Last Friday participants of the 12DoAI completed a mid-course survey – here is a summary (using Claude) and podcast (using Recast) of their comments:

Here’s the Recast for the article Exploring the 12 Days of AI: A Reflective Journey for Higher Education Tutors:https://app.letsrecast.ai/r/0b03be6c-77e3-450a-bf5e-cbd96c2c91d5

Hello and welcome to today’s podcast, where we delve into the 12 Days of AI, a dynamic learning experience that has garnered diverse reactions from educators. I’m your host, a Digital learning Producer , aiming to guide higher education tutors through this innovative journey. 

**The Sign-Up Struggle:** A common grievance expressed is the hassle of signing up for multiple platforms. While it’s understood that verification is essential for proper platform use, managing numerous accounts can be cumbersome. It’s a necessary evil to unlock the full potential of these AI tools, but it certainly adds an extra layer of effort. 

**Appreciating the Learning Curve:** Despite the sign-up inconvenience, the overall sentiment is positive. Many appreciate the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and skills at their own pace. It’s not just about completing tasks within a set timeframe but about a continuous journey of exploration and growth. 

**Diverse Tools, Diverse Experiences:** The variety of tools and platforms introduced is a highlight. However, encountering technical issues like credit limitations on OpenAI or receiving promotional emails can be distracting. Still, these experiences are part and parcel of navigating today’s digital landscape. 

**Replicating and Sharing:** The format of the 12 Days of AI has inspired educators to replicate this model in their institutions. The daily tasks, coupled with the community’s shared experiences and thoughts, enrich the learning process. It’s a testament to the power of collaborative learning in the digital age. 

**Engagement and Accessibility:** The short, time-limited nature of tasks fosters engagement. The drip-feed of daily emails creates anticipation and maintains interest. However, the volume of content can be overwhelming for some, who prefer to focus on what’s most relevant to them. 

**Discoveries and Challenges:** Discovering new AI platforms is exciting, but the requirement for multiple sign-ups can lead to an unwanted influx of promotional emails. Despite this, the diversity of tools and the freedom to choose tasks that fit personal schedules are highly valued. 

**A Spectrum of Feedback:** Participants appreciate being introduced to a wide range of tools, even though setting up accounts for each can be a barrier. The self-led nature of the program, offering optional tools and tasks, caters to different learning styles and time constraints. 

**The Practicality and Realism:** The format is praised for its practicality, offering daily bite-sized tasks. This approach enables participants to explore different tools with thoughtful tasks. The clarity of instructions and the permanence of the blog for later access add to the program’s value. 

**Areas for Improvement:** While the range of activities and peer sharing is appreciated, some find the lack of detailed guidance or user manuals a challenge. The desire for more interactive features, like the ability to ‘like’ posts, reflects a need for greater community engagement within the program. 

In conclusion, the 12 Days of AI presents a mixed bag of experiences for higher education tutors. Its strengths lie in its variety, self-paced learning, and collaborative environment. However, the challenges of multiple sign-ups, technical issues, and the need for more comprehensive guidance are areas that could be improved. As educators, embracing these new tools and methodologies is essential for our professional development, and programs like the 12 Days of AI offer a valuable, albeit imperfect, platform for this journey.