Hi, I’m Bill. You may know me on Twitter as @billselak. As an educator, I use technology to shape the experience of each of my students. I talk about that here, on "Bill Selak Talks."
San Jose
You've heard the story behind the music, now it's time to listen to the track itself. Here's Happy Face, the sixth song from Rising Decline's 9-track album, newly remixed and reimagined with the power of AI. This is part of my 18-episode series, where I break down each track from the album, share the process, […]
In this episode, we're diving into track five of Rising Decline's second album, Camden Road. This episode unpacks the complexities of authenticity in education through the song “Happy Face.” I break down the bass lines and share how the joy of performing led me to reflect on the emotional masks we wear—especially in education. From […]
You've heard the story behind the music, now it's time to listen to the track itself. Here's I Got Fired From Moondoggies, the fifth song from Rising Decline's 9-track album, newly remixed and reimagined with the power of AI. This is part of my 18-episode series, where I break down each track from the album, […]
In this episode, we're diving into track five of Rising Decline's second album, Camden Road. This episode unpacks the hilarious (and insightful) story behind “I Got Fired from Moondoggies,” written by our singer Brent after—well—you guessed it, getting fired from a surf shop. We'll talk about the bridge (both the musical kind and the life […]
You've heard the story behind the music, now it's time to listen to the track itself. Here's Lemonade, the fourty song from Rising Decline's 9-track album, newly remixed and reimagined with the power of AI. This is part of my 18-episode series, where I break down each track from the album, share the process, and […]
In this episode, I talk about the creation and meaning behind “Lemonade,” the fourth track from Rising Decline's second album, Camden Road. I reflect on the heaviness of life and how art, particularly music, serves as a refuge and a means of processing emotions.I discuss the importance of creating art for the sake of expression, […]
You've heard the story behind the music, now it's time to listen to the track itself. Here's Carousel, the second song from Rising Decline's 9-track album, newly remixed and reimagined with the power of AI. This is part of my 18-episode series, where I break down each track from the album, share the process, and […]
In this episode, I dive into the collaborative magic of music and how it transforms into lessons for the classroom. Reflecting on my journey with my punk rock band, Rising Decline, and the newly remixed track “Carousel,” I explore how being present and relying on others—whether in a band or a classroom—creates something greater than […]
You've heard the story behind the music, now it's time to listen to the track itself. Here's Picture Framed Candle, the second song from Rising Decline's 9-track album, newly remixed and reimagined with the power of AI. This is part of my 18-episode series, where I break down each track from the album, share the […]
In this episode, join me as we dive into the second track of Rising Decline's unreleased album, Camden Road. Discover the magic of AI in music production as I remix “Picture Framed Candle” using Logic Pro's stem splitter. This innovative tool allows me to breathe new life into our old punk rock tracks by separating […]
You've heard the story behind the music, now it's time to listen to the track itself. Here's Camden Road, the first song from Rising Decline's 9-track album, newly remixed and reimagined with the power of AI. This is part of my 18-episode series, where I break down each track from the album, share the process, […]
In this episode, I'm thrilled to share how AI is helping me breathe new life into my band's old tracks. Using the new Stem Splitter tool in Logic Pro, I'm diving back into tracks from my 2003 album with Rising Decline and remixing to create fresh mixes with modern sound. Imagine taking an old MP3, […]
In this episode, I jump into the lessons we can learn from Bad Astronaut's latest stripped-down track, “Gray Suits,” and how these lessons can transform our approach to teaching. Inspired by the minimalist arrangement of vocals, cello, and keys, I explore the concept of restraint in the classroom. We talk about the power of doing […]
In this episode, I dive into how being a musician shapes the way I approach teaching and using tools like ChatGPT. Inspired by fellow educator-musician Brian Ravizza, I explore how the collaborative mindset of a musician can lead to better results when working with AI. Think of ChatGPT as a bandmate—someone to bounce ideas off, […]
In this episode, I dive into the world of AI-generated music and its transformative potential in education. By leveraging AI tools, we can democratize music production, enabling every student to create professional-quality music with just a simple prompt. I'll explore how this technology allows us to focus on creativity, rather than the technicalities of music […]
In this melodic episode, we riff on the revolutionary landscape of generative AI music, where the fusion of technology and creativity is hitting a new high note. I share my awe-struck experience diving into platforms like Suno and Udio, where I discovered the power of AI to compose music that resonates with our modern times. […]
In this episode, buckle up for a drive-time rant that shifts gears into the future of creative writing in the age of generative AI. As we cruise through a landscape where technology is rapidly transforming the way we express ourselves, I challenge the misconception that AI tools like ChatGPT will render learning to write obsolete. […]
In this episode, we riff on the evolution of music production and its striking parallels to educational technology. I'm thrilled to share the journey of creating a punk rock song from scratch with my old bandmate Brent, using nothing but our laptops and a dash of creativity. I reminisce about the days of recording in […]
