Online Events Focused on Technology and Education
In the ever-evolving landscape of education, technology plays an increasingly significant role. Tech & Learning, a leading resource for K-12 education, has been at the forefront of guiding schools in integrating AI responsibly and effectively. A series of webinars hosted by Tech & Learning have provided valuable insights into the practical applications of AI, focusing on student safety, digital wellbeing, and enhancing teaching and learning experiences.
One such webinar, "3 Modern Challenges Facing District IT Leaders," sponsored by Linewize, discussed practical solutions for empowering IT teams and district leaders as they navigate modern edtech challenges, particularly the rise of innovations like generative AI. The session provided advice on how to equip staff and students for success in the evolving world of AI, while ensuring student safety and digital wellbeing.
Another webinar, "Implementing an AI Roadmap Framework: Preparing Staff & Students," offered advice on training staff to be comfortable with the integration of AI tools and supporting students in using AI tools effectively. This webinar, part of Tech & Learning's partnership with PowerSchool, also highlighted the importance of creating and communicating AI guidelines and policies.
The webinar "Designing an AI Roadmap Framework: Creating and Communicating AI Guidelines and Policies," in partnership with PowerSchool, delved deeper into the integration and comprehension of AI's usefulness in school districts. It emphasized the need for a human-centered AI implementation framework, starting with stakeholder engagement across teachers, students, administrators, parents, and IT staff.
The "K-12 Cybersecurity in the Age of AI: Taking Back Control" webinar focused on securing data from AI-driven risks while ensuring districts retain control over technology. It underscored the importance of implementing privacy-by-design, complying with FERPA, COPPA, and data security standards, and actively mitigating AI bias to gain trust and protect student data during AI adoption.
Participants in these webinars shared advice, best practices, and specific ways to provide professional development (PD) centered around implementing AI. A simple, effective five-step process was presented to improve interactions with families and address attendance challenges.
Key takeaways from these webinars emphasize responsible, human-centered, and practical approaches to integrating AI to enhance teaching and learning. For instance, the IBM AI Education series offers foundational concepts in AI with direct K–12 classroom applications, empowering educators to teach AI responsibly and embed it within their instruction.
AI is also being leveraged as a collaborative thought partner for creativity and lesson planning, supporting teachers as they brainstorm and problem-solve without supplanting teacher control. AI's role in reducing administrative workload and offering individualized support for students with special needs is also being explored, while addressing legal, ethical, and privacy concerns relevant to special education.
Leading platforms like SchoolAI showcase how AI tools can boost personalized learning, equity, student engagement, and teacher effectiveness. They emphasize making students feel supported and bringing joy back into classrooms by automating routine tasks.
In conclusion, Tech & Learning's webinars underscore thoughtful, ethical AI use centered on people rather than technology. By combining educator expertise with AI’s capabilities, they aim to enhance creativity, equity, and operational efficiency while safeguarding privacy and addressing bias. The webinars also highlight the need for strategic blueprints that align educational goals with technology infrastructure and governance, transforming business operations in schools for the better.
- Tech & Learning's webinars offer advice on training staff to be comfortable with the integration of AI tools, which is crucial for enhancing teaching and learning experiences in schools.
- The IBM AI Education series empowers educators to teach AI responsibly by providing foundational concepts with direct K–12 classroom applications.
- AI tools, like those demonstrated by platforms such as SchoolAI, can boost personