Alfonso Gonzalez
@educatoral.com
6th grade Math, Science, STEM Robotics, Esports, family man (lovely wife & daughter), NBCT, ISTE Capstone, MAT, Zombie Runner, gamer, he/him. #edtech #stem #gamification #gbl #esports #edreform, #AI
https://about.me/alfonso_gonzalez
https://about.me/alfonso_gonzalez
AI detection software doesn’t work. Do this instead.
"A growing body of peer-reviewed research shows that AI detection is unreliable and easily fooled. Dr. Laura Weber-Wulff at the University of Applied Sciences of Berlin, alongside researchers across the world"
"A growing body of peer-reviewed research shows that AI detection is unreliable and easily fooled. Dr. Laura Weber-Wulff at the University of Applied Sciences of Berlin, alongside researchers across the world"
AI detection software doesn’t work. Do this instead.
Adam Sparks is a Nebraska-based educator that taught English and Social Studies for 7 years before recently finishing his master's in Learning Design and
ditchthattextbook.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:45 PM
AI detection software doesn’t work. Do this instead.
"A growing body of peer-reviewed research shows that AI detection is unreliable and easily fooled. Dr. Laura Weber-Wulff at the University of Applied Sciences of Berlin, alongside researchers across the world"
"A growing body of peer-reviewed research shows that AI detection is unreliable and easily fooled. Dr. Laura Weber-Wulff at the University of Applied Sciences of Berlin, alongside researchers across the world"
Introducing Anthropic Interviewer: What 1,250 professionals told us about working with AI
“Professionals envisioned a future with both augmentation and automation—the automation of routine, administrative tasks with the maintenance of human oversight.”
“Professionals envisioned a future with both augmentation and automation—the automation of routine, administrative tasks with the maintenance of human oversight.”
Introducing Anthropic Interviewer
What 1,250 professionals told us about working with AI
www.anthropic.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Introducing Anthropic Interviewer: What 1,250 professionals told us about working with AI
“Professionals envisioned a future with both augmentation and automation—the automation of routine, administrative tasks with the maintenance of human oversight.”
“Professionals envisioned a future with both augmentation and automation—the automation of routine, administrative tasks with the maintenance of human oversight.”
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg went all in on the metaverse. Now Reality Labs is facing big cuts.
"The company is considering budget cuts of up to 30% within its Reality Labs division, which could impact employees working on its virtual spaces platform"
"The company is considering budget cuts of up to 30% within its Reality Labs division, which could impact employees working on its virtual spaces platform"
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg went all in on the metaverse. Now Reality Labs is facing big cuts.
Meta plans Reality Labs budget cuts up to 30%, weighing job cuts amid metaverse losses and renewed focus on AI technology.
www.businessinsider.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg went all in on the metaverse. Now Reality Labs is facing big cuts.
"The company is considering budget cuts of up to 30% within its Reality Labs division, which could impact employees working on its virtual spaces platform"
"The company is considering budget cuts of up to 30% within its Reality Labs division, which could impact employees working on its virtual spaces platform"
What Democrats Must Pledge to America
"Democrats can show America that they can be better trusted than Republicans to bring prices down and real wages up by promising 10 things"***
"Democrats can show America that they can be better trusted than Republicans to bring prices down and real wages up by promising 10 things"***
What Democrats Must Pledge to America
Ten ways to make America more affordable
robertreich.substack.com
December 5, 2025 at 3:01 PM
What Democrats Must Pledge to America
"Democrats can show America that they can be better trusted than Republicans to bring prices down and real wages up by promising 10 things"***
"Democrats can show America that they can be better trusted than Republicans to bring prices down and real wages up by promising 10 things"***
5 Ways to Encourage Deep Mathematical Thinking
You can adapt the curriculum you have to create rich tasks that invite reasoning and build students’ problem-solving skills. By Jo Boaler #MathChat
You can adapt the curriculum you have to create rich tasks that invite reasoning and build students’ problem-solving skills. By Jo Boaler #MathChat
5 Ways to Encourage Deep Mathematical Thinking
You can adapt the curriculum you have to create rich tasks that invite reasoning and build students’ problem-solving skills.
www.edutopia.org
December 4, 2025 at 4:00 PM
5 Ways to Encourage Deep Mathematical Thinking
You can adapt the curriculum you have to create rich tasks that invite reasoning and build students’ problem-solving skills. By Jo Boaler #MathChat
You can adapt the curriculum you have to create rich tasks that invite reasoning and build students’ problem-solving skills. By Jo Boaler #MathChat
Neurodiversity 101:The Fusion of Brains and Machines — What Next for Neuro-Inclusion?
