Is AI the Boogeyman or Santa Claus?

Author

Merissa Sadler-Holder
January 16, 2024

Is AI the Boogeyman or Santa Claus?

Teachers have some strong opinions about AI in Education, all of which are valid. Depending on who you ask, you hear either disparaging remarks or supporting comments.

Which means that preparing students for their future in an AI world will fall on our shoulders.

Last week I was presenting an interactive professional development on AI for teachers. One teacher was vocal and adamantly against the use of AI. Their opinion is valid and they brought up some good points.

But it wasn't until the end of the session, during a 45 minute chat in the parking lot with the teacher that I think I got to the root of their stance. They were 4 years from retirement and not wanting to overhaul their approach and not wanting to have to make yet another change in the educational system.

See the thing is, everything is so black and white- Boogeyman or Santa Claus. But there are so many layers in between.

Teachers, we don't have to overhaul what we do to incorporate AI. 

In fact, my suggestion is and will always be take what you already do and find a place where AI can enhance your amazing work. It's an addition.

So teacher besties, how do we go from Boogeyman to Santa Claus? Or just at least a bit closer to the North Pole?

Here is my ideal-perfect world path.

1) Teacher AI Literacy through meaningful professional development

2) Allow for exploration- let teachers discover what it can do for them

3) Allow for innovation- let teachers discover ways that AI can be incorporated into any curriculum that supports student AI Literacy

4) Student AI Literacy embedded into the classroom and curriculum

It's not a set path, but at least a starting point.

Student AI Literacy is placed at the end, because until teachers are comfortable and confident with AI, they won't be able to "teach" AI literacy to their students.

We cannot suddenly force this on our teachers through initiatives, mandates and directives over night.

Because if we do, AI will remain a boogeyman.

1️⃣ For those interested in starting with step 1, repsond directly to this email by hitting reply.

2️⃣ For those who find themselves at step 2 click here.

3️⃣ For those who are at step 3 click here.

4️⃣ For those at step 4 click here.

We got this besties!

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