From "Ums" to Outcomes: How a Wireless Mic & AI Changed My Teaching Workflow

I haven't written a blog post in a while. Usually, when I do write here, I link it to personal growth, general things I’ve been up to, or things that have interested me. But today, I want to talk about something specific that happened just before we broke up for Christmas—a shift in how I work that has been an absolute game-changer.

I want to talk about contextualised Speech-to-Structured Text AI.

The "Admin Beast" and the Friction Point

If you work in Further Education (FE) or SEN (Special Educational Needs), you know that tracking meaningful progress is vital. But the administrative burden of typing detailed feedback is a massive friction point.

For me, this is personal. As a professional formally diagnosed with dyslexia, getting my observations out of my head and onto a screen is a battle. I know the value is in what I see in the classroom, but typing it out is exhausting. And let’s be honest—if you just type "Well done," it doesn't really work. Feedback needs to be bespoke, detailed, and mapped to specific outcomes.

So, I decided to try something different.

The Experiment: A Mic and a Prompt

I purchased a set of wireless lavalier microphones and developed a specific workflow using AI.

It’s actually quite simple: At the end of a session, instead of sitting at a keyboard, I just speak. I record a big block of raw speech—"ums," "errs," and all. I then run that raw transcript through a custom AI prompt I designed specifically for UKFE and Skills compliance.

Here is what the system does for me:

 * Personalisation at Scale: It takes that one big audio file and splits it into structured, personalised written updates for every learner on the roster.

 * EHCP Alignment: It automatically scans my spoken feedback against an attached list of EHCP learning outcomes and Core 4 targets. It maps the feedback to the specific goal, identifying exactly where the evidence was met.

 * Zero "Hallucinations": I built in strict rules. The AI is forbidden from guessing. If I didn't mention a learner in the recording, it flags "No feedback given" rather than inventing progress.

 * Accessibility: It formats the output into clear British English at Level 1 readability, making it perfect for sharing directly with learners and families.

The Result

The impact has been massive. I can now deliver meaningful, evidence-backed feedback and upload it directly to Evidence for Learning (EFL) with minimum typing.

It also solved a problem I didn't realise we had. When staff are overseeing an EHCP review, they need high-quality data. Because of this workflow, the quality of the progress updates is so much better, meaning the review team is equipped with really good information about how that learning is progressing.

From Invisible Work to National Recognition with Natspec

I’m really looking forward to seeing how this evolves. In fact, I received some incredible news just before the break.

I have been invited by Natspec (The National Association of Specialist Colleges) to showcase this workflow during their upcoming Peer Exchange Week. I’ll be contributing on the topic of using AI to increase productivity in the sector.

To be honest, working where I work—often offsite—means that effectively nobody gets a 'seat' to see me in action. It’s easy to feel a bit invisible. That is why this invitation is such a big deal. It is fantastic for the college to be represented in a national project, and personally, it is incredibly validating to have my work recognised on this platform.

Keeping it Real (The Caveats)

I do want to acknowledge that it’s not always perfect. There are a few caveats. We all have different accents and dialects, and that can impact pronunciation in the transcript. Also, if you have two people in your class with the same first name, the AI can get confused.

Even though this is a productivity game-changer, the need for human oversight is really key. You can't just leave it on autopilot. It keeps the "human" in the loop but removes the admin barrier.

I’d highly recommend exploring speech-to-text workflows if you want to let technology handle the sorting while you handle the teaching. I'm excited to share more with Natspec soon!

Tags: #EdTech #Dyslexia #AIinEducation #UKFE #Natspec #Productivity #PersonalGrowth

The Data Doesn't Lie: Why I’m Finally Fixing My Sleep Debt

I haven't written a blog post in a while. To be honest, I haven’t had the energy.

Lately, my sleep has been absolutely atrocious. I feel constantly tired—actually, "tired" doesn't quite cover it. I feel re-tired, drained, and perpetually foggy. For a long time, I just assumed this was the new normal of modern life.

Then I got a Samsung Watch. I started tracking my sleep, thinking I’d find out I had insomnia or restless legs. But the data does not lie, and it told a very different, much clearer story.