“In today’s tech-driven world, AI & particularly LLMs can become transformative tools for neuro-inclusion.”
“In today’s tech-driven world, AI & particularly LLMs can become transformative tools for neuro-inclusion.”
Neurodiversity 101:The Fusion of Brains and Machines — What Next for Neuro-Inclusion?
I’ve written before about the power and challenges of AI — see my earlier Neurodiversity 101 pieces on HR, EDI, and AI and Neurofuturism. A year on, the world of AI has accelerated beyond even the most optimistic predictions.
www.linkedin.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Neurodiversity 101:The Fusion of Brains and Machines — What Next for Neuro-Inclusion?
“In today’s tech-driven world, AI & particularly LLMs can become transformative tools for neuro-inclusion.”
“In today’s tech-driven world, AI & particularly LLMs can become transformative tools for neuro-inclusion.”
How Will AI Transform Creative Thinking? - Spencer Education
“When we think of creativity, it’s easy to think about it through the lens of art. This is especially true with respect to AI”
“When we think of creativity, it’s easy to think about it through the lens of art. This is especially true with respect to AI”
How Will AI Transform Creative Thinking?
As AI becomes becomes more pervasive in our daily work, we often wrestle with a big question: what should we automate and what should we protect as deeply human? We experience this profoundly in creative
spencereducation.com
December 4, 2025 at 3:15 PM
How Will AI Transform Creative Thinking? - Spencer Education
“When we think of creativity, it’s easy to think about it through the lens of art. This is especially true with respect to AI”
“When we think of creativity, it’s easy to think about it through the lens of art. This is especially true with respect to AI”
Charter School Reckoning Part II: Dissillusionment
Scandals and closures have tarnished the charter brand resulting in mounting public disillusionment with charter schools — even among progressive
policymakers who once embraced the idea.
networkforpubliceduc...
Scandals and closures have tarnished the charter brand resulting in mounting public disillusionment with charter schools — even among progressive
policymakers who once embraced the idea.
networkforpubliceduc...
December 4, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Charter School Reckoning Part II: Dissillusionment
Scandals and closures have tarnished the charter brand resulting in mounting public disillusionment with charter schools — even among progressive
policymakers who once embraced the idea.
networkforpubliceduc...
Scandals and closures have tarnished the charter brand resulting in mounting public disillusionment with charter schools — even among progressive
policymakers who once embraced the idea.
networkforpubliceduc...
Why Teaching is Harder When the Math is Easier - Dan Meyer
From Dan: "I need new ideas for doing conceptual work at classroom scale."
From me: Me, too! Excellent computer simulations make guess & check too much fun so there's little if any Mathing!! #iTeachMath #MathChat
From Dan: "I need new ideas for doing conceptual work at classroom scale."
From me: Me, too! Excellent computer simulations make guess & check too much fun so there's little if any Mathing!! #iTeachMath #MathChat
Why Teaching is Harder When the Math is Easier
I got humbled in class today.
danmeyer.substack.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Why Teaching is Harder When the Math is Easier - Dan Meyer
From Dan: "I need new ideas for doing conceptual work at classroom scale."
From me: Me, too! Excellent computer simulations make guess & check too much fun so there's little if any Mathing!! #iTeachMath #MathChat
From Dan: "I need new ideas for doing conceptual work at classroom scale."
From me: Me, too! Excellent computer simulations make guess & check too much fun so there's little if any Mathing!! #iTeachMath #MathChat
Neurodiversity 101:Reasonable adjustments: it all starts with a conversation | LinkedIn
"adjustments are not about ticking boxes, or about providing everything an employee asks for. They are about creating workplaces where people can do their best work"
"adjustments are not about ticking boxes, or about providing everything an employee asks for. They are about creating workplaces where people can do their best work"
Neurodiversity 101:Reasonable adjustments: it all starts with a conversation
I am concerned that with increasing tribunals being cited relating to neurodiversity we will have a back lash by employers willing to see the skills and talents of someone who shares information about themselves and adjustments they may need to do their job optimally. There is no doubt that the whol
www.linkedin.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:15 PM
Neurodiversity 101:Reasonable adjustments: it all starts with a conversation | LinkedIn
"adjustments are not about ticking boxes, or about providing everything an employee asks for. They are about creating workplaces where people can do their best work"
"adjustments are not about ticking boxes, or about providing everything an employee asks for. They are about creating workplaces where people can do their best work"
A.J. Juliani | Why Students Need Structure (and Variety) For High Engagement
"Students need both alignment and autonomy. They thrive on rituals that ground them and variety that sparks them."
"Students need both alignment and autonomy. They thrive on rituals that ground them and variety that sparks them."
