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PODCAST

Deep Learning Dialogues

Katrina Gouett and Whitney McKinley

Welcome to "Deep Learning Dialogues," the essential podcast for K-12 educators diving into the transformative world of generative AI. In each episode, we bring you insights from experts at the forefront of this innovative technology. We will explore how GenAI can be used in a human-centered way to foster equity, inclusion, and belonging in the classroom.Follow us on Instagram @WCDSBInnovates or head over to https://innovate.wcdsb.ca/ for all things Innovation.This is a Waterloo Catholic District

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All Episodes

40:01

The Power of AI And...

Deep Learning Dialogues ·

2026/09/25

In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, we sit down with Rayna Carmichael, Digital Solutions Lead at AECOM, to explore what happens when artificial intelligence meets data, decision-making, and human expertise. Drawing on more than two decades of experience in GIS, environmental consulting, and data stewardship, Rayna shares how the explosion of data has transformed her industry and why the quality of information matters more than ever in an AI-powered world. Together, we unpack the importance

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41:38

Leading for Human Flourishing in the Age of AI

Deep Learning Dialogues ·

2026/09/18

As Deep Learning Dialogues launches Season 4, Whitney McKinley and Katrina Gouett welcome Dr. Tom D'Amico, former Director of Education for the Ottawa Catholic School Board and President of AI Leadership Consulting. Together, they explore what it means to lead for human flourishing in an age of artificial intelligence. Drawing on his experience scaling AI across one of Canada's most recognized school districts, Tom shares practical insights on change management, AI literacy, assessment, student

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6:10

Season 3 Wrap-up!

Deep Learning Dialogues ·

2026/08/10

80 episodes in the books! In our Season 3 finale, Whitney and Katrina pause to share a simple, heartfelt message: thank you. From staff meetings and PD sessions to individual word-of-mouth shares, this community has grown person-to-person.In this quick season-ender, we share a few ways to dive back into our archive over the break, how you can directly shape our upcoming content, and what to expect when we return in September. Plus, to help you navigate season 3, we’ve created a digital eBook that

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39:40

Finding the Balance: Environmental Realities, Data...

Deep Learning Dialogues ·

2026/07/31

How do you reform an entire education system without falling into the trap of hype, environmental neglect, or technological whiplash? New Brunswick Deputy Minister Ryan Donaghy joins us to pull back the curtain on Canada’s first province-wide AI initiative. From creating strict guardrails around data centers and cognitive offload to building a ground-up AI literacy framework, Ryan shares why true innovation isn't about moving fast and breaking things; it's about relationships, smart policy, and

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45:53

Beyond the Trap: Why Hidden AI Prompts Fail Educators...

Deep Learning Dialogues ·

2026/06/18

In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, hosts Whitney McKinlay and Katrina Gouett sit down with Dr. Adam Pacton to unpack the controversial practice of "prompt injection" or hiding invisible text in assignments to catch students using generative AI. Moving past the initial "ick" factor or ethical intuition that such tactics turn classrooms into policing environments rather than spaces of mutual trust, the conversation explores the concrete legal, technical, and pedagogical failures of these

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45:20

The Messy Middle: Navigating Artificial Intelligence...

Deep Learning Dialogues ·

2026/06/11

In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, explore the "messy middle" of artificial intelligence in education with guest Jessica Rizk, PhD, OCT. Moving past the polarizing narratives of absolute tech adoption versus complete avoidance, the conversation examines how generative AI is actively reshaping the classroom from the ground up. Rizk highlights the urgent need for foundational AI literacy beginning in kindergarten, illustrating through personal anecdotes how young children form implicit

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49:22

Critical Thinking, AI Co-Authorship, and the Future...

Deep Learning Dialogues ·

2026/06/04

In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, hosts Whitney McKinley and Katrina Gouett sit down with Dr. Christin Wright-Taylor, Manager of Writing Services at Wilfrid Laurier University, to explore the intersection of generative AI, academic writing, and the human voice. Shifting the conversation away from fear and toward hope, Dr. Wright-Taylor discusses why generative AI should be viewed as a "calculator for language" and argues that foundational writing skills are more critical than ever for

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52:35

The Cognitive Death or Deeper Thinking? The AI...

Deep Learning Dialogues ·

2026/05/22

In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, hosts Whitney McKinley and Katrina Gouett engage in a captivating conversation with educational scholars Dr. Julie Mueller, Dr. Avis Beek, and Dr. Keri Ewart from Wilfrid Laurier University to tackle the critical tension between cognitive offloading and cognitive replacement in the classroom. Grounded in recent literature on academic integrity, technological disruption, and equitable pedagogy, the panel discusses how generative AI is challenging

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38:46

The First Draft: Preserving the "Friction" of Human...