It turns out, I’m not just "tired." I am chronically, clinically sleep-deprived.

The Reality Check

I used to think that because I could fall asleep instantly, I was a "good sleeper." My watch data quickly debunked that myth. Here is the breakdown of what is actually happening to my brain:

 * The Massive Deficit: I am averaging about 5 hours and 2 minutes of sleep per night. My biological need is closer to 7.5 hours. That means I am missing 2.5 hours of recovery every single night.

 * The Maths: Over a week, that creates a deficit of nearly 20 hours. That is physically the equivalent of pulling two full "all-nighters" every single month. No wonder I feel like I'm running on fumes.

The "3-Minute" Warning

The most alarming statistic wasn't the total hours—it was how fast I fall asleep.

According to my data, it takes me on average 3 minutes to fall asleep.

I used to wear this as a badge of honour. I thought it meant I was efficient. In reality, falling asleep in under five minutes is a clinical sign of pathological sleepiness. A well-rested human takes 15 to 20 minutes to drift off. My body is essentially "crashing" the moment I stop moving because it is so starved for rest.

It’s Not Insomnia, It’s Neglect

Here is the silver lining (and the frustration): My sleep efficiency is 86%. My Deep Sleep and REM cycles are actually normal relative to the time I'm in bed.

This means my internal machinery works perfectly fine. I don't have insomnia. I don't struggle to stay asleep. The problem is entirely self-inflicted. I am simply not staying in bed long enough to let my brain finish its wash cycle. By cutting my sleep at the 5-hour mark, I’m waking up right before the heavy REM stages occur in the early morning—cutting off my mental recovery at the knees.

The Mission for 2026

I am realising that I cannot optimise my professional life or my physical health while running a 20-hour weekly sleep deficit. The inconsistency—my bedtime shifting from midnight to 2:00 am—is causing "social jetlag," confusing my circadian rhythm even further.

So, as we approach 2026, my mission is simple: Respect the debt.

I’m not going to try complex bio-hacks. I don't need supplements. I need time.

 Anchor the Bedtime: Stop the 2:00 am drift.

 

The 15-Minute Rule: I’m going to start going to bed 15 minutes earlier every few days until I hit that 7.5-hour mark.

 Prioritise Recovery: Treating sleep not as a luxury or a waste of time, but as the foundation for everything else I want to achieve.

The data showed me I was crashing. Now, I’m going to use the data to make sure I finally recharge.

Is Your Brain Being Rewired by Short Videos?

Is Your Brain Being Rewired by Short Videos? What Science Says About Your Attention Span

In our hyper-connected world, we're all familiar with the endless scroll of Facebook Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts. These bite-sized videos are incredibly engaging, a quick hit of entertainment whenever we want it. But have you ever paused to think about what this constant, rapid-fire consumption is actually doing to your brain? It turns out, a growing body of scientific research is sounding some serious alarms.

Chuck Palahniuk famously wrote:

"Old George Orwell got it backward. Big Brother isn't watching. He's singing and dancing. He's pulling rabbits out of a hat. Big Brother's busy holding your attention every moment you're awake. He's making sure you're always distracted. He's making sure you're fully absorbed. He's making sure your imagination withers. Until it's as useful as your appendix. He's making sure your attention is always filled. And this being fed, it's worse than being watched. With the world always filling you, no one has to worry about what's in your mind. With everyone's imagination atrophied, no one will ever be a threat to the world."

While Palahniuk's "Big Brother" might be a metaphorical entity rather than a literal one, the scientific findings on short-form video consumption eerily echo his chilling prophecy.

The Shrinking Attention Span: It's Not Just You

It might feel like your ability to focus has changed, and you're not wrong. Scientific studies are revealing a compelling negative correlation between excessive short-form video consumption and our attention spans. This is particularly true for younger generations, who've grown up immersed in this digital landscape.

Consider this startling fact: The average human attention span has plummeted from roughly 2.5 minutes in 2004 to as little as 45-47 seconds by 2021. This dramatic decline runs directly parallel to the explosion of short-form digital media. It suggests a collective cognitive shift, where our brains are becoming accustomed to constant, rapid stimulation – precisely the kind of "singing and dancing" Palahniuk warned us about.

