Practice - CIDDL

From Local Problems to Community Solutions: Join the Fall 2026 CIDDL AI Community Challenge

What could students improve in their community if artificial intelligence became a thought partner rather than an answer machine?
The Center for Innovation, Design, and Digital Learning (CIDDL) invites students and teachers in Grades 7–12 to answer this question through the Fall 2026 AI Community Challenge. Teams across the nation will identify a consequential local issue, investigate its causes, and design an evidence-informed solution with support from artificial intelligence (AI). The challenge places human reasoning at the center of every submission.

Beyond the Tool: Designing Coherent AI Systems in Education

When conversations turn to AI in education, the question I hear most often is, “If you could recommend one AI tool, what would it be?” It is a reasonable question. Educators are navigating full schedules, expanding responsibilities, and increasing learner variability in their classrooms. With new AI platforms emerging almost weekly, asking for one manageable starting point feels efficient and practical. In a field moving this quickly, there is also understandable pressure to adopt something just to avoid falling behind. But I often pause before answering. Instead of naming a tool, I ask, “What do you need?” That pause is intentional.

Ethical use of AI in IEP Development framework image

Navigating AI in IEP Development: A Framework for Ethical Practice

Research suggests GenAI can be a powerful support when used strategically. Studies by Rakap (2024) and Waterfield et al. (2025) found that educators using ChatGPT with proper guidance produced IEP goals of the same or higher quality while spending less time drafting. Some platforms even claim to reduce paperwork time by up to 90% (eSchool News Staff, 2025).

office hour image with james bashams picture highlighted

CIDDL Office Hour: Welcome Back! Start the Semester with CIDDL Updates

On August 19, 2025, CIDDL hosted an Office Hours session that brought together faculty, researchers, and practitioners to discuss one of the most pressing topics in education today: how to responsibly integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into teacher preparation and special education. Led by CIDDL Co-PI Dr. James Basham, the conversation highlighted both big-picture frameworks and low-lift classroom practices, making AI integration approachable for educators at all levels.

CIDDList: 5 Free AI-Powered Tools to Transform Your Teaching

Summer’s either already here or right around the corner for most educators, which means it’s a perfect time to explore new ways to streamline your prep, spark student engagement, and breathe fresh life into your lessons! Whether you’re winding down the school year or gearing up for next fall, these five websites help you work smarter, not harder (note: some sites offer limited free use before requiring a subscription). You don’t need to be a tech wizard, just click through, enter a prompt or two, and watch them do the heavy lifting. Here’s your CIDDList of essential digital toolkits, each broken down into simple steps so you can get started right away.

Human hands using a mobile app with an interface showing dashboards and texts

How Apple and Synchron Are Making Neural Control an Accessible Reality

Apple is developing an open standard for brain‑computer interfaces that will enable users to control iPhones, iPads, and the Vision Pro VR headset using only their neural signals. By partnering with Synchron, whose Stentrode implant reads neural signals from the motor cortex, Apple aims to empower people with severe mobility impairments to interact with their devices without lifting a finger.

CIDDL Office Hours: What are you Reading, Watching, and Listening to Learn about AI?

On May 27, 2025, CIDDL hosted a summer-themed Office Hours session centered around a deceptively simple yet essential question: What are you reading, watching, and listening to Learn about AI? As AI continues to reshape education, the CIDDL community gathered to share their favorite podcasts, articles, tools, and personal habits for keeping up with the rapidly evolving field. Facilitated by Dr. James Basham, Dr. Katie Tuck, and the CIDDL team, this session offered a wide-ranging collection of resources that participants can explore throughout the summer and beyond.

CIDDList: Unlock the Fun! 5 Essential Elements for Awesome (and Free) Digital Escape Rooms

Summer is right around the corner, which means you finally have time for all those fun things you’ve been meaning to get around to! One of the popular choices recently has been escape rooms. For those who haven’t done one, it’s an immersive game where players work together to find clues, solve puzzles, and accomplish tasks in a themed setting, typically aiming to ‘escape’ or complete a mission within a time constraint. The excitement and collaborative problem-solving inherent in these games translate exceptionally well into education, especially through the accessible format of digital escape rooms. Digital escape rooms are an engaging way to encourage students to learn. They encourage critical thinking and collaboration among students. Plus, you don’t need special software to create them. Readily available free tools, such as Google Forms, work well with a little bit of thoughtful design. To help you craft these unique activities, this CIDDList outlines five essential elements for developing effective and enjoyable educational digital escape rooms for your students.

Technologies to Support Progress Monitoring for Writing

In this Brief, Dr. Rowland shares information regarding the importance of aligning evidence-based practices for writing with research-based technology. Additionally, it discusses the importance of progress monitoring for writing and why tools, such as the WRITE PM, are so helpful for future educators.

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Embracing the Future: How Teachers Can Harness AI at the Beginning of the School Year

As technology continues to shape the world we live in, its integration into the education sector has become a powerful tool for enhancing learning experiences. One of the most promising advancements is Artificial Intelligence (AI). With the start of a new school year, teachers have a unique opportunity to leverage AI to create engaging, personalized, and efficient learning environments for their students. In this blog, we will explore some innovative ways teachers can embrace AI at the beginning of the school year and reap its benefits.

Category: Practice