How I Work

How I Research

Every article starts with what I know from my 20-plus years in education and is then verified against the research. I use a mix of research studies and reputable education sources, prioritizing peer-reviewed studies whenever possible.

Sources are hyperlinked selectively throughout each article — the ones I think readers are most likely to want to explore further. A private reference list is maintained for every article to ensure accuracy, even when links aren’t provided.

Before any article is published, it goes through four checks:

•  Plagiarism — no content is lifted from sources without proper attribution

•  Accuracy — key claims are verified against sources before publishing

•  Language and accessibility — jargon is glossed immediately, sentences are clear, and the reading level is appropriate for a general audience

•  Grammar and mechanics — the final pass before publishing.

How I Use AI

I want to be transparent about how I use AI for this blog. I use it to research topics I’m writing about, to help organize ideas, to suggest ways to improve clarity, and to help me find the right phrasing when the words wouldn’t come.

I also use AI for complex document formatting and spreadsheet formulas. These are two skills I will freely admit I lack. If you have downloaded a resource from the resource library, AI assisted in the formatting and technical construction of that document. The content, design decisions, and educational thinking behind every resource are my own.

What AI does not do: it does not write my articles for me, generate my ideas, or replace my voice. Every piece published here begins with my own research, my own thinking, and my own words. AI is a tool in my process the same way spelling and grammar check is a tool — it does not write for me.

If you have questions about any specific piece, I am happy to discuss my process.

A note on style: In my every day writing I use em dashes liberally and words like “delve” and “friction.”. I also reach for metaphors constantly and deliberately. Metaphors are a tool I have used since my days in the classroom. They help learners attach new information to something they already know. If you see any of these in my work, that is not an AI tell. That is just me. The words, ideas, and voice are all my own. As are the errors.

A Note on Errors

Getting it right matters more than being right. Reading science is an evolving field and I update articles when the research changes. When errors are found — and they will be, because I am human — I correct them promptly and transparently.

If you find something that needs correcting, I want to know. Please reach out through email. I am grateful for readers who hold me accountable.

Happy Reading!

Elizabeth