It’s hard to ignore the proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI). It permeates nearly every technology we use and changes how we create, communicate, and work. While it may feel novel, the concept of artificial intelligence has been around nearly as long as we’ve had computers. It has been baked into technology that we now consider old school. Remember Clippy, the paperclip assistant in Microsoft Word that helped you craft a letter? Each year, AI systems become more complex, and 2023 has been no exception.

Now, we rely on AI systems daily to correct our grammar, recommend entertainment, give us directions, and even clean our floors. To thrive in this world, we must develop our AI literacy. As adults, developing our AI literacy allows us to make the most of AI systems, enabling us to be more efficient and effective and enjoy its benefits. But for our learners, the workforce they enter will use artificial intelligence far beyond what we know today. Learners with knowledge of utilizing AI systems have a significant advantage over those who do not.

“AI technology is expected to create 12 million more jobs than it is expected to replace, and jobs are anticipated to be in high demand, with 97 million specialists needed in the AI industry by 2025.”

(Watters)

On the other hand, we often hear about the negative impacts of AI systems, particularly on marginalized communities. There are numerous instances where bad actors have exploited technology. Blind spots, bias, discrimination, exclusion, data privacy issues, impersonation, and plagiarism are just a few examples. It is not surprising. As with almost every technological innovation, there is a learning curve for the general public to fully understand how to use it. At the same time, bad actors seek ways to exploit it for their benefit. The most effective manner for educators to address technological advancements is to teach learners the technology itself and the ethical implications that come with it. When we know better, we can do better.

Building this knowledge starts with you, the educator. Embrace curiosity and seek to understand AI for your students’ benefit and your own growth. You don’t need to know everything, especially considering how rapidly AI evolves. Still, it’s the world your students will enter, and they bring their unique insights, questions, and experiences. Be bold and leverage them!

Getting Started with AI in Education: A Guide for Educators

New “AI for Educators” resources are popping up every minute. With so much new information, figuring out where to start can take time. Here are a few resources you can use as a guide to help you begin your journey. They are the most accessible and persistent resources I’ve seen in my search for understanding how AI intersects with education. 

• Building the Foundation with “Bringing AI to School”: “Bringing AI to School” is a concise 6-page resource designed to provide educators with a fundamental understanding of AI. It is an essential starting point for those looking to incorporate AI into their teaching methods. Beyond the basics, this resource also offers valuable insights into considerations for educators and leaders when using AI with their students. It’s a practical guide to navigating AI’s integration into education.
• “AI4K12” – Defining What Students Should Know: “AI4K12” is an excellent resource for a comprehensive introduction to AI. It presents “The 5 Big Ideas in AI,” a set of guidelines that define what every student should know about AI and what they should be capable of doing with it. These guidelines provide educators with a clear roadmap, ensuring they cover the essential AI concepts when introducing AI to their students.
• Empowering Educators with Microsoft’s Microlearning Modules: Microsoft’s “Empower Educators to Explore the Potential of Artificial Intelligence” takes educators through a series of microlearning modules. These modules introduce educators to AI and equip them with the knowledge to empower their students. This resource offers a comprehensive understanding of AI and its applications in education. It’s a valuable tool for educators looking to enhance their AI literacy and, in turn, prepare their students for the AI-driven future.

Exploring AI Tools for Educators: Enhancing the Learning Experience

Unsurprisingly, there are a growing number of AI tools designed for educators. Getting your hands on tools like these is critical to developing a working knowledge of AI. It can feel like magic at first, but you will soon begin to understand the benefits and limitations of AI through exploration. Remember that AI systems like these are designed to work alongside you, not altogether remove you from the process. Ensure you review the materials created before using them with your learners. 

• MagicSchool: Unleash Your Creativity: MagicSchool is a suite of AI tools that empowers educators to generate innovative ideas, craft “AI-resistant” assignments, summarize lengthy YouTube videos for quick comprehension, or even adjust the tone of emails to suit different contexts. This versatile tool enables educators to streamline their workload while maintaining their unique teaching style.
• Eduaide.Ai: Streamline Assessments and Feedback: Eduaide.Ai is a suite of AI tools designed to simplify the assessment process. It not only helps in building assessments but also provides insightful feedback to students. Additionally, it offers content ideas to enrich your lessons, ensuring that educators can make the most of their teaching resources.
• Diffit: Reach Every Student: Differentiation is the key to reaching every student, and Diffit is here to help. This AI tool allows educators to tailor their materials to suit the unique learning needs of diverse students. By leveraging AI, educators can make their content more inclusive and accessible.
• Explore More with Dan Fitzpatrick: For a wealth of AI tools explicitly curated for educators, remember to explore the offerings from Dan Fitzpatrick. With many options, you can find tools that suit your teaching style, subject matter, and grade level.

