional sounds courtesy of Suno AI. Connect with Me * Email: sgattupalli@educ.umass.edu Thank you for listening! Until next time, remember—in the world of AI and education, the most powerful intelligence remains human intelligence. Keep questioning, keep learning, and keep computing culture.