AI Meets Law: How the UAE Is Building the World’s First Dynamic Legislative Ecosystem
In this exclusive article for Stankevicius, I explore the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) comprehensive transformation of its legislative system through the strategic integration of artificial intelligence (AI). With the UAE Cabinet’s approval of an AI-powered legislative ecosystem, the nation is boldly stepping into a new era of governance where laws evolve in real-time, powered by data and artificial intelligence. This paradigm shift signifies the UAE’s strategic vision: legislation that is efficient and adaptive to the social, economic, and technological currents of the 21st century.
The ASTUTE(C) AI Teaching infographic is designed for educators, faculty developers, instructional designers, and academic leadership seeking to strategically incorporate AI tools into teaching and learning. It provides a structured overview of over 50 curated tools organized into thematic categories such as Assessment, Content Creation, Data Analysis, Communication, and Productivity. Each tool is directly linked for immediate access, allowing users to explore and adopt solutions that align with their instructional goals. The infographic is especially useful in faculty training, curriculum redesign, and educational technology planning, offering a practical entry point for those navigating the expanding AI landscape. Centered on six pedagogical principles—Adaptive, Strategic, Technologically-Enhanced, Upskilling, Teaching, and Enrichment—it serves as a roadmap for institutions aiming to build AI capacity with intention and clarity.
A background in prompt engineering helps language educators refine curriculum development approaches, streamline lesson planning, and craft assessments and rubrics that address the diverse needs of multilingual learners (MLs). Educators can direct Large Language Models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, ClaudeAI, Cohere, Gemini, and others to produce diverse forms of instructional content by crafting prompts to elicit specific language features, ranging from controlled grammar exercises to rubrics.
Cowin, J. (2025, March). Precision in practice: Structured prompting strategies to enhance TESOL. TESOL International On CALL Newsletter. https://my.tesol.org/news/1166339
Touro University Graduate School of Education 💡 I am honored to deliver “A Practical AI Toolkit for Educators” on April 10, 2025, at 1:00 PM CET, which will focus on practical AI tools to enhance teaching strategies. Don’t miss this opportunity to integrate AI into your educational practices! Enroll now: https://lnkd.in/drZ-X9zu (The session link will be sent 2 days in advance) Organized by: Cinta Gallent Torres-Torres & Laura Angelini, ASPAI Project Universidad Católica de Valencia San Vicente Mártir Thank you to my dear colleague Orna Levin, who created the connection with Cinta and Laura. ✔️ We are stronger when we support each other!
Celebrating Exemplar Work in TESOL One of the most rewarding aspects of my role as faculty at Touro University’s TESOL & Bilingual department is the opportunity to highlight and honor the exceptional work of our students – work that embodies the high standards we aspire to our TESOL & Bilingual Education department under the leadership of Seongshin Kim, Ph.D. – Chair/Associate Professor for TESOL, Bilingual Education, & Teaching Literacy. When students grant permission to publish their work, they allow us to share model examples of excellence that illustrate the effective integration of theory and practice in our field. This act not only celebrates their achievement but also fuels a commitment to continuous improvement and ethical teaching practices.
The Value of Publishing Student Work By publishing exemplary student work, we: 1. Validate their efforts and creativity: Recognizing outstanding accomplishments reinforces a culture of achievement and motivates others to strive for excellence. 2. Showcase authentic application of learning: These works serve as tangible examples of how theory—especially historical perspectives on language acquisition and current teaching methods—translates into effective classroom practice. 3. Promote transparency and scholarly dialogue: Sharing these projects encourages constructive discussion among educators and candidates, furthering professional growth and innovation.
Connection to AAQEP Standards Linking this practice to AAQEP standards emphasizes the importance of quality assurance and rigorous assessment in educational programs. AAQEP champions initiatives that demonstrate: 1. Evidence-based Practice: The publication of exemplar work acts as concrete evidence of effective instructional strategies and culturally responsive teaching—key tenets of Touro’s TESOL paradigm. 2. Continuous Improvement: By openly sharing high-quality work, we establish benchmarks that peer educators and teacher candidates can analyze and aspire to, fostering an environment of consistent professional development. 3. Accountability and Transparency: This process highlights our commitment to ethical practices and quality instruction, reinforcing the values that AAQEP standards advocate. In essence, when exemplary student projects are disseminated publicly (with the proper permissions), they serve as motivational tools and proof points for the quality and impact of our instructional approaches. By publishing work produced in such a dynamic and impactful course, I am not just celebrating student success; I am also providing a clear, accessible model of how thoughtful integration of differentiated instruction and cultural responsiveness can lead to authentic excellence for aspiring TESOL & Bilingual teachers.
