February
27
February
25
Top Current Multimodal AI Models
As of early 2026, the AI landscape is dominated by a rapidly shifting frontier of multimodal, high-reasoning models from key industry leaders. The market is defined by “The Big 3” (OpenAI, Google, Anthropic) alongside strong competitors like Meta, xAI, Grok, and Mistral.
Top Current Multimodal AI Models (2026)
This chart compilation of information by Ethan Mollick (2025) and four AI models (Arena Intelligence AI (2026); Google Gemini (2026); LiveBench (2026); and VellumAI (2026) represents the leading frontier AI models based on recent benchmarks and releases.
Figure 1: Top Current AI Models (2026)
![Top Current AI Models. Note. Image generated using the prompt "[Please render a Chart of current AI models]" by Google Gemini, 2026, https://gemini.google.com](https://4oops.edublogs.org/files/2026/02/AIChartScreenshotFeb_2026.png)
Top Current AI Models. Note. Image generated using the prompt “[Please render a Chart of current AI models]” by Google Gemini, 2026, https://gemini.google.com
Figure 1
Top Current AI Models. Note. Image generated using the prompt “[Please render a Chart of current AI models]” by Google Gemini, 2026, https://gemini.google.com
Here is a wordless, Loom video scroll of the full comparison webpage by VellumAI (2026). According to VellumAI, this data will refresh every six months so you may want to return to the link in the late summer. Please pause the video as needed and consider full-screen for best viewing.
LLM Leaderboard Vellum AI, Mollick and more: Wordless video,Teague, 2026.
References
Arena Intelligence (2026). Leaderboard Overview. https://huggingface.co/spaces/lmarena-ai/arena-leaderboard#:~:text=Table_title:%20Text%20Table_content:%20header:%20%7C%20Rank%20%7C,%7C%20Model:%20grok%2D4.1%2Dthinking%20%7C%20Score:%201475%20%7C
Google. (2026). Gemini (Feb 25 version) [Large language model]. https://gemini.google.com/
LiveBench (2026, January 8). Leaderboard. https://livebench.ai/#:~:text=Table_content:%20header:%20%7C%20Model%20%7C%20Organization%20%7C,Organization:%20Google%20%7C%20Coding%20Average:%2067.50%20%7C
Mollick, E. (2025, January 26 ). Which AI to use now: An updated opinionated guide (Updated Again 2/15). One Useful Thing. [Blog Post.] https://www.oneusefulthing.org/p/which-ai-to-use-now-an-updated-opinionated
Teague, H. (2026). LLM Leaderboard Vellum AI, Mollick and more: Wordless video February 2026. [Video.] Loom. https://www.loom.com/share/f052a43ec8ba49da8dc978b100bae3b2
Vellum AI, (2025). LLM Leaderboard, 2025. https://www.vellum.ai/llm-leaderboard
#Friendofrubythewonderdog
February
20
Weekend Ed. Quote ~ February 20
February
19
Defining Terms – Educational Context
Sometimes Graduate Research Students ask for a definitation and application of Educational context. Educational context refers to the comprehensive environment—physical, social, and cultural—where learning occurs, encompassing classroom settings, pedagogical methods, and external factors like community, technology, and policy that influence educational outcomes. It shapes how curriculum is delivered and understood, requiring adaptation to diverse student backgrounds to maximize learning.
Key Components of Educational Context:
-
- Environmental/Physical: School, location, and classroom design.
- Learner Characteristics: Age, gender, culture, and developmental stage.
- Instructional/Pedagogical: Teaching methods, available resources, and curriculum.
- Societal/External: Socioeconomic factors, policy changes, and parental influence.
Educational Context Example (Impact on Learning):
An urban, under-resourced public school with a diverse student population (Context A) requires different teaching strategies (e.g., culturally responsive pedagogy, community-based projects) compared to an affluent, technology-rich suburban school (Context B). Understanding this context allows educators to tailor their approach, ensuring that teaching methods are effective for that specific environment.
An urban, under-resourced public school with a diverse student population (Context A) requires different teaching strategies (e.g., culturally responsive pedagogy, community-based projects) compared to an affluent, technology-rich suburban school (Context B). Understanding this context allows educators to tailor their approach, ensuring that teaching methods are effective for that specific environment.
