Episode #59: AI Essentials w/ Joni Gutierrez

<p>In Episode #59 of <em>Simon Says: Educate!</em>, Ronald Lethcoe is joined by Joni Gutierrez, co-chair of the Washington State ELC AI Task Force and accessible technology specialist at Tacoma Community College. Together, they reflect on the launch of the new <strong>AI Essentials</strong> course created for Washington’s community and technical college system.</p><p>They discuss the urgent need for shared AI vocabulary, the course’s accessibility and practical design, and the guiding framework known as the A-E-I-O-U ethos (Accessible, Equitable, Inclusive, Open, and Universal). Joni and Ronald highlight how the course empowers faculty and staff to engage with AI responsibly, explore its use as a collaborator, and consider when to integrate or avoid it based on human values and context.</p><p>The episode also explores AI’s potential to support personalized learning, multimedia content creation, and accessibility in higher education, while urging educators to stay informed, intentional, and energy-conscious.</p><p>Preview the course here:<br><a href="https://sbctc.instructure.com/courses/2684965" target="_new" rel="noopener">AI Essentials Course (Canvas)</a></p><p>Check out Joni&#39;s blog post on AI Essentials: <a href="https://jonigutierrez.com/2025/11/02/gutierrez-lethcoes-ai-essentials-in-education-ai-ed-responsible-ai-literacy-course-for-a-human-centered-future/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Gutierrez &amp; Lethcoe’s AI Essentials in Education (AI-Ed): Responsible AI Literacy Course for a Human-Centered Future</a></p><p>Connect with Joni on LinkedIn: <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/joni-gutierrez-phd/overlay/about-this-profile/">Joni Gutierrez, Ph.D.</a></p>