In this episode of Bill Selak Talks, we take a twisty turn into the colorful world of Rubik's cubes and the unexpected lessons they hold for educators and lifelong learners. Join me as I share my personal journey from curiosity to conquering the iconic puzzle, all thanks to the democratizing power of YouTube tutorials. Discover […]
In this poignant episode of Bill Selak Talks, we dive deep into the heart of education's most profound dilemma: the balancing act between unwavering dedication and personal health. Inspired by a story of a teacher grading papers in his final hours, we explore the pressures educators face, the unrealistic expectations placed upon them, and the […]
In this episode, I dive into the challenges and victories of maintaining creativity under pressure. Reflecting on my pre-kids photo-a-day project, I share how a simple challenge evolved into a profound journey of self-discovery, revealing the importance of pushing through creative blocks. From the mundane to the inspired, every photo tells a story of perseverance. […]
In this episode of Bill Selak Talks, I muse over the quirky yet insightful ways my children interact with technology, revealing a generational bridge that I, as a Xennial, find myself balancing. I'm the go-to tech guide for both my parents and my kids, yet I'm also the playful target of my kids' tech-savvy trolling […]
In this episode, I delve into a curious parallel that struck me recently: the stark contrast between the fluid timelines of construction projects and the rigid deadlines we adhere to in education. As I reflect on a roundabout construction near my house, it becomes a metaphor for the challenges and flexibilities we encounter in teaching. […]
In this episode, I celebrate a milestone: the 100th episode of the podcast! We'll dive into themes like Student Engagement and Learning, revisiting anecdotes from past episodes. From ed tech experimentation to personal teaching experiences, join me in reflecting on the journey we've taken and the future of education. This special episode is not just […]
In this episode, I share a candid conversation with my third grader that reshaped my understanding of identity and creativity in the age of AI. As I delve into the world of app development with the help of ChatGPT, I confront my own self-identity and explore how emerging technologies are redefining what it means to […]
In this episode, I take you through an exciting journey into the world of AI-assisted app development. As an educator constantly exploring the possibilities within technology, I delve into the process of creating a podcasting app for iOS. This isn't just about coding; it's about breaking barriers and embracing AI to make significant strides in […]
In this episode, I explore how Blink 182's unwavering authenticity paved their path to stardom and how embracing our own unique selves can make us not just better teachers, but better people. From my college days recording music to my current role as Tech Director at Hillbrook, this episode is all about the power of […]
In this episode, I discuss how ChatGPT has seamlessly integrated into my daily workflow—amplifying my strengths and compensating for my weaknesses. From rapidly turning jumbled thoughts into polished emails to accelerating the journey from a vague idea to a final draft, this tool has elevated my creativity and productivity to new heights. I share my […]
In this episode, I talk about a topic that often flies under the radar: phishing in schools. But wait, this isn't your typical cybersecurity chat. We delve into how seemingly innocent ‘check-in' questions during admin meetings might just be the backdoor into compromising your security. Join me for a journey that's part storytelling, part silly […] The post Phish & Chips: Serving Up Security Questions at This Year's Admin Meetings first appeared on Bill Selak.
In this episode, I find myself reflecting on a casual chat with a parent about past tours of his band opening for Jimmy Eat World and how that leads me to thinking about guitar pedals and their influence on my sound as a guitarist. That naturally leads me into a conversation about the power of […]
In this episode, I sit down with Scott Bedley, the co-founder of Global School Play Day and all-around EduAwesome human. We explored the necessity and benefits of incorporating environmental education in today's classrooms. Scott shares about the launch of GreenGuardians.com, a novel platform aimed at making environmental literacy fun, engaging, and accessible. Scott highlights how […]
In this episode, I share thoughts on Operation Ivy, music lyrics, and even pizza! We're exploring the monumental shift that's taken place right under our noses: We've moved from an information-poor to an information-rich world. And yet, our schools are staying mostly the same. In this episode, I challenge the status quo, call for a […]
In this episode, I explore the concept of co-creation and its transformative power. As a former professional musician, I've experienced the magic of creating live music and how it connects to the educational world. Tune in to hear me discuss the importance of creating opportunities for learners (students and adults alike) to collaborate in a […]
In this episode, I talk about working with two classes of 5th graders to create AI-generated images on Midjourney. We used ChatGPT to create a prompt, Midjourney to create and fine tune an image, and upscaled the images with imglarger.com. With adults, conversation quickly turns to “Is this art?” Hear how it's a different conversation […]
Apple Fitness+ recently added kickboxing to their workouts. Back in the day, I took Shotokan Karate lessons, so I thought this would be an easy transition. Wow… I learned a lot about the power of routines. And of course, I applied it to schools and classrooms.
