Over the past few years, research has uncovered how educators are experimenting with artificial intelligence despite initial fears surrounding cheating and academic dishonesty. It’s been a great tool for creating lesson plans, providing real-time feedback on students’ assignments and streamlining tasks. But what about our administrators? How are your peers leveraging this technology?
Leaders are using AI to create efficiencies outside the classroom, declares a new report from edtech provider Cambium Learning Group. The researchers surveyed nearly 500 K12 administrators and teachers about their perceptions of the evolving state of education and the role of AI.
Administrators use AI most frequently to analyze and interpret student data, say 61% of the respondents. They also use it to manage student records (56%) and professional development (56%).
However, several barriers are hindering their ability to fully tap into AI’s potential. Both leaders and teachers were asked to rank their top three challenges to AI adoption. Here’s what they said:
- Data privacy and security
- Insufficient AI training
- Uncertainty about the effectiveness of AI in improving student outcomes
“The power of generative AI will continue to transform K12 education as we know it,” Cambium Chairman and CEO Ashley Andersen Zantop said in a statement. “We must ensure we leverage it as a force multiplier for good—empowering teachers, students, administrators and families to accelerate academic outcomes and close opportunity gaps.”
How edtech is helping retain teachers
It’s a tough time for teachers, the report adds, as more than one-third of the educators surveyed reported that their jobs are more challenging post-pandemic because of learning loss, staffing shortages and insufficient mental health support, among other issues.
Technology helps to alleviate that pressure. The same percentage of teachers believe their jobs have become easier since the pandemic. Forty-three percent of them attribute this to the role of edtech in streamlining tasks and the increased use of technology to personalize student learning (40%).
Edtech is also helping administrators attract future teachers, too. Seventy-two percent of leaders say increased use of technology will attract more educators to the profession.
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Technology is creating jobs
Eighty percent of administrators said a candidate’s technical skills are highly important in the hiring process, the report attests. These skills also transfer to leadership roles as more than half of administrators are now required to complete edtech and cybersecurity training.
Leaders have also recognized the importance of integrating tech-based roles in their schools. Twenty percent of respondents reported that their schools/districts have created new positions, including:
- Education technology specialist
- Technology teachers
- AI education researcher
- Education data analyst
- AI development expert
- AI strategic scientist
- Edtech consultant