A.J. Juliani | Why Students Need Structure (and Variety) For High Engagement
Maya Lin designed a memorial where ritual creates stability and variety
creates living meaning. Japanese Lesson Study shows that classrooms thrive
on the same balance. Both remind us that students flourish when learning
environments offer both anchors and sparks.
For teachers, this principle is practical wisdom: establish rituals that
provide security, then layer variety that excites. Too much of either tips
the scale; balance brings engagement.
Beyond school, the same truth applies. Families thrive on rituals like
meals together but cherish variety in vacations. Workplaces need reliable
processes but also innovation. Communities rely on traditions but are
energized by change.
Stability comforts. Variety excites. Engagement lives in the rhythm between
the two.
www.ajjuliani.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:00 PM
A.J. Juliani | Why Students Need Structure (and Variety) For High Engagement
"Students need both alignment and autonomy. They thrive on rituals that ground them and variety that sparks them."
"Students need both alignment and autonomy. They thrive on rituals that ground them and variety that sparks them."
Why Hope is Fundamental to Achieving Goals and Combatting Cynicism | KQED
“But there’s hope – or at least, the science of hope, a measurable ability to set goals, push forward and track your own path to completion of those goals”
“But there’s hope – or at least, the science of hope, a measurable ability to set goals, push forward and track your own path to completion of those goals”
Why Hope is Fundamental to Achieving Goals and Combatting Cynicism | KQED
Identifying goals, developing steps to achieve those goals and finding ways to overcome potential obstacles can have the added benefit of cultivating hope in cynical times.
www.kqed.org
December 3, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Why Hope is Fundamental to Achieving Goals and Combatting Cynicism | KQED
“But there’s hope – or at least, the science of hope, a measurable ability to set goals, push forward and track your own path to completion of those goals”
“But there’s hope – or at least, the science of hope, a measurable ability to set goals, push forward and track your own path to completion of those goals”
The International Space Station Marks 25 Years of Continuous Human Presence - NASA
"On Nov. 2, 2025, NASA honored 25 years of continuous human presence aboard the International Space Station."
"On Nov. 2, 2025, NASA honored 25 years of continuous human presence aboard the International Space Station."
The International Space Station Marks 25 Years of Continuous Human Presence - NASA
On Nov. 2, 2025, NASA honored 25 years of continuous human presence aboard the International Space Station. What began as a fragile framework of modules has
www.nasa.gov
December 3, 2025 at 3:30 PM
The International Space Station Marks 25 Years of Continuous Human Presence - NASA
"On Nov. 2, 2025, NASA honored 25 years of continuous human presence aboard the International Space Station."
"On Nov. 2, 2025, NASA honored 25 years of continuous human presence aboard the International Space Station."
Sugars, ‘Gum,’ Stardust Found in NASA's Asteroid Bennu Samples - NASA
"The Bennu samples also contained one of the most common forms of “food” (or energy) used by life on Earth, the sugar glucose, which is the first evidence that an important energy source for life"
"The Bennu samples also contained one of the most common forms of “food” (or energy) used by life on Earth, the sugar glucose, which is the first evidence that an important energy source for life"
Sugars, ‘Gum,’ Stardust Found in NASA's Asteroid Bennu Samples - NASA
The asteroid Bennu continues to provide new clues to scientists’ biggest questions about the formation of the early solar system and the origins of life. As
www.nasa.gov
December 3, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Sugars, ‘Gum,’ Stardust Found in NASA's Asteroid Bennu Samples - NASA
"The Bennu samples also contained one of the most common forms of “food” (or energy) used by life on Earth, the sugar glucose, which is the first evidence that an important energy source for life"
"The Bennu samples also contained one of the most common forms of “food” (or energy) used by life on Earth, the sugar glucose, which is the first evidence that an important energy source for life"
New Zealand Makes Cryptocurrency Education Mandatory in Schools by 2027 - CoinCentral
"New Zealand will require financial literacy and cryptocurrency education for students Years 1-10 starting in 2026, with full implementation by 2027."
"New Zealand will require financial literacy and cryptocurrency education for students Years 1-10 starting in 2026, with full implementation by 2027."
New Zealand Makes Cryptocurrency Education Mandatory in Schools by 2027 - CoinCentral
New Zealand will require financial literacy and cryptocurrency education for students Years 1-10 starting in 2026, with full implementation by 2027.
coincentral.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:00 PM
New Zealand Makes Cryptocurrency Education Mandatory in Schools by 2027 - CoinCentral
"New Zealand will require financial literacy and cryptocurrency education for students Years 1-10 starting in 2026, with full implementation by 2027."
