Getting AI-Ready: Gearing Up for the Upcoming Academic Year
In a recent webinar, titled "Ready for AI? Preparing for the Next School Year," a panel of education experts, including Matthew Winters, Dr. Michael Gaskell, Kathi Kersznowski, and Kellie Ady, discussed strategies to engage teachers in AI professional development (PD). The event aimed to equip educators with the skills and confidence to integrate AI into their classrooms effectively.
Kathi Kersznowski emphasized the importance of making AI PD more engaging and informal, suggesting approaches such as AI Appetizers, Accountability Buddies, AI Cook-off, Daily Coffee Chat, Spontaneous Planning, and even experimenting with a podcast using NotebookLM.
Matthew Winters highlighted the role of play in using AI, encouraging teachers to "jump in and play" with it. He also stressed that professional development for AI should be viewed as an investment, not an expense. Winters also discussed Utah's statewide AI training initiative, focusing on how AI can boost productivity for teachers by speeding up actions, fostering creativity, and enhancing accessibility.
Winters also suggested focusing on "tool types" rather than specific AI tools due to varied district resources and safety guidelines. He categorized these as constitutionalized chatbots, RAG (Retrieval Augmented Generative) databases, and multimodal AI. One example he provided was using Google Gemini to convert handwritten lists and screenshots into calendar events.
Kellie Ady pointed out a gap between student adoption of AI tools and teacher adoption at the classroom level but noted shifts towards being more open to trying AI tools instructionally. Dr. Michael Gaskell focused on practical and intuitive applications of AI as game changers. He also predicted that AI is here to stay and is not something to be feared.
Effective strategies for engaging teachers in AI Professional Development (PD) involve a combination of well-structured delivery models, relevant content, ongoing support, and fostering collaborative environments. These key approaches include tailored delivery models, practical and relevant content, collaborative and reflective learning, multidisciplinary integration, and ongoing support and mentorship.
By starting AI PD where teachers currently stand, ensuring accessibility, and reducing overwhelm, the panelists emphasized the importance of positioning AI as a tool to enhance teaching rather than complicate it. This positive approach helps motivate engagement and encourages educators to embrace the potential benefits of AI in the classroom.
- Students can benefit from personalized learning enabled by AI, as teachers who undergo professional development in this area can create tailored instructional strategies that cater to each student's unique needs.
- A laptop equipped with various AI tools can be an essential device for a student in a school setting, as it fosters access to education and self-development opportunities beyond the classroom.
- To maximize the impact of STEM education, professional development for teachers should focus on integrating AI technology effectively into the instructional process, allowing for contingent interactions and explorations.
- Incorporating learning strategies such as Accountability Buddies, AI Appetizers, and Daily Coffee Chat into AI professional development sessions can help engage teachers and make the experience more informal and enjoyable.
- Effective assessment of AI-driven learning requires ongoing support for teachers to ensure that they are comfortable using AI tools and can assess students' progress in an informed, reliable, and varied manner.
- By integrating AI into instructional environments, schools can enhance accessibility, productivity, and creativity for both teachers and students, promoting the overall growth and development of the educational community.
