Meet the OEB24 Speakers: Keynote Jane Bozarth

Through a series of intriguing questions, here we delve into Jane Bozarth’s inspirations and insights. From reminiscences of influential educators to pivotal life lessons, and from the impact of AI to the role of YouTube in modern learning.

Who, or what, was your most important teacher?

Jean Gardner Nicholson, who taught me to read via phonics back when that was still a relatively new idea and who introduced me to Pippi Longstocking, the role model for my adult life.

What was your most important lesson?

I never once, not ever, heard my father complain about work, going to work, having to go to work, or having to deal with something at work. He taught me that work could be a meaningful, interesting, important part of life not to be dreaded or hated – and that it was up to  me to make it that way.

What current learning trend do you think will have a lasting impact?

I think the impact of AI will surpass the hype although we have only scratched the surface of what it will do.

Which technology, in your view, had the biggest influence on the way we learn now?

YouTube taught people that they can identify their own learning needs, choose the best way to learn something for themselves, that “learning” is really often “solving a problem”, and that learning experiences are best when they are at the ready, easily located, at the moment of need.

What is the coolest gadget/ technology/ tool you have seen lately?

The customisable video templates from Synthesia: Make one (for instance) “welcome” video for new hires and populate it via spreadsheet to customize viewer name, role, office setting, location, etc.

What would be the title of your autobiography?

“Nana Bubbles: Life on the Front Row.”

What was your first thought about our overall theme, ‘Brace for Transformation: The Courage to Redefine Learning’?

That we will be hearing a LOT of talk about AI, but unlike past promises of “transformation” this really might be it.

Do you have a final message for the OEB community?

As practitioners facing ever-evolving technology and other change it is crucial to remember: Our job is to consider how they can learn it, not how we can teach it.

Thank you, Jane. Jane Bozarth will be speaking at the OEB Annual Debate and her session, ‘AI and Learning Analytics: Ethics and Trust‘.