With AI all the rage in April 2023, educators are pretty quickly creating resources–articles, blog posts, podcasts… even books! I see an important connection between engaging lesson plans, artificial intelligence, and Bloom's Taxonomy. Project-based learning typically was at the top of that pyramid: creation. But with AI, I think the sweet spot is actually at […]
I'm a big fan of “just right”. Goldilocks started it, and I'm continuing it. After two separate conversations–one with my Leadership Coach Aimee Giles and another with the EduAwesome human John Eick–I realized that I need to take time during my day to be creative. It's not a “I like to be creative” thing… it's […]
You know that feeling when you have a really good lesson? You got the plan, students are in the zone, and the thing they create is just awesome! For me, those lessons are a lot like cooking scallops. But even more interesting (and profound?) is how lessons like this connect to values I have. So […]
When you put two things together, magic can happen. Obvious examples like chocolate and peanut butter might come to mind. Similarly, teachers can make two objectives and combine them into a tasty lesson. Think: learning 16th notes and human body systems. Or, cardinal directions (north, east south west) with patterns (algebra: AB pattern) in a […]
Device-free time can be magical in a classroom (and at home). Lots of learning happens without devices. Lots. But… what does a school like when you can't imagine it without devices? Without the ability for a student to write a song, publish a book, start a podcast, create an infographic, or create a video to […]
I am not impressive to my fourth grader, nor are most (all?) of the things I share with her. But… there are some extraordinary, dare I say magical, things that exist in the world that did not exist when we were all kids. And I'm okay with her not being impressed with things I share. […]
As my phone auto-played a song this morning, I was vividly reminded about the hour we spent in 2002 at Orange Whip Recording Studio with the band Bad Astronaut trying to find the one perfect lyric. That level of passion, detail, critical thinking, and perseverance is something we need to be doing way more in […]
As school leaders, how do we have a high impact on our school's culture without adding another thing to teachers' plates? Where's that sweet spot where you get high impact with low effort? My answer to that is this year's Talent Show act for employees at Hillbrook School. Hear how we made a music video, […]
I've learned so much this year in my leadership coaching with Aimee Giles. We've talked a lot about my values–imagine the islands from the movie Inside Out… that's what we've created, and what we use to check decisions I make (and don't make). In this episode, hear about two of those values (“I'm going to […]
What is good teaching? It's complex. It's not easily replicable. Let's listen to an MxPx song, and hear why that song accomplishes its goal, but why my songs don't.
Technology in education keeps getting better, faster, cheaper, and easier. In this episode, I talk about how the audio plugin Abbey Road One: Orchestral Foundations completely changes how you can write and record music (unless you happen to have access to an entire orchestra and can rent out a world-class studio). Click on that link […]
In your early 20s, you really don't need to have everything figured out. I'm glad I didn't. In this episode, I share how following what matters to you–particularly in your 20s, but also throughout your entire life–is one of the most important things you, your students, and your kids can do.
I am talking about my professional goals for the 2021-2022 year. Spoiler alert… here are the goals: Advance diversity, equity, and inclusion work. Upgrade and fine tune Hillbrook's technology infrastructure Support our new Tech Support Specialist Next Steps with The Hub
You've probably heard about viewing the world through a Scientific Lens, but what about a Musician's Lens? What might that look like, and why might more educators adopt this way of looking at teaching and learning?
Have you ever had a perfect slice of pizza? I'm not sure I have (yet), but my preferences have shifted over the years away from ridiculous pizzas like the Roadkill to a simple slice of…cheese. Oh, and I also talk about a plethora of tech subscriptions and managing technology budgets.
Being an educator during a global pandemic is incredibly challenging. Hear how this slice of deep dish pizza is getting me across the finish line.
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