“A very solid event that has emboldened me to dip my toes into the AI pool, with the goal of wading by the end of next school year.” was what one participant said as they left Kent ISD’s AI Summit this Spring.

On April 29 over 100 education leaders representing principals, teachers, coaches, counselors, specialists, and district administration packed into Kent ISD to share a meal and learn about artificial intelligence. 

Educators’ Sentiment and Current AI Adoption

The event had a palpable energy and as we kicked off we asked the audience to share how they were feeling about AI in their classrooms right now. Nearly two-thirds of attendees said that they were “more excited than scared” when it came to artificial intelligence. The result shows the growing interest educators have in harnessing the power of generative AI to make their tasks more efficient, their lessons more engaging and their materials more accessible for all of their students. 

Our survey also showed that almost 60% of our educators were using generative AI tools daily or weekly. Most reported that they were using a variety of tools, but they were most familiar with ChatGPT and its competitors, Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot. Some reported that they were beginning to try out AI tools like Magic School and SchoolAI, which are designed to support teaching and learning. 

Key Themes from the AI Summit

Throughout the night leaders in AI, both local and around the state shared their perspectives, knowledge, and resources for educating with AI. Sessions centered on teaching with and about AI including topics like AI ethics, equity, policy, and teacher tools. One participant shared that the sessions were “highly engaging, relevant, and organized. Information I can use tomorrow that will have an immediate impact on teaching and learning.” To see more about presenters, topics and resources head over to bit.ly/aisummit24.

Benefits of AI Integration in Education

But the most telling information of the night was what our educators felt were the biggest benefits and challenges of using AI in education. We used ChatGPT to help us identify and describe the themes below, which show what educators are thinking about when it comes to AI in their schools. 

1. Efficiency and Time Saving

AI significantly improves efficiency and saves time by assisting with tasks like email management, document creation, and data summarization, allowing teachers to complete non-instructional tasks quickly and effectively.

2. Creativity

AI fosters creativity and boosts productivity by providing support with brainstorming, idea generation, and critical feedback, which helps teachers expand and refine lessons and learning materials.

3. Learning Supports

AI can provide support like tutoring, personalized resources, and engaging students in new learning experiences, improving the relationship between student and instructor and providing the support students need to learn and grow.

4. Communication 

AI aids in communication and organization by assisting with drafting messages, providing feedback on documents, generating survey topics, and developing communication strategies.

5. Accessibility

AI promotes accessibility and inclusivity by personalizing learning materials to meet the needs for every student, making education more equitable.

6. Data Analysis

AI can analyze data and improve decision-making by offering insights and interpretations, facilitating a deeper understanding, and offering a more critical eye on data sets.

7. Modeling

By using AI, teachers model for students how to use AI tools and navigate the ethical boundaries surrounding their use and misuse.

Challenges of AI Implementation

1. Ethics and Cheating

Curbing and preventing student cheating and plagiarism with AI, developing ethical boundaries promoting academic integrity and responsible use among students.

2. Equity and Access

Ensuring that all students have equitable access to AI resources. Addressing disparities between students who are empowered to use AI and those who are discouraged from doing so so we don’t develop a new digital divide.

3. Data Privacy and Misuse

Safeguarding student data, preventing security breaches, and tackling bullying, fraud, and misuse of AI technologies.

4. Integration and Adjustments

Implementing AI at scale, integrating it with existing curricula and instructional practices, and enhancing learning while maintaining quality teaching and learning practices.

5. Professional Development

There is a need for ongoing professional development for teachers, ensuring that both students and teacher groups can adapt to and effectively use AI tools.

6. Bias

Addressing inherent biases in AI applications that could affect fairness, accuracy, and equitable access. 

7. Guidelines and Policies

Developing and updating guidelines and policies to keep pace with AI advancements, and establishing regulations that ensure safe and equitable use of AI in educational settings.

8. Cognitive Development

Ensuring that AI use does not undermine students’ development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills and supports rather than hinders cognitive development.

Educators’ Reflections on AI in Education

So how do you feel about AI in education right now? More excited than scared? More scared than excited? Still unsure? What do you see as the biggest benefits and challenges with AI? AI is a complex topic, mystifying and scary at times, but it’s clear it’s a growing part of the fabric of living in the modern world and our students need skills and understanding in order to thrive. We, as educators, all need to be talking about it, learning about it, adapting with it. If we don’t, we exacerbate the gap between students who have teachers who embrace AI and those who don’t. 

Moving Forward: Professional Development and Adaptation

Explore the ways AI can make you more efficient, enhance your lessons, and empower your students. “Dip your toe in” to learn how things work. Talk about the benefits and challenges with your colleagues and students and learn alongside them as we all adjust to AI in our lives and our schools.

Next Steps: Kent ISD AI for Educators Workshops

To get started, check out the Kent ISD AI for Educators workshops next year. We’ll explore AI through hands-on, job-embedded, and action-oriented learning. Join us to learn the foundations of AI, how you can use it in your practice and how to guide your students with their AI use. 

Expressing Interest in Future AI Summits

If you’d like to see the Kent ISD AI Summit return next school year, let us know if you’re interested by filling out this form. We’ll send you information when the registration goes live. 

I’m interested in the 2024-25 Kent ISD AI Summit

Additional Learning Opportunities

If you’re looking for more learning you can do this summer, check out professional learning offered by MiSTEM and Code.org, and check out what’s being offered by Michigan Virtual, ISTE, and aiEDU. And don’t miss this years EdTech Cheer that will focus on the 5 Big Ideas in AI.

#AISummit #EdTech #AIinEducation #EducationalInnovation #KentISDpd #WeLeadLearning

This blog post was written by Keith Tramper, Education Technology Consultant for Teaching and Learning at Kent ISD and edited by Amanda Walma, Marketing and Communications Professional for Teaching and Learning at Kent ISD.