Boost Whiteboard! A New Feature to Check Out in Brisk! by Jen Parisi

This article was submitted by guest author Jen Parisi, a K–5 instructional coach at Roslyn Road Elementary and member of the AI Task Force.

Brisk Boost Whiteboard is a newly launched feature designed to make student thinking visible in real time. Brisk Whiteboard allows students to show their thinking, while teachers view responses and progress in real time to see how their students are developing towards the targeted learning objectives. Boost Whiteboard offers a new way for students to communicate problem-solving, evidence, explanations, and more.

Boost Whiteboard: Students Choose their Feedback Path

Boost Whiteboard gives students a choice in how they receive feedback, empowering them to grow as independent learners. Embedded directly in Boost Whiteboard is Brisk Boost, the chatbot feature, which engages students through scaffolded, responsive dialogue. As students work, they can choose the type of feedback that best supports their learning. Students may launch the chatbot for clarification and guided support or submit their work to receive AI-generated feedback, all while interacting within the Boost Whiteboard. This flexibility allows students to access feedback when needed while maintaining ownership of their thinking and problem-solving. 

The images below show how students can choose to Get Help or Check Work. 

Here is a student-facing video of how a student uses Boost Whiteboard and receives feedback.





Brisk Boost Whiteboard Set-Up for Teachers

Teachers create the Brisk Boost Whiteboard activity with the autonomy select and upload specific criteria: grade level, standards, rubrics, and customize the AI-generated feedback and scaffolding.

Teacher Data Insights & Analytics & Next Steps

Brisk Boost Whiteboard includes teacher-facing data insights that support instructional decision-making. Teachers can view student responses in real time, identify patterns, and use this information to guide next instructional steps.

Teachers receive clear snapshots of whole-class strengths and areas for growth, along with individual student progress. The images below show examples of both whole-class data and individual student views. In the individual student view, teachers can see how students are progressing toward targeted learning objectives, as well as real-time Boost Whiteboard activity and Brisk Boost scripts when students choose to use this type of feedback. Insights from students’ interactions with the Brisk Boost chat will inform next steps in instruction.





Removing Barriers with Language and Accessibility Options

Brisk currently supports 55 language translations, increasing access for multilingual learners. Speech-to-text enables students to respond by voice, removing typing as a barrier. The audio feature enables students to hear Brisk Boost’s questions and feedback read aloud, supporting comprehension and engagement for all learners. 

Video Link to Languages and how to access for teachers.

How do I access Brisk Boost?

New to Brisk? Start here! AI Tools and Guides

Briskteaching.com/login

Brisk Extension icon

Want to Learn More? 

Here is a link to a complete video overview from Brisk.

If you would like to learn more about Brisk Boost Whiteboard, please watch the linked video created by Brisk. Your building instructional coaches and LTAs are here to support you!

How Gemini and NotebookLM Are Actually Changing Our Classrooms

Let’s #BReal for a moment. (You see what I did there?)

It’s been a wild eighteen months, hasn't it? Since I started back in Barrington 220, we’ve mostly continued the meaningful work led by Ty Gorman and tried to stay ahead of the rushing waves of change brought on by advancements in AI. We’ve spent a lot of time (rightfully so!) worrying about academic integrity, updating our AI Guidelines, and wondering if the essay is dead.

But while we were busy updating policies, the tools changed too. The new features in Gemini and NotebookLM aren't about doing the work for students. They are about making students think harder.

We watched four videos from Google for Education on Gemini and NotebookLM so you don't have to (though they are linked below). Here is your practical, step-by-step guide to using these tools to break the silence in your classroom. Guided Learning is available for students in Grades 7-12.

1. The "Seminar Spark" (Live in Class)

The Problem: You know that feeling when you ask a deep, complex discussion question and get hit with the "Wall of Silence"? It’s not that students don't car. Often, they’re just afraid to be the first one to be wrong.

The Fix: Use Gemini's Guided Learning mode as a "Guest Speaker."

How it Works:

In the video, they show a feature that changes Gemini from an "Answer Engine" (which dumps text) into a "Tutor" (which asks questions).