Deep Learning Dialogues ·

2026/04/02

In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, hosts Whitney McKinley and Katrina Gouett are joined by Dr. Alec Couros to discuss the vital role of "productive struggle" in an era of instant AI outputs. Dr. Couros breaks down the concepts from his viral article, "The Shortcut That Costs Us Everything," warning against a "reverse-Bloom’s Taxonomy" where students analyze AI text without ever learning to compose it themselves. The conversation explores how to "protect the first draft" as a sacred space

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33:36

Levity and Learning: AI Leadership at St. Benedict CSS

Deep Learning Dialogues ·

2026/03/27

In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, hosts Whitney McKinley and Katrina Gouett are joined by Jordan Figueiredo the principal of St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School. Jordan shares his leadership stance on artificial intelligence, moving beyond simple "guardrails" to foster a culture of curiosity and vulnerability among his staff. The conversation explores how to manage the "ping-pong" effect of innovation and how to establish the psychological safety necessary for educators to move from

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54:30

Students Leading the Way with Benny's Innovator Group

Deep Learning Dialogues ·

2026/03/19

In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, hosts Whitney McKinley and Katrina Gouett visit St. Benedict Catholic Secondary School in Cambridge, Ontario to speak with the creators and members of the Benny's Innovator Group (BIG). This student-led initiative, facilitated by teachers Lindsay LeBeau and Lisa Wollziefer, focuses on bringing AI literacy to the school community through interactive workshops. The conversation explores the importance of peer-to-peer learning, where students act as

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1:01:17

An AI Dialogue with Student Voice at the Center

Deep Learning Dialogues ·

2026/03/13

In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, educator Rosie Curie and three of her students Savannah, Dani, and Lilly, discuss the evolving role of generative artificial intelligence in the classroom. Moving away from traditional, rigid rules, the conversation highlights a collaborative approach toward AI literacy, transparency and what it the purpose of school and learning. Rosie and her students describe a sketch note lesson about the illusion of an assignment that helps frame the conversation

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28:52

From Zero to Infinity: AI Transparency in the Classroom

Deep Learning Dialogues ·

2026/03/13

In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, Whitney McKinley and Katrina Gouett dive into the heart of academic integrity in the age of generative AI. Moving away from the "policing" mindset of AI detectors, they introduce the Zero to Infinity scale, a research-based, WCDSB-specific framework designed to bring transparency to the classroom. The conversation highlights how this five-zone tool was refined with WCDSB teachers and students. By focusing on "formation over automation," the hosts discuss

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48:11

Educators: the Chaperons of Knowledge

Deep Learning Dialogues ·

2026/03/07

In this episode, entrepreneur and AI literacy advocate Kate Arthur explores the evolving landscape of education, challenging the traditional model of the teacher as a "knowledge keeper". She suggests a transition toward becoming a "chaperone of knowledge" who guides students through a world where AI often serves as the primary information source. The conversation explores the importance of human agency, the physical and environmental realities of the "cloud," and why AI literacy must be treated as

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28:32

Why We Still Teach the Basics When AI Can Do It All

Deep Learning Dialogues ·

2026/02/19

This episode of Deep Learning Dialogues explores the seismic shifts in education and global power triggered by the "step change" in agentic AI. Dr. Mark Daly introduces the "Tower of Abstraction," a metaphor for how technology evolves to hide complexity, and argues that teaching foundational skills like coding and essay writing remains essential, not for the final product, but to build the mental "muscles" required to think and structure logic. The conversation moves from the classroom to the global

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42:42

The Alignment Problem: Bridging the Gap Between Tech...

Deep Learning Dialogues ·

2026/02/12

In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, hosts Whitney McKinley and Katrina Gouett explore the complex intersection of artificial intelligence and human values with Father Philip Larrey. Under the title "The Alignment Problem: Bridging the Gap Between Tech and Tradition," the conversation delves into the philosophical distinction between a machine's ability to "select" and a human's capacity to "choose". Father Larrey shares insights from his extensive work with Silicon Valley leaders and the

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46:27

Navigating EDSTA: A New Era of Digital Security in...

Deep Learning Dialogues ·

2026/02/06

In this episode, Patricia Kosseim discusses the landmark Enhancing Digital Security and Trust Act (EDSTA). The conversation explores the shifting landscape of student privacy in the age of generative AI. Commissioner Kosseim shares use cases regarding unauthorized "Shadow AI" and offers a roadmap for educators to empower students with the data hygiene skills necessary to navigate a transparent digital future. You can read the article here.Patricia Kosseim is the Information and Privacy Commissioner

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40:04

The Heart of the Classroom: WCDSB’s Faith-Based...

Deep Learning Dialogues ·

2026/01/01

In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, WCDSB Director of Education Annalisa Varano explores the intersection of faith, leadership, and generative AI within the Waterloo Catholic District School Board. Adopting a human-centered vision, Varano emphasizes that AI is a tool designed to enhance the sacred relationship between educators and students. The conversation delves into how WCDSB uses Catholic Social Teachings as a "litmus test" for new technology, ensuring every innovation honors human

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1:00:51

From AI Aware to AI Fluent: Practical Steps for...

Deep Learning Dialogues ·

2025/12/18

In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, hosts Whitney McKinley and Katrina Gouett explore the practical steps required for educators to move from being "AI aware" to "AI fluent". Guest Meghan Hargrave discusses how to bridge the digital divide by integrating generative AI into K-12 classrooms with a focus on purpose and pedagogy rather than just buzzwords. The conversation covers actionable strategies for using AI as a "thought partner" for tasks such as creating formative assessments and

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48:41

Encountering AI with a Moral Compass: Faith, Ethics,...

Deep Learning Dialogues ·

2025/12/11

In this episode of Deep Learning Dialogues, hosts Whitney McKinley and Katrina Gouett engage with Giancarlo Brotto, an educator and AI advocate, to explore the intersection of education, artificial intelligence, and ethics. They discuss the importance of viewing AI as a gift that should serve humanity, the varying perspectives of students and educators on AI, and the need for moral discernment in its use. The conversation emphasizes the role of educators in guiding students through the complexities

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