According to new research, by the end of the 2023–2024 school year, 60% of districts plan to have trained teachers on AI use. The promise of AI is continually praised, with technology developers and vendors hailing it as the miracle solution that will usher in a new era of learning and alleviate the burden for burnt-out educators everywhere.
In pK-12 education, we are drawn to the potential of a silver bullet solution, reminiscent of the fervor surrounding blended and personalized learning in its heyday. However, districts are approaching AI with cautious optimism as they develop implementation and training programs.
AI is a tool, and not a solution in and of itself for the complex challenges facing educators today. However, there is immense potential for this new technology to advance district goals and student outcomes. To reap the benefits, districts must first discern where AI tools fit in their strategic plan and formulate protocols for its effective integration. Here are some strategies they can employ to tackle this Herculean endeavor and empower educators in their day to day.
1. Prioritize content at the forefront
Research indicates that the content and instructional material provided to teachers carries significant weight, sometimes surpassing the impact of teacher quality itself. Educators have reported that the most common ways they are using AI tools today are to adapt instructional content to fit the level of their students and to generate new materials. In light of these findings, guiding educators to effectively leverage AI to implement high-quality instructional materials should be at the top of leaders’ to-do list.
In response to the learning loss experienced during the pandemic, there has been a notable increase in the adoption of high-quality curricula nationwide, with school districts at the forefront of this effort. Despite the promising increases, it is estimated that less than 20% of the materials in use in classrooms are aligned to standards.
High-quality instructional materials offer students rich and rigorous learning experiences, but they are often dense and challenging for teachers to parse through, which can inadvertently encourage supplemental use. Providing technology that sources core curriculum can ensure the quality of AI and nullify the need to weaken instruction with outside resources. This is where technology focused on quality content can make an immense impact.
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Every new AI tool on the market is not created equal. While some free and easily accessible AI technologies may be enticing, they often fall short of meeting the rigorous quality standards set by school districts for lesson planning and curriculum requirements. Read reviews on many new products and you’ll find they are riddled with issues, including simple mathematical errors and spelling mistakes.
When establishing guidelines for usage or assessing new technology, it’s crucial to conduct a thorough evaluation of the content quality and the database from which it draws information and content.
2. Put teachers in the driver’s seat
District leaders undoubtedly recognize the pivotal role teachers play in the classroom and often find themselves disconnected from day-to-day classroom realities. Teachers possess an intimate understanding of their students and are best positioned to determine the most effective methods to achieve desired outcomes.
In crafting guidelines for AI adoption, it’s imperative that teachers are actively involved in the decision-making process. This can be achieved by involving teachers in the technology procurement and testing process to provide input on beneficial features and shortcomings. Additionally, hosting professional development seasons where teachers can voice their opinions, ask questions and troubleshoot is a sound way to collect input and identify challenges. Engaging teachers in the process not only empowers them with access to the technology but also fosters a level of ownership due to their direct participation.
Concerns and criticisms have emerged regarding the application of AI in K-12 education, particularly surrounding grading and lesson planning. Some worry that relying on AI may lead to shortcuts and a decline in quality.
In my discussions with district leaders, there have been debates about imposing restrictions or limitations on the use of ChatGPT by students and educators. Imposing rigid mandates and guidelines on teachers, devoid of their input, is a recipe for failure. Instead, providing them with the best possible tools and encouraging teachers to lead the way holds the greatest promise for success.
3. Interrogate your technology procurement process
District leaders must be diligent in their evaluation of new tools and offerings. They should ask the following of vendors:
- Have educators been involved in testing?
- Where is the information and content pulled from? Are there any guardrails?
- How does it integrate my state and district standards?
- How compatible is this with current systems?
- Does this offering comply with data and privacy standards?
After a thorough review process to ensure any new technology aligns with your strategic plan and academic needs, a pilot program will be essential to get that teacher input we talked about earlier. Consider piloting potential AI technology in a limited number of classrooms ahead of any full-scale implementation. Provide a clear avenue for teacher training, input and reporting to see the most success.
As education technology continues to evolve, there’s often a dynamic relationship between the direction pushed by the technology industry and the specific needs and preferences of districts and teachers. I’m eager to witness this play out with the adoption of AI, which is frequently heralded as a swift fix.
Schools must carefully assess how AI aligns with district goals and the needs of their educators and ensure teachers are actively involved in the decision-making process. Teaching and learning is a social process; with proper consideration and collaboration, perhaps AI can offer classrooms the necessary support to let teachers do what they do best: connect with and inspire young people.