• Step 1: Go to gemini.google.com and select Guided Learning.
• Step 2: Enter a topic. The video uses "Help me understand the impact of inflation on social mobility."
• Step 3: Watch the magic. Instead of writing an essay, Gemini gives a short definition and then asks a targeted question to check understanding. 1
• Example: "If prices rise faster than wages, who gets hit hardest?"
• Step 4: The Fishbowl. Don't answer it yourself! Put this on the projector. Ask the class, "How should we answer this?" Type in their response—even if it's flawed. Gemini will "stress test" their logic, pointing out gaps without judging them.

Why we love it: It takes the pressure off. Students aren't debating you; they are debating the machine. It builds confidence before they have to speak up in a real seminar.


2. The "Socratic Tutor" (For Study Time)

The Problem: Students often don't know how to study. They just re-read their highlighted notes, which (let's be honest) doesn't really help with retention.

The Fix: NotebookLM creates a tutor that only knows your class material.

How it Works:

Unlike ChatGPT, which knows the whole internet, NotebookLM is "grounded." It only knows what you upload.

• Step 1: Create a Notebook and upload your unit readings (PDFs, Slides, Google Docs).
• Step 2: Open the Studio Panel (look for the sparkle or notebook icons).
• Step 3: Click the Quiz Tile.

Result: It instantly generates a multiple-choice quiz based exclusively on your uploaded documents. No random internet facts—just your curriculum.

The "Socratic" Twist:

Don't just let students ask for answers. Give them this prompt to use:

"You are a strict but fair tutor. Quiz me on these documents. Do not give me the answer. If I am wrong, provide a subtle hint."

This turns a passive review session into an active drill.

3. A Real-World Example: The "Cold Case" Unit

Let's look at how you could combine these tools for a killer lesson. Imagine you are teaching a unit on Media Literacy or Forensics, and you're using that famous video: "Truck Driver Disappeared on a Rural Route in 1993."

The Setup:

Get the transcript of the video (where the witnesses talk about the timeline, the weather, the weigh station).

Upload that transcript into NotebookLM.

The Activity:

• Tell students they are the detectives. They have to interrogate the Notebook to find inconsistencies.
• Student: "Where was he at 9:00 PM?"
• NotebookLM: "The transcript doesn't say. The last confirmed sighting was 8:15 PM at the diner."
• Because the AI is "grounded" in the transcript, it forces students to stick to the evidence. They can't fake it. They have to engage with the text.

4. Data Visualization (Making Boring Reports Look Good)

The Problem: We want students to be data literate, but staring at a 20-page dense report on cryptocurrency or census data is...dry.

The Fix: Use NotebookLM to convert text into Tables.

How it Works:

The "Data Visualization" video shows a great workflow for this: 

• Step 1: Upload a complex report (the video uses a crypto market report).
• Step 2: In the chat, ask it to "create a visually streamlined asset. "It identifies the top stats immediately.
• Step 3: Go deeper. Click the pencil icon to edit and ask for a specific table: "Create a summary table comparing the primary drivers of adoption for the US, Europe, and Emerging Markets."

The Result:

NotebookLM spits out a perfectly formatted Markdown table comparing the regions side-by-side.

Teacher Move: Have students upload a lab report or a historical primary source and ask them to generate a comparison table. It teaches them to synthesize data, not just read it.

5. The Important SOPPA Stuff (Please Read!)

We can't finish a post without talking about data privacy!

• Closed Context: The best thing about NotebookLM is that it's a "Closed" system. When you are in our Google Workspace for Education domain, data isn't being used to train the public model.
• Sharing: When you share a Notebook link with students, you are sharing the Documents, not the Chat History. They can't see what you asked, and you can't see what they asked. This is great for privacy AND it gives every student a safe space to ask "dumb questions" without fear of judgment.
• Reminder: As always, please do not upload student PII (grades, IEPs, names) into these tools.

Ready to Try It?

If you create a cool Notebook for your class, let us know! We’d love to feature your work!

Authentic Learning+AI on 2-13-26. You're going to LOVE it!

Our February 13, 2026, Institute Day is coming fast, and it is shaping up to be a practical and inspirational learning day. This day is about strengthening what we do best in Barrington 220—great teaching, strong relationships, and learning experiences that help students think, create, and communicate. Authentic Learning and AI (Artificial Intelligence) will be part of the day, but the real focus is building our shared skill set so we can use AI in ways that are aligned to our values and our Learner Profile.

