I’ve been taking a class, AI Deep Dive, specifically designed for K-12 educators, instructional leaders and professional learning facilitators to learn how to use AI in a meaningful way in the classroom.
It sparked my thinking, particularly how can I model using AI when coaching teachers? How can I support teachers to design and assess lessons more effectively? How can we allow students to use it effectively and responsibly?
This isn’t my first experience with AI. I took a course, AI Basics, about a year and half ago because I didn’t want to get left behind in technology. My father always told me, you have to keep up with the technology even if you don’t need to use it. He was one of the smartest people I know, so I listened to his advice.
John Banks - you are the best.
So, what have I learned and how can it help you?
AI is a tool, not a solution.
I think about it like the internet. The internet is incredibly helpful but it can’t do my job or live my life.
If used well, it can save time, broaden your thinking and support your planning.
If used poorly, it will feel like one more thing to do.
Here are three ways to start using AI right now:
1. Thought partner and brainstorm: Use AI to get unstuck. Plug in a specific prompt, the more information, the better the response.
Attach an assignment and ask it to modify the assignment and provide a graphic organizer with sentence stems to complete the assignment.
2. Assessment: AI can generate assessments quickly. Attach a lesson and readings for an assignment and ask it to create a 20 question test with a mix of multiple choice and short answer questions.
Review the content for accuracy, relevance and bias. You will always need to make changes so do not expect to copy and paste. Watch out for anything too general.
3. Modeling and guide student use: students are going to use AI, so let’s guide them on how to use it ethically.
Be clear about how students can use it with a visual artifact: you can use it for brainstorming, creating an outline, and double checking your work. You can NOT use it for assessments. Acknowledge how you used AI.
So where should you start?
If AI feels complicated or overwhelming, start small:
AI can support our thinking, not replace it.
Remember, have fun, you can always ask it to tell a joke.