How Short Videos Are Changing Our Brains

So, what exactly is happening up there when we're lost in a scroll, being "fed" by the digital world?

 * Cognitive Overload: Our brains have a finite capacity for processing information. When you're jumping from one quick video to the next, your brain is constantly forced to reset and adapt to new contexts and stimuli. This "fragmented processing" is exhausting and hinders your ability to focus on a single task for extended periods. It's like constantly opening and closing dozens of tabs on your computer – eventually, it slows everything down, leaving you "always distracted," just as Palahniuk described.

 * Dopamine Driven: These platforms are expertly engineered to tap into our brain's natural reward system. Each engaging video delivers a little burst of dopamine, a feel-good chemical. The infinite scroll, much like a fruit machine, conditions us to keep seeking that next "win," that next entertaining clip. This constant, unpredictable reward cycle trains our brains to crave immediate gratification, making less stimulating real-world tasks (like reading a book or tackling a complex project) feel less rewarding and harder to stick with. This is the essence of "being fed" — a constant stream that keeps you "fully absorbed."

 * Neurological Adaptations: Research is even showing physical changes. Studies have observed structural and functional differences in the brains of individuals with high short video consumption, particularly in regions involved in reward processing and decision-making. These aren't just habits; they might be deeper neurological shifts, perhaps contributing to the "withering" of functions like imagination, as our minds become less active creators and more passive receivers.

Beyond Attention: The Ripple Effect

The impact of excessive short-form video consumption isn't confined to just our attention span. It creates a cascade of negative consequences that can affect critical aspects of our lives, fulfilling parts of Palahniuk's dire prediction:

 * Academic and Professional Performance: If you can't focus, how can you learn deeply? Reduced attention directly contributes to struggles with studying, retaining information, and performing well in academic or professional settings where sustained concentration is key. Our ability to engage with complex ideas, which often requires imagination, may indeed diminish.

 * Mental Health: Prolonged engagement with these platforms is linked to increased anxiety, stress, cognitive fatigue, and disrupted sleep. The curated, often idealised content can also fuel social comparison, leading to lowered self-esteem and body image concerns. Ever felt a bit rubbish after a long scroll? That's part of it. When your attention is "always filled" with external stimuli, it leaves little room for introspection or self-generated resilience.

 * Social Behaviour: There's even evidence pointing to changes in how we interact in real life, with some studies suggesting a reduction in face-to-face communication within families as members spend more time watching reels. If "no one has to worry about what's in your mind," perhaps a decline in genuine connection follows.

Taking Back Control: What You Can Do

This isn't about ditching digital media entirely, but understanding its profound impact and making informed choices. We can push back against the "Big Brother" of constant distraction.

 * Be Mindful of Screen Time: Start by setting realistic limits for yourself and your family. Many phones and apps have built-in tools to help with this. Recognise when you're being "fed" and choose to step away.

 * Prioritise "Deep Work" and Analog Activities: Actively seek out and engage in activities that demand sustained attention. Read a physical book, work on a complex puzzle, spend time in nature, or engage in a focused conversation without distractions. These activities can help rebuild your attentional capacity and rekindle your imagination.

 * Boost Your Digital Literacy: Understand how these platforms are designed to keep you scrolling. Recognising the mechanisms at play can empower you to resist their pull, preventing your mind from being entirely "filled" by external forces.

 * For Parents: You play a crucial role. Monitor media use, encourage balanced digital consumption, and model healthy screen habits in your household. Help the next generation cultivate imagination and independent thought.

While much of the research is correlational, compelling causal evidence exists. For instance, a randomised controlled trial where participants blocked mobile internet access for a period showed significant improvements in objectively measured sustained attention and mental well-being. This suggests that intentional disconnection can yield tangible, positive results, allowing us to reclaim our attention and our minds.

The interaction between our minds and rapidly evolving digital media is complex and ongoing. By understanding the science behind how short videos affect us, and reflecting on warnings like Palahniuk's, we can begin to foster a healthier relationship with technology, reclaim our attention, and enhance our overall cognitive well-being.

What are your thoughts on this? Have you noticed changes in your own attention span or those around you? Share your insights and strategies below!