Importance:
- Success and Implementation: Understanding context helps in implementing effective, tailored pedagogical strategies rather than one-size-fits-all approaches.
- Influence on Teaching: Context can facilitate, hinder, or act as a total barrier to instructional efforts.
- Developmental Factors: According to Bronfenbrenner’s model, a student’s context ranges from immediate surroundings (family) to broader, nested societal structures, all influencing their growth.
An awareness of educational context helps to avoid stereotyping while ensuring that teaching is relevant and effective.
February
18
Repost of a Favorite Video based on a Kafka story
One of the predicted downfalls of digital media was that the original pioneering spirit of creativity and sharing would succomb to monetization. After the original hosting service discontinued my videos on its library, I was frantic to recover what the company who hosted my paid subscription did not value and deleted (along with a small, but vital video catalog. I was beyond relieved to find that Edublogs retained the original video. This is the backup of the original video posted on March 6, 2020.
I am so grateful to Edublogs for maintaining the special creative relationship with its bloggers.
Digital paranoia has caused me to re-record, save, and re-upload the original mp4 file. Here is the re-recorded, re-save, and reposted file.
This video is based on the Kafka story, which is reposted at this link https://epicureanglobalexchange.com/kafka-lost-doll-little-girl/
It is also uploaded to my Vimeo account: https://vimeo.com/701846169
~~~
Special thanks to Jennifer Brown, Jazzi Spencer, Linda McCrary-Chavez, and Richard Nesbit.
Original post and video at this link: https://4oops.edublogs.org/2020/03/09/teaguestory1/
References
Chef Charlie (2020). Kafka, the Lost Doll and the Little Girl. https://epicureanglobalexchange.com/kafka-lost-doll-little-girl/
February
13
Weekend Ed. Quote ~ February 13
February
6
Weekend Ed. Quote ~ February 6 2026
“Challenges are opportunities in disguise.”
~ Dr. Gladys West, Mathematician & Pioneer in GPS technology
Dr. West provided significant contributions to mathematical modeling of the shape of the Earth and her work on the development of satellite geodesy models which were later incorporated into the Global Positioning System (GPS).[1]
Dr. West also participated in an award-winning study that proved the regularity of Pluto‘s motion relative to Neptune.
At age 70 years, Dr. West completed her Ph.D. in Public Administration through Distance Learning.
Dr. Gladys West – October 27, 1930 – January 17, 2026 (aged 95)
Read more about the work and innovations of Dr. Gladys West from the Library of Congress at this link: https://findingaids.loc.gov/repositories/19/resources/6417
#STEM
#GCUTEC544 #GCUTEC595 #GCUTEC516
#CUNE604, #CUNE605 #CUNE603
February
5
Reflective Writing and Fierce Editing for Messaging Components in Instructional Design
“There are two goals in the experiential learning process. One is to learn the specifics of a particular subject, and the other is to learn about one’s own learning process.” ~ Dr. David A. Kolb, 1983, 2025
Authentic Reflection occurs experientially and cyclically with a reflective observation (Kolb,1983). Kolb’s Learning Cycle describes a continuum of activities that proceed metacognitively as individuals construct schemas related to their experiences.
According to Kolb, a four-stage cycle catalyzed these two goals:
- Concrete Experience: Engaging in an activity or task.
- Reflective Observation: Stepping back to reflect on the experience and identifying discrepancies between understanding and reality.
- Abstract Conceptualization: Making sense of the experience by drawing conclusions and developing theories.
- Active Experimentation: Testing these new theories in future situations
Many authentic learning experiences and assignments include peer review and editing collaboration. One learning artifact from authentic learning experiences of editing and peer review collaboration is a Reflective Writing assignment. A Learning Framework that supports collaborative peer review and editing is Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle (1983).
