by Dr. Gladys I. Cruz
District Superintendent, Questar III BOCES
Last April, I wrote a column about artificial intelligence (AI) and AI tools such as ChatGPT coming to a school near you. At that time, some had concerns about students using AI to cheat, while others pointed to its potential to personalize learning or spur efficiency. I encouraged teachers, staff, parents, guardians, and others to try different AI tools to better understand the context of the conversation, and to weigh in on its potential use.
Over the past several years we have learned several things about AI in schools – from its growing use to the fact that it is not the panacea for every opportunity or challenge facing educators and administrators. An April 2024 survey published by RAND shows that nearly 20 percent of teachers are now using AI, predominately to differentiate lesson planning, and more than 50 percent believe its use in schools would grow.
While AI has existed in education for years, there are still many questions around its use to be answered and the need to provide professional learning opportunities to educators to maximize its use for teaching and learning. AI, like any other innovative tool in human history, will only be as effective as the person using it. While AI is still in its infancy, it is important to approach it with both optimism and caution.
We must invest in professional learning for teachers, staff, and school leaders to ensure they are equipped to use it effectively. To help with this, Questar III BOCES has offered several summer training opportunities for local educators and leaders. Last month, superintendents from Columbia, Greene, and Rensselaer counties attended a leadership institute that included a panel discussion of experts in AI facilitated by leaders from the University at Albany.
Our Model Schools Coordinator Stephanie Carbone, Schodack CSD Superintendent Jason Chevrier and Schodack Technology Integration Specialist Ed Finney presented to 200 school board members as part of the New York State School Boards Association’s (NYSSBA) 3rd Annual Leadership in Education Event last month. They discussed how AI is present at all levels in the system to help board members in creating or applying AI policy, support, and oversight. They noted that it is important not to be too specific in policy as the technology is always changing, and to consider ways to add AI to existing policies.
In partnership with the University at Albany’s School of Education and Academy for the Advancement of Teaching, Leadership, and Schools (AATLAS), Questar III is also offering local educators a course called Introduction to AI in the Classroom. This 15-hour professional development course will help equip participants with the knowledge and skills they need to integrate artificial intelligence into their classrooms and schools. The course covers AI fundamentals, applications in education, ethical considerations, and best practice for integrating AI tools.
Personalized learning remains one of the most promising applications of AI in education. By analyzing a student’s strengths, weaknesses and learning style, AI can tailor educational content to meet individual learner’s needs. We have already seen the use of adaptive testing at the college level and in some limited instances in the K-12 landscape, where tests adapt to the examinee’s ability level, or how well they are performing.
Additionally, AI-powered tutoring systems can provide additional support, offering explanations, practice problems, and feedback 24/7. Teachers can use it to supplement their lesson planning (including if a substitute teacher is needed), automate existing tasks, or identify areas where students are struggling.
Our schools help prepare students for life beyond high school, where job markets and economics are constantly in flux. This is why it is important for students to develop an appreciation for lifelong learning and a willingness to embrace change. AI is no longer a concept confined to science fiction. It is a reality reshaping many industries.
The growth of AI, augmented reality and virtual reality provides our students with opportunities to explore changing fields, experiment with new technologies, and learn in new ways. While it is an exciting innovation with great potential to transform teaching and learning, we need to remain thoughtful and transparent about its potential use and ensure the data privacy and security of our systems.
Are you ready to embrace AI?
This column appeared in the August 20, 2024 edition of the Register Star and The Daily Mail newspapers.