This course provides a historical overview of second language acquisition theories and teaching methods. Students learn how to apply current approaches, methods and techniques, with attention to the effective use of materials, in teaching English as a second language. Students will engage in the planning and implementation of standards-based ESL instruction which includes differentiated learning experiences geared to students’ needs. Emphasis is placed on creating culturally responsive learning environments. Includes 15 hours of field work.
Sandy Gonzalez holds a B.S. in Legal Studies from Post University and an M.S. in Education from St. John’s University. As a Special Education Secondary Generalist since 2013, she has always been dedicated to supporting diverse learners. Already fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, and English, intermediate in Italian, and now learning French, she is currently pursuing an Advanced Bilingual Teaching Certificate at Touro University to better serve the growing needs of English Language Learners in her high school. Her passion for language learning and inclusive education drives her commitment to empowering students with the skills and confidence to succeed.
Touro University has reinforced my passion for bilingual education while allowing me to grow as an educator enhancing my teaching strategies to better support the diverse linguistic backgrounds of my students.
Sandy Gonzalez, Touro University Bilingual Teaching Certificate Candidate
This comprehensive course builds upon the foundation of curriculum development and classroom management in the context of teaching English language learners. Expanding its horizons to embrace the digital age, the course adeptly weaves innovative technology integration into the domain of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). Crafted to empower prospective TESOL/BLE educators, the course hones in on fostering competence in designing, implementing, assessing, and reflecting within diverse language learning environments, all while capitalizing on the potentials of cutting-edge technology. With a strong focus on practical application and discerning appraisal of technological tools, this course primes upcoming educators to excel amidst the ever-evolving educational landscape. Includes 10 hours of field work.
Jennifer Taranto, is currently enrolled in the Touro University TESOL master’s program. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Touro University in June 2023 and secured a teaching position immediately under a special education license. Now, in her second year of teaching, she approaches each day with a sense of gratitude and fulfillment. She shares: “This is my second year teaching, and every morning when I walk into my room, I feel extremely blessed and grateful.”
Touro is not just about learning facts, but about learning how to think, grow, and navigate the journey of becoming who I was meant to be.
Jennifer Taranto, Touro University TESOL master’s candidate
Jennifer Taranto: This was my first time creating a mind map. The assignment was to align NYS Next Generation Standards to the TESOL Curriculum. For aspiring ENL teachers, understanding how to align the NYS Next Generation Standards with TESOL instruction is crucial for delivering effective, meaningful, and legally compliant instruction. This alignment helps create an inclusive classroom where English learners can develop language proficiency while mastering grade-level academic content, ultimately setting them up for long-term success.
Jennifer Taranto: For this Padlet assignment in EDDN 635, I curated 9 favorite Tech tools. Each resource is broken down into descriptions, educational use, community engagement, and challenges. By completing this Padlet assignment, educators and students gain a well-rounded perspective on educational technology, learning how to leverage tech tools for student success, foster community connections, and navigate challenges. It is a valuable resource for future classroom integration and professional growth in a technology-driven educational landscape.
I am grateful to our collaborative, transdisciplinary and international work with Dr. Cristo Leon, Ph.D., James Lipuma, and Mauricio Rangel-Jimenez. 🚨 “Meta-participation and ethical transparency in role-playing games: Examining AI and algorithmic influence.” Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) and other non-human participants in role-playing games (RPGs) has brought new dimensions to interactive storytelling and game design. As AI evolves to simulate human-like interactions more convincingly, its role in games raises significant ethical questions, particularly regarding transparency and player agency. This paper critically examines these issues, focusing on the concept of the meta-participant—the programmer or author responsible for designing the AI’s decision-making algorithms— and the implications of their invisible influence and personal bias on the gaming experience of human players. Leon, C., Lipuma, J., Cowin, J., & Rangel-Jimenez, M. (2025). Meta-participation and ethical transparency in role-playing games: Examining AI and algorithmic influence [Peer-reviewed journal]. STEM for Success Resources(101). https://lnkd.in/eHSifda7
Students will become acquainted with and practice effective approaches, methods, and strategies for teaching and evaluating English language learners in the content areas (ELA, social studies, math and science). Throughout the course, students will explore the impact of culture and language on classroom learning. Special challenges in teaching and assessment in each content area will also be discussed. Includes 15 hours of field work.
