About the Event

With information—and generative tools—always at their fingertips, today’s students risk "cognitive off-loading," or outsourcing everything from critical thinking to basic recall to external devices. As educators, how do we pivot from punishing this behavior to designing around it?

This webinar moves past the AI panic to focus on practical, evidence-based instructional design. We will explore how to restructure assignments, assessments, and classroom discussions to place a premium on unique human cognition. Join us to discover how you can design learning experiences that motivate students to engage, think deeply, and reclaim ownership of their own intellectual growth.

About the Participants

Dr. James Basham, University of Kansas (Guest)

Dr. Elisabeth Bauer, University of Augsburg (Guest)

Anil Hurkadli (Host)

Anil HurkadliAnil B. Hurkadli's experience sits at the intersection of policy and practice. Prior to working with the Google for Education team, Anil served at the U.S. Department of Education as Acting Deputy Director for the Office of Educational Technology and Chief of Staff for the Office of Planning, Evaluation, and Policy Development. His role included shaping guidance on AI’s use in educational settings and advising the Education Secretary and other senior agency officials on issues related to emerging technologies and digital equity. 

In addition to his education policy experience, Anil taught at the University of Minnesota's Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs and Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government and coached educators at the primary, secondary, and post-secondary levels. Anil was also the Senior Vice President of Community Impact with the Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation; in that role, he managed philanthropic partnerships with city, county, and state governments to implement innovative policy solutions. He previously worked with the Thrivent Foundation, Teach For America, and Minneapolis Public Schools. Anil holds degrees from Northwestern University, the University of Minnesota, and Harvard University.