#21 AI + SEL with Margot Toppen

Make It Mindful: An Education Podcast

Dive deep into Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) and its intersection with technology with guest Margot Toppen.
How can technology support, without overshadowing, the human-centric nature of SEL? We unravel the apparent contradiction of using technology in an inherently human domain, acknowledging that while tech offers valuable tools, it cannot replace the human empathy and understanding essential for effective SEL.

Drawing on insights from a recent SWOT analysis conducted for CASEL, our guest sheds light on the potential of AI in mitigating the student mental health crisis. This analysis provides a nuanced view of AI's strengths and limitations in the context of SEL, offering key takeaways from her groundbreaking research.

Addressing the contentious debate about tech use, social media, and screen time, we explore their roles in the youth mental health crisis. Our guest offers a balanced perspective, acknowledging the potential risks and benefits of digital engagement in the context of SEL.

One of the highlights of our episode is the introduction of GenAI, an innovative strategy that blends generational insights with AI to enrich SEL. Our guest shares valuable tips and strategies derived from this approach.

Finally, we get an insider's view of how our guest developed a series of SEL prompts tailored for AI in education. She walks us through her creative process, illustrating how these prompts are designed to foster emotional intelligence, empathy, and resilience in students.

Join us in this enlightening episode as we navigate the delicate balance between technology and the human essence at the heart of social-emotional learning.
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Guest Bio:
Margot Toppen is a whole child wellness and EdTech leader, program & partnership developer, and dynamic communicator with 15+ years of experience leading social enterprises.
Show Links:
1. Margot Toppen's website https://margot-toppen.com/
2. Exploring the Intersection of AI and SEL: https://margot-toppen.com/ai-sel/
3. AI + SEL & The Mental Health Crisis: How Can We Leverage New Tech to Meet the Moment? (and What Are the Risks?) https://casel.org/blog/ai-sel-the-mental-health-crisis-how-can-we-leverage-new-tech-to-meet-the-moment-and-what-are-the-risks/
4. Digital Wellness Lab - Children in AI Research Brief - https://digitalwellnesslab.org/research/research-brief-children-and-artificial-intelligence/
5. Center on Reinventing Public Education’s 2023 “State of the American Student” report - https://crpe.org/the-state-of-the-american-student-2023/
6. Teens Open Up About Mental Health in the Age of AI and the Long Shadow of the Pandemic https://www.the74million.org/article/to-be-a-student-in-2023-10-teens-open-up-about-mental-health-the-age-of-ai-and-the-long-shadow-of-the-pandemic/
7. Giraffes Can't Dance by Giles Andrae - https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/765148
8. The Perfect Prompt