Anastasios Panagiotidis is a dedicated high school Earth Science teacher serving the South Huntington Union Free School District. As he approaches his tenure year at the age of 25, he recognizes that his career is still in its early stages. However, his passion for education and commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment drive his work every day. Inspired by the culturally and academically diverse student population he teaches, he strives to design engaging, student-centered lessons that not only address individual needs but also connect learning to real-world contexts. His ultimate goal is to ensure that every student, regardless of their language proficiency or academic abilities, has the opportunity to reach their fullest potential under his instruction.
Touro University contributes to the tools, knowledge, and wisdom I strive to acquire as I continue to develop and mature as an educator, while allowing me the opportunity to broaden my horizons in a wide variety of areas relative to the rapidly evolving field of education.
Anastasios Panagiotidis, Touro University TESOL candidate
The SIOP Model: An Essential Framework for ESL Instruction by Prof. Dr. Jasmin Cowin
The Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol (SIOP) is a research-based instructional model designed to support English Learners (ELs) in developing both content knowledge and English language proficiency simultaneously. Developed by Echevarria, Vogt, and Short, the SIOP model provides a structured approach to lesson planning and delivery, ensuring that ELs receive comprehensible input and meaningful language support across content areas.
As a TESOL educator, understanding and implementing the SIOP model is essential for effective ESL instruction. The model provides a structured yet flexible framework that ensures ELs have equitable access to academic content while simultaneously developing their language proficiency. By integrating language and content instruction, teachers can create an inclusive classroom environment that promotes both linguistic and cognitive development for English Learners.
The SIOP Model: Components and Structure
The SIOP framework consists of eight interrelated components that guide teachers in designing effective lessons for ELs:
Lesson Preparation
Clearly defined content and language objectives
Use of supplementary materials to support comprehension
Meaningful activities that integrate both content and language practice
Building Background
Explicitly linking students’ background knowledge to new content
Connecting past learning experiences to new concepts
Introducing and reinforcing key vocabulary
Comprehensible Input
Adjusting speech for EL proficiency levels
Using clear explanations of academic tasks
Incorporating visuals, gestures, and realia to support understanding
Strategies
Teaching students learning strategies to support comprehension
Encouraging metacognitive awareness and self-monitoring of learning
Scaffolding tasks through teacher modeling, guided practice, and peer collaboration
Interaction
Promoting student-to-student discourse using structured peer interactions
Designing opportunities for extended academic conversations
Encouraging collaborative learning experiences
Practice & Application
Providing hands-on learning experiences
Integrating reading, writing, speaking, and listening activities
Allowing ELs to apply language skills in meaningful contexts
Lesson Delivery
Ensuring objectives are clearly communicated and met
Keeping students engaged and maintaining an appropriate pace
Aligning instruction with student needs
Review & Assessment
Regularly reviewing key concepts and vocabulary
Conducting formative assessments to monitor comprehension
Providing feedback to guide language and content development
Anastasios Panagiotidis’ Discussion Board provides excellent insight into Building Background.
Welcome to my newest exploration: From Research to AI: Language Learning in 2050: A Technological and Cultural Forecast, a podcast where I explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping academic work—not just in the classroom, but in the way we disseminate knowledge itself.
As researchers, we write, analyze, and synthesize ideas, but what happens when we use AI tools to take our work beyond the written word? In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of my latest research on the future of language education – examining how AI, multimodal learning, and cross-cultural adaptability might redefine teaching by 2050.
But here’s the twist: this podcast wasn’t scripted in the traditional way. Instead, I uploaded my work into NotebookLM, an AI-powered tool designed to transform written work into interactive and engaging formats. From text to voice, from static research to dynamic dialogue—this episode is an experiment in what AI can do for academic communication.
Join me as tow AI generated personas not only discuss the future of language education but also reflect on how AI is changing the way we share and interact with research itself. What does this mean for acadmics, educators, students, and the future of knowledge dissemination?
Click the link to listen to this AI generated podcast!
On January 7th, 2025, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg stunned the media, the public, and political world by announcing in a Facebook video an end to Meta’s longstanding fact-checking Meta for Media program. Instead, Meta will be implementing “community notes,” a system based on Elon Musk’s user-driven moderation strategy on X (formerly Twitter). Zuckerberg stated in the video, “It’s time to get back to our roots around free expression. We’re replacing fact checkers with Community Notes, simplifying our policies…” read more at Stankevicius:
Dr. J's Education Blog 