The anchor topic for the day is our Barrington 220 AI Skills. These skills are about what students and staff should be able to do with and around AI, not just which tools to click. In other words, asking better questions, evaluating output, checking for accuracy, noticing bias, using AI for feedback and iteration, and making smart choices about when AI helps and when it gets in the way. The goal is consistency across classrooms so staff AND students build confidence over time, across subjects and grade levels. And, if you join an AI Task Force member-led session on February 13, you should expect to walk out with something you can use the next day that connects directly to those skills.

We are also excited to learn with one of our keynote speakers, Dr. Sabba Quidwai. A former colleague of mine at Apple, Sabba’s work sits right at the intersection of innovation, human advantage, and what learners need in a world shaped by AI. She will push us to keep the focus on the uniquely human parts of learning: creativity, empathy, identity, decision-making, and purpose. She is not coming to hype tools. She is coming to help us think differently about how learning is designed, how we build student agency, and how we create authentic learning experiences that help teachers and students thrive. If you have been wondering how to balance AI with authentic learning, Sabba is going to help us connect those dots.

Linda DeYounge from LTC will help us stay grounded and practical. Linda has worked with educators across Illinois who are navigating the same questions we are: What does responsible use look like? How do we build staff confidence without overwhelming anyone? How do we support students in using AI in ways that strengthen learning instead of shortcutting it? She brings a clear-eyed view of what is working in real schools, with real constraints, and real kids. Expect ideas you can actually implement, not just a philosophical conversation.

But, the true highlight of the day is that many choice sessions will be led by our own Barrington 220 AI Task Force members. These are educators who have been testing strategies, learning alongside students, and building a library of examples that connect AI tools to strong instruction. You will see sessions that reinforce our AI Skills through everyday classroom moves—planning, feedback, student reflection, and revision cycles. You will also see simple ways to teach quick AI literacy moments without creating a whole new unit, like using teachable moments about bias, hallucinations, and how to improve prompts through iteration.

On February 13, 2026, bring your curiosity and one small instructional challenge you want to improve. Something like giving faster feedback, helping students revise writing, supporting productive struggle, making group work tighter, or building student reflection. If we pair that real need with our Barrington 220 AI Skills and the experts in and out of our district, we can make progress that lasts far beyond one Institute Day.

Ready, Set, Kindergarten

Kindergarten registration for School Year 26–27 is officially underway!

Do you know a family living within our district boundaries who has a child turning five years old on or before September 1?

If they missed completing the Ready, Set, Kindergarten pre-registration and are unsure what to do—or are concerned because they did not receive a customized Online Registration link—please have them contact registration@barrington220.org for guidance and next steps.

Please do not share the registration link that was emailed to families who completed pre-registration, as using another family’s link will cause significant delays in application processing.

For more information, please visit Ready, Set, Kindergarten.

Thank you for helping us ensure a smooth registration process for all families.

Professional Development Opportunities from Kelly Key!

Key's Quick Tips from Kelly Key, Assistive Technology Coordinator for Barrington 220

 

Institute Day on 2-13-26

 

Please consider joining Kelly Key’s sessions on the February 13, 2026, Institute Day! All sessions held in W-115 at Barrington High School.

• 8:00 AM & NOON: Access for All: iPad Tools to Support Struggling Readers and Writers in Accessing the Curriculum—including new tools! 
• 9:00 AM & 1:00 PM: Increasing Comfort and Confidence in Supporting Your Students with Core Vocabulary and AAC
• 10:00 AM: Hands-On Exploration and Tips for Supporting Students Using the LAMP Words for Life App

Infinitec Webinars 

 

Infinitec Webinars are a great way to get your PD Credit for your renewing your certificate! 

Check out all of the free webinars Infinitec is offering this year. If you watch them live, you receive a PD certificate to put towards your teaching certificate renewal! www.myinfinitec.org/events

There are also terrific videos on various special education topics on their website that you can get PD credit for.  Create an account with your district email, click on Online Classroom, and search for any topic you are interested in!  Once you watch the video, you will take a quiz, and then you will receive your certificate! www.myinfinitec.org/dashboard