AI in Education: Policy and the Student Experience
Sample Workshop Outline
Areas of Exploration·
But First--the AI Policy and PD Vacuum
Elements of AI Policy and Syllabus Language with Examples (this makes up the majority of the workshop)
Exploring ways to keep students from using AI inappropriately (as time allows and desired--covered in workshop on Strategies for Teachers)·
Learning to use AI effectively and responsibly
o Check for bias
o Check logic and analysis
- Elements of AI Policy and Syllabus Language with Examples
- Exploring ways to keep students from using AI inappropriately
- Learning to use AI effectively and responsibly
But First--the AI Policy and PD Vacuum
- A recent survey of K-12 teachers, students, and parents gives an updated sense of the increase in awareness and use of generative AI in education and includes the following key findings relevant to administrators:
- Most K-12 teachers, parents, and students don’t think their school is doing much about AI, despite its widespread use. Most say their school has no policy on it, is doing nothing to offer desired teacher training, and isn’t meeting the demand of students who’d like a career in a job that will need AI. and
- The AI vacuum in school policy means it is currently used “unauthorized,” while instead people want policies that encourage AI. Kids, parents, and teachers are figuring it out on their own/without express permission, whereas all stakeholders would rather have a policy that explicitly encourages AI from a thoughtful foundation
Elements of AI Policy and Syllabus Language with Examples (this makes up the majority of the workshop)
- State and Federal Guidance on the use of AI in Education
- Legislation in the US and Abroad
- Security issues when using generative AI
- Strategies for creating District Policies and Syllabus Language
- Sample Policies and Syllabus Language
Exploring ways to keep students from using AI inappropriately (as time allows and desired--covered in workshop on Strategies for Teachers)·
- Discuss Academic Integrity specifically regarding AI and include it in Syllabus/Class documents
- Emphasize process more than product, including feedback and revision loops with examples
- Focus on analysis, critical thinking, creativity, and application of concepts to personal or otherwise unique situations/issues/problems with examples
- Include oral presentations and discussions
Learning to use AI effectively and responsibly
- Always remember that AI is a tool, not a solution
- AI Makes Mistakes, some of which are funny, but some are embarrassing
- Apply Critical Thinking to outputs
o Check for bias
o Check logic and analysis
- Cite output from AI as such
- As with the Internet (and all things), use AI ethically