"New Zealand will require financial literacy and cryptocurrency education for students Years 1-10 starting in 2026, with full implementation by 2027."
Class Character Cards | Mr. Gonzalez's Classroom
“Having students use image generating AI to make character cards for my Star Trek gamification class theme proved to be so cool last year that I did it again this year! Image generators have gotten so much better.”
“Having students use image generating AI to make character cards for my Star Trek gamification class theme proved to be so cool last year that I did it again this year! Image generators have gotten so much better.”
Class Character Cards
Having students use image generating AI to make character cards for my Star Trek gamification class theme proved to be so cool last year that I did it again this year! I wrote about it last year when we did it and one year later, image generation has gotten much better and easier! Last year ...
educatoral.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Class Character Cards | Mr. Gonzalez's Classroom
“Having students use image generating AI to make character cards for my Star Trek gamification class theme proved to be so cool last year that I did it again this year! Image generators have gotten so much better.”
“Having students use image generating AI to make character cards for my Star Trek gamification class theme proved to be so cool last year that I did it again this year! Image generators have gotten so much better.”
Design Your Own Historical Mysteries With AI – Copy / Paste
“A teacher describes their course, unit, and topic, chooses middle school or high school level, and the AI returns a ready-to-use mystery built around a real historical question.”
“A teacher describes their course, unit, and topic, chooses middle school or high school level, and the AI returns a ready-to-use mystery built around a real historical question.”
Design Your Own Historical Mysteries With AI
Turn your students into historical detectives. This post shows how to use AI to build custom “mystery” activities where every student holds a clue and the whole class has to talk, argue, and piece …
peterpappas.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Design Your Own Historical Mysteries With AI – Copy / Paste
“A teacher describes their course, unit, and topic, chooses middle school or high school level, and the AI returns a ready-to-use mystery built around a real historical question.”
“A teacher describes their course, unit, and topic, chooses middle school or high school level, and the AI returns a ready-to-use mystery built around a real historical question.”
What a Changing Profession Is Trying to Tell Us
“The profession is changing. The building feels different than it did twenty years ago. Whether that difference strengthens or diminishes what we do remains an open question.”
“The profession is changing. The building feels different than it did twenty years ago. Whether that difference strengthens or diminishes what we do remains an open question.”
What a Changing Profession Is Trying to Tell Us
There is a shift happening in our schools, and you can feel it. You see it in the staffroom, in the parking lot, in the subtle ways younger teachers talk about their work. They draw clearer lines b…
cultureofyes.ca
December 2, 2025 at 4:00 PM
What a Changing Profession Is Trying to Tell Us
“The profession is changing. The building feels different than it did twenty years ago. Whether that difference strengthens or diminishes what we do remains an open question.”
“The profession is changing. The building feels different than it did twenty years ago. Whether that difference strengthens or diminishes what we do remains an open question.”
Why are we so polarized (II)?
"The publisher of the Oxford English Dictionary has named “rage bait” its phrase of the year. Call it the monetization of rage. Rage has become a valuable commodity. A growing number of online creators are making rage bait."
"The publisher of the Oxford English Dictionary has named “rage bait” its phrase of the year. Call it the monetization of rage. Rage has become a valuable commodity. A growing number of online creators are making rage bait."
Why are we so polarized (II)?
Why We’re So Polarized (II)
robertreich.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Why are we so polarized (II)?
"The publisher of the Oxford English Dictionary has named “rage bait” its phrase of the year. Call it the monetization of rage. Rage has become a valuable commodity. A growing number of online creators are making rage bait."
"The publisher of the Oxford English Dictionary has named “rage bait” its phrase of the year. Call it the monetization of rage. Rage has become a valuable commodity. A growing number of online creators are making rage bait."
School AI and MagicSchool AI for Some Math | Mr. Gonzalez's Classroom
"With School AI’s upgrade to 2.0 way into the beta stage, I tried it along with MagicSchool AI to see how they perform in Math."
"With School AI’s upgrade to 2.0 way into the beta stage, I tried it along with MagicSchool AI to see how they perform in Math."
School AI and MagicSchool AI for Some Math
With School AI's upgrade to 2.0 way into the beta stage, I tried it along with MagicSchool AI to see how they perform in Math. I have been creating Magic Student rooms for each Math unit I teach to provide students an optional support if they are feeling stuck and either I'm not available or ...
educatoral.com
December 1, 2025 at 5:00 PM
School AI and MagicSchool AI for Some Math | Mr. Gonzalez's Classroom
"With School AI’s upgrade to 2.0 way into the beta stage, I tried it along with MagicSchool AI to see how they perform in Math."
