Written by Sarah Wood, Education Technology Consultant for Kent ISD

“Who is the best teacher in the world?

It is not a human.

It is not a computer.

The greatest teacher in the world is a human using technology to its full potential.”

–Eric Curts, 2023

‘Tis the season for EdTech Cheer, and this year’s theme will not disappoint – Artificial Intelligence (AI). Educators have a lot of responsibilities, and learning about AI is an added task to stay on top of technology trends that impact teaching and learning, making it a stressful time of year. However, EdTech Cheer is here to spread joy by giving, sharing, and learning, hopefully providing clarity to otherwise frosty thinking.

The Transformative Power of AI in Education

AI is continually proving to be a transformative force in education. Understanding AI enables educators to harness its power to personalize learning, adapt teaching strategies, and make data-informed decisions. It equips them with the tools to prepare students for a technology-driven future. It ensures they remain competitive and adaptable in the evolving educational landscape. As an educator, embracing AI as a valuable teaching and learning tool is vital in providing the best possible learning experiences and preparing students for success in THEIR futures.

Why Every Educator Should Embrace AI

If you are an educator on the fence about learning more about AI, it is okay to be hesitant! There is so much more to AI than Chat GPT, and EdTech Cheer is here to help you gain a deeper understanding of the different aspects of AI. Our bite-sized learning approach allows you to take small but significant steps toward becoming more aware and skilled at implementing AI in your teaching practices. So, don’t hesitate to explore and learn more about AI with us. We’re here to support you throughout the journey!

12 Compelling Reasons Students Should Learn About AI

So, why would a teacher want to be aware of AI to help prepare students for the future? Well, there are 12 compelling reasons why students should learn about AI. After all, it’s the 12 days of EdTech Cheer! You can find the list of these reasons in the prompt “What are 12 reasons students should learn about AI?” which was published by ChatGPT 3.5 on November 8th, 2023, and can be accessed via the following URL: https://chat.openai.com 

1. Relevance: AI is a part of our daily lives, from voice assistants to personalized content recommendations, making AI knowledge highly relevant.
2. Career Opportunities: The AI field is booming, offering students promising career prospects in technology, data science, and AI development.
3. Problem-Solving Skills: AI promotes critical thinking and problem-solving, essential skills for addressing complex challenges in various fields.
4. Digital Literacy: Understanding AI is crucial for digital literacy, empowering students to safely navigate technology and online spaces.
5. Innovation: AI fosters innovation and creativity, encouraging students to think outside the box and develop solutions for real-world problems.
6. Ethical Awareness: AI raises ethical questions regarding bias, privacy, and fairness. Learning about AI helps students navigate these moral complexities and become responsible tech users.
7. Global Perspective: AI is a global field, and AI education provides students with a broader perspective and the ability to participate in international tech discussions.
8. Adaptive Learning: AI enables personalized learning experiences, helping students excel at their own pace and unique learning styles.
9. Future-Ready Skills: AI knowledge equips students with future-ready skills, making them more competitive and adaptable in a rapidly evolving job market.
10. Interdisciplinary Learning: AI spans various disciplines, allowing students to explore the intersections of computer science, mathematics, ethics, and more.
11. Social Impact: AI has the potential to address significant global challenges, such as healthcare, climate change, and education, and students who understand AI can contribute to positive social change.
12. Empowering Creativity: AI tools empower students to create and explore new forms of art, music, and literature, unleashing their creativity in unprecedented ways.

EdTech Cheer 2023: A Micro-PD Course on Artificial Intelligence

EdTech Cheer is an annual micro-PD course, and this year, we’re all about “Artificial Intelligence.” Each day, join us in exploring what AI really means and how it fits into the world of teaching and learning. As you take part in this course, here’s what you can expect:

• Bite-Sized Learning: Receive short daily communications over 12 days, each providing a broad overview of specific topics related to the overall theme of “AI.”
• Time-Efficient: These communications will take up to 30 minutes for you to consume.
• Extend Knowledge: Extra information will allow you to dive deeper into a topic as and when you want.
• Shared Learning: Daily reflections allow you to share your thoughts and resources and learn from others or other ideas. We will track reflections to document your daily participation, enabling you to earn SCECH credit.

Reflections on Last Year’s EdTech Cheer Experience

If you’re curious about the enriching content we’ve shared previously, why not stroll down memory lane and explore last year’s EdTech Cheer on Virtual Rooms? It serves as a testament to the positive experiences shared by educators like yourself, giving you a preview of the engaging learning journey that awaits you this year! Past participants consistently found EdTech Cheer to be a valuable micro-PD course. To offer a glimpse into this enriching experience, here’s what some of last year’s participants had to say:

• “I appreciate all the time in constructing the 12 days of cheer. I have participated the last three years and I am eager to see what next year’s topic will be. They are always well organized and topics are relevant to the classroom. Thank you!”
• “Once again, EdTech Cheer blew past my expectations. I Love the bite-size PD. We are given step-by-step directions to learn, try out, and create. LOVE it!”
• “This course was very well-planned and put together so well. I loved every minute of it, and I highly recommend it to teachers looking to increase student engagement, as well as those interested in improving their design skills using Google Slides! :-)”

Getting Started with EdTech Cheer 2023

Ready to dive into the excitement of EdTech Cheer 2023? Take that first step toward enriching your teaching journey by registering for our “EdTech Cheer (2023 Edition)” professional learning opportunity. This course is crafted to be asynchronous, offering you the freedom to join at any time and explore the fascinating realm of Artificial Intelligence in education. Not only will you gain valuable insights into how AI can be a transformative teaching tool, but registering also opens the door to earning SCECH credit for your daily participation.

Embrace the flexibility to catch up or work ahead based on your schedule – we understand the demands on educators. Designed with your convenience in mind, this course is here to support your professional learning needs. Even if SCECH credit isn’t on your agenda, feel free to visit the website and access a wealth of information tailored to your preferences. Join us on this educational journey, where learning meets convenience!

Education is about building a community, collaborating with others, and constantly learning. AI, on the other hand, promotes creativity, innovation, critical thinking, and communication. The 2023 EdTech Cheer event aims to bring educators together to learn and share their experiences, insights, and creative ideas. It’s like a virtual gathering around a warm fire, where educators come together to celebrate the spirit of learning and innovation!

#EdTechCheer2023 #AIinEducation #ProfessionalLearning #TeachingWithAI #EdTechInsights #SCECHCredit #Innovation #Excellence #FutureOfEducation #KentISDpd #WeLeadLearning

This blog post was written by Sarah Wood, Educational Technology Consultant for Kent ISD and edited by Amanda Walma, Marketing Specialist for T&L at Kent ISD.