“Whether we focus on problematic experiences or positive ones, reflecting on them will provide us with opportunities for growth and development” ~ Barbara Bassot, The Reflective Journal
Reflective Writing contributes sense and meaning in the Experiential Learning process (Kolb, 1983; University of Texas at Arlington Libraries, 2021). Reflective Writing includes both reflection during editing *and* reflection after Peer or Supervisor Review. Reflective writing is beneficial because it increases self-awareness, enhances learning and development, improves problem-solving skills, and contributes to both personal and professional growth (Bailey and Scheherazade, 2022; Bassot, 2016; University of Hull Library, 2024).
Instructional Design centers on the vital task of messaging. Messaging in Instructional Design has multi-modal components, such as Reflective writing. The Messaging trajectory in Reflective writing is compromised without careful editing.
Editing is the systematic process of reviewing and refining a manuscript so that it meets standards of clarity, coherence, grammar, word usuage, and professional integrity. Unlike proofreading, which focuses on surface-level errors, editing serves as a bridge between the writer’s complex application of research evidence and the reader’s comprehension. An effective editing process is often a hybrid approach which combines human intuition and mechanized grammar checkers. Combining human intuition with mechanized proofreading creates a system of “checks and balances” that is more comprehensive. The combinatory approach will increase error identification and feedback on organizational, grammatical, usage, presentation, and errors in presentation graphics.
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The Strengths of AI vs. Human Editors
Dr. Helen Teague |
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Note on Process: This table was developed through a collaborative dialogue between Helen Teague, EdD. and Gemini AI on Google Search. While the AI assisted with structural reformatting and drafting, the conceptual framework, editing, and final verification were provided by the Dr. Teague to ensure academic accuracy and design flow.
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A best practice is to follow Spaced Practice when editing all varieties of your instructional design materials (including assignments). When reviewing your own work, separate the editing process from the actual messaging (i.e. writing).
Here are some best practices for Spaced Practice when editing your writing for messaging, organization, and mechanics:
- Always frame your work with a Title Page, Title Slide, and/or Title Screen (for videos). Always provide your name.
- Read aloud what you have written.
- Start reading from the bottom of the document.
- Review each sentence separately.
- Scan the written document several times, looking for one specific type of error at a time.
- Keep a list of your frequent error patterns (Instructor Example: When I work very late at night, my dyslexia is more pronounced and one letter in a word will be omitted and especially vowels, are likely to be transposed.
- As a UDL affordance, omit contractions, idioms, colloquialisms, and informal speech.
- Write and Wait: Organize your time to provide a break between composition, designing, and editing.
- View presentation graphics on full screen.
- If presenting your work in a Professional Development session, view the presentation in the presentation room and screen.
- Provide attribution for images, including images of your own design.
- For Visual presentation at Professional Development sessions and conferences, provide handouts with your complete contact information (workplace, school, office). Be sure references are included and are up-to-date.
- Follow any Specifications from your Conference Guide, School District Guide, APA Style and Formatting Guide, and your various course Syllabi. In our class, the Instructor’s assessment notes are also provided for review and implementation.
- Continue editing even after posting or publishing.
- Follow the 321 rule of editing- The 321 rule is a backup strategy in editing and media production, ensuring data safety by maintaining three copies of your work in two different formats, with one of those copies stored off-site.
For Consideration: What item(s) on the preceeding list are new to you? What item(s) would you add?
References
Bailey, James R, and Scheherazade R. (2022). Don’t underestimate the power of self-reflection. Harvard Business Review.
https://hbr.org/2022/03/dont-
Bassot, B. (2016). The reflective journal (2nd ed.). Red Globe Press.
Kolb, D. (1983). Experiential Learning: Experience as the source of learning and development. Prentice-Hall.
Kolb, D. (2026). The Institute of Experiential Learning. What is Experiential Learning?
https://
https://
Teague, H. (2026). Reflective writing and fierce editing as a messaging component in Instructional Design. 10-Rep Learning blog. https://4oops.edublogs.org/2026/02/05/reflective-writing-and-fierce-editing-as-a-messaging-component-in-instructional-de
University of Hull Library (2024). Library: Reflective writing: What Is reflection? https://libguides.hull.ac.
University of Texas at Arlington Libraries (2021). What Is reflection? A critical step in the Experiential Learning process.
https://libraries.uta.edu/