Unlocking AI Learning Resources for Educators and Students

As your understanding of AI grows, so does your desire to empower your students with the same knowledge. Accessing high-quality AI resources is essential, regardless of your grade level or subject matter. Here are some valuable resources:

• K-12: Hands-On AI Projects for the Classroom: Delve into a series of hands-on activities that deepen your AI knowledge and engage your students in the exciting world of AI. Whether you teach elementary or secondary classes or even if you specialize in computer science or electives, this guide has something for everyone.
• 7-12: AI Snapshots and Challenges: Inspire your students with short and straightforward Snapshot activities to spark their curiosity about AI’s ethical and inner workings. For those eager to dig deeper, the Challenges offer extended explorations that ignite the spirit of inquiry.
• 6-12: AI Literacy: Common Sense Education presents a series of lessons that introduce students to the most critical AI concepts in under 20 minutes. These concise lessons perfectly fit various grade levels and provide a solid AI foundation for your students.
• 3-12: Discover AI in Daily Life: Let your students experience the world of AI in action through Google’s top AI experiments. The Applied Digital Skills unit provides an engaging and interactive platform for students to learn how AI works in our daily lives.
• Explore More Lessons at aiEDU’s Project Dashboard: Expand your horizons by exploring additional lessons on AI at aiEDU’s Project Dashboard. These lessons cover many AI topics and can be tailored to suit your students’ needs.

Guiding the Future: AI Best Practices for Educators

As you explore the potential of AI for education, one pivotal consideration is the effective transmission of AI knowledge to your students and colleagues. Whether you’re new to incorporating AI in your classroom or looking to refine your current practices, these general guidelines, sourced from “Bringing AI to School,” will be your guiding light.

• Foster Ethical AI Use & Digital Citizenship

Educate students about the ethical implications of AI, including biases, privacy concerns, and algorithmic fairness. Teach digital citizenship skills, emphasizing responsible and ethical use of AI technologies. Encourage critical thinking and awareness of the societal impact of AI systems.

• Collaboration & Interdisciplinary Learning

Promote collaborative projects that encourage interdisciplinary learning and problem-solving. Encourage cross-disciplinary partnerships among teachers to integrate AI concepts in different subject areas. Foster teamwork and communication skills through group activities related to AI projects.

• Integrate AI into the Curriculum

Introduce AI concepts and applications across various subjects and grade levels. Incorporate AI-related projects, assignments, and hands-on activities into the curriculum. Ensure alignment with subject-area standards and learning objectives.

• Promote Computational Thinking

Emphasize computational thinking skills such as problem-solving, algorithmic thinking, and logical reasoning. Integrate coding and programming activities to develop students’ understanding of AI algorithms and models. Provide opportunities for students to analyze and interpret data using AI tools and technologies.

Unlock AI Learning: Embrace EdTech Cheer and Join Us at the AI Summit!

To extend the spirit of learning and growth, we’re excited to introduce two remarkable opportunities to ignite your enthusiasm for AI education throughout the holiday season!

EdTech Cheer: As the end of the year approaches, we’re thrilled to share “EdTech Cheer,” a 12-day microlearning virtual adventure that promises to infuse your teaching toolkit with the magic of AI. Starting December 1st, we will begin a daily adventure into the captivating world of artificial intelligence. Each day’s communication will be laden with insights, strategies, and activities, all aimed at helping you embrace AI’s potential through the lens of the Triple E framework: Explain, Explore, and Extend. Whether you are an AI enthusiast or just starting, EdTech Cheer will provide scaffolded content that enhances your understanding and enriches your professional practice. So, sign up for twelve days of AI-focused excitement to carry you through the holiday season!

AI Summit: But that’s not all! Mark your calendars for December 13, 2023, for the AI Summit presented by MACUL and Michigan Virtual. This one-day conference is your chance to dive deep into the vast realm of Artificial Intelligence in education. The AI Summit will stimulate your growth mindset, elevate your leadership, and equip you with the tools and insights to apply AI effectively in your classroom, school, district, and region. Here’s an opportunity to connect with like-minded colleagues, share ideas, and explore the burning questions surrounding AI. They’ve carefully curated an immersive learning experience that’s not only affordable but also flexible, ensuring that it suits your role, learning environment, and knowledge level. The AI Summit is your pathway to understanding AI’s implications today and tomorrow, and we can’t wait to start this enlightening adventure with you. 

Preparing Students for an AI-Driven Future

The AI that we’re using today is the most primitive AI we will ever have. Some day, today’s best AI tools will be an example of how far we’ve come. Our students will walk into a world where advanced AI is the norm. The resources in this article aim to set you on a path to introduce AI into your classroom. Because of your efforts now, your students will begin to understand how AI works and how to combat its ethical pitfalls. You are ultimately empowering them to thrive in both the present and future.

Works Cited

Watters, Ashley. “30+ Artificial Intelligence Statistics & Facts for 2022.” Default, 13 Jan. 2023, connect.comptia.org/blog/artificial-intelligence-statistics-facts.

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This blog post was written by Keith Tramper, Education Technology Consultant for Kent ISD and edited by Amanda Walma, T&L Marketing and Communications Specialist for Kent ISD.