"With School AI’s upgrade to 2.0 way into the beta stage, I tried it along with MagicSchool AI to see how they perform in Math."
Control Alt Achieve: Gemini Goes Bananas: The Ultimate Guide to AI Infographics
“One of the most interesting use cases I have seen for the new image model is generating infographics.”
“One of the most interesting use cases I have seen for the new image model is generating infographics.”
Gemini Goes Bananas: The Ultimate Guide to AI Infographics
Recently Gemini released a big update to their image generation feature (code named Nano Banana Pro ). This new version is more powerful an...
www.controlaltachieve.com
November 30, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Control Alt Achieve: Gemini Goes Bananas: The Ultimate Guide to AI Infographics
“One of the most interesting use cases I have seen for the new image model is generating infographics.”
“One of the most interesting use cases I have seen for the new image model is generating infographics.”
Beyond the Blocks: How Minecraft Education Builds Future-Ready Students | LinkedIn
"something much bigger is happening. Minecraft Education isn’t just teaching students how to play — it’s preparing them to live, work, & thrive in a digital world."
"something much bigger is happening. Minecraft Education isn’t just teaching students how to play — it’s preparing them to live, work, & thrive in a digital world."
Beyond the Blocks: How Minecraft Education Builds Future-Ready Students
When most people think of Minecraft, they imagine kids stacking pixelated blocks into castles or rollercoasters. But in classrooms around the world, something much bigger is happening.
www.linkedin.com
November 30, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Beyond the Blocks: How Minecraft Education Builds Future-Ready Students | LinkedIn
"something much bigger is happening. Minecraft Education isn’t just teaching students how to play — it’s preparing them to live, work, & thrive in a digital world."
"something much bigger is happening. Minecraft Education isn’t just teaching students how to play — it’s preparing them to live, work, & thrive in a digital world."
How NotebookLM Can Transform Your Instructional Coaching Practice
"help you synthesize information, create engaging content, & save hours of prep time? Enter NotebookLM, Google's AI-powered workspace that's revolutionizing how coaches work with information."
"help you synthesize information, create engaging content, & save hours of prep time? Enter NotebookLM, Google's AI-powered workspace that's revolutionizing how coaches work with information."
Transform Your Instructional Coaching with Notebook LM Today
Unlock the power of NotebookLM in instructional coaching! Discover how AI can enhance your teaching strategies, streamline workflows, and create engaging content tailored to your needs. Learn more!
teachercast.net
November 30, 2025 at 6:00 PM
How NotebookLM Can Transform Your Instructional Coaching Practice
"help you synthesize information, create engaging content, & save hours of prep time? Enter NotebookLM, Google's AI-powered workspace that's revolutionizing how coaches work with information."
"help you synthesize information, create engaging content, & save hours of prep time? Enter NotebookLM, Google's AI-powered workspace that's revolutionizing how coaches work with information."
Setting Up Classroom AI Policy | Mr. Gonzalez's Classroom
“I’m updating how I facilitate creating a classroom AI policy with my 6th grade Math and Science students. Things have changed since I first wrote about this process.”
“I’m updating how I facilitate creating a classroom AI policy with my 6th grade Math and Science students. Things have changed since I first wrote about this process.”
Setting Up Classroom AI Policy
I'm updating how I facilitate creating a classroom AI policy with my 6th grade Math and Science students. Things have changed since I first wrote about this process. I start with the following slideshow presented with Pear Deck so that all students can interact with the interactive slides. Slides 12 through 21 were taken and ...
educatoral.com
November 29, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Setting Up Classroom AI Policy | Mr. Gonzalez's Classroom
“I’m updating how I facilitate creating a classroom AI policy with my 6th grade Math and Science students. Things have changed since I first wrote about this process.”
“I’m updating how I facilitate creating a classroom AI policy with my 6th grade Math and Science students. Things have changed since I first wrote about this process.”
Lisa Nielsen: The Innovative Educator: Stacking Funding Options for College: A Better Alternative to Federal Loans
“resource compiled for school staff & families to discuss funding opportunities that reduce long-term debt and increase financial stability”
“resource compiled for school staff & families to discuss funding opportunities that reduce long-term debt and increase financial stability”
Stacking Funding Options for College: A Better Alternative to Federal Loans
A blog to share ideas about innovative, real, and relevant learning.
theinnovativeeducator.blogspot.com
November 29, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Lisa Nielsen: The Innovative Educator: Stacking Funding Options for College: A Better Alternative to Federal Loans
“resource compiled for school staff & families to discuss funding opportunities that reduce long-term debt and increase financial stability”
“resource compiled for school staff & families to discuss funding opportunities that reduce long-term debt and increase financial stability”