About This Episode
Season 6. Episode 1.
Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a futuristic concept—it’s already in our classrooms, shaping how students learn and how teachers teach. But with every new technology comes new questions. In this episode of Education Insight, Dr. Jeff Oldfield, Executive Director of Innovation and Competitive Advantage at the Riverside County Office of Education, shares his perspective on the opportunities and challenges that AI brings to K–12 education.
Drawing on his experience as a former Education Leadership Executive at Apple, Dr. Oldfield discusses how AI tools can help address everyday classroom challenges, lighten the load for overworked teachers, and even close critical learning gaps. At the same time, he dives into pressing concerns around student privacy, data use, environmental impact, and the ethical role of tech companies in education.
This wide-ranging conversation explores how teachers are responding to AI, whether schools truly understand the technology, and what it will take to ensure AI doesn’t make education more impersonal but instead creates smarter, safer, and more equitable learning environments. For parents, educators, and community members alike, this episode offers candid insights and thought-provoking questions about how AI is reshaping the future of education—and what we should be striving for as it continues to evolve.
Featured Guest
Dr. Jeff Oldfield
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Interview Highlights
3:57 – Adrienne describes dual enrollment and its benefits.
7:15 – Adrienne speaks to how recent California mandates and initiatives may have influenced the growth of these new programs.
8:34 – Adrienne explains what research shows about the impact of dual enrollment on a student’s academic achievements or even their future success.
9:24 – Adrienne shares examples of dual enrollment activities that are taking place in our region and what is happening in the IE.
13:11 – Adrienne talks about strategies in place to make sure that equal opportunities are available for all students.
20:18 – Jorge explains how dual enrollment aligns with his role at Riverside County Unified School District.
21:28 – Jorge shares his experiences and thoughts on the current dual enrollment programs that are being offered at Riverside Unified School District.
23:32 – Jorge gives insight into how dual enrollment makes students career ready.
25:58 – Jorge describes what challenges students typically face in dual enrollment programs and how he addresses those issues.
32:43 – Jorge shares what he would like to see be the future of the dual enrollment program in his district and beyond.
36:31 – Special Feature: Avijeet Randhawa, 8th-Grader, Auburndale Intermediate School in the Corona Norco Unified School District.
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Education Insight tells the story of education in the Inland Empire through the diverse voices of those in and around the regional education community. The show is produced by Growing Inland Achievement, a collective impact organization in the Inland Empire with a mission to increase economic prosperity in the region by increasing educational attainment. Hosted by 30-year broadcast veteran Lacey Kendall, monthly shows explore topics ranging from education challenges and shortcomings to innovations and groundbreaking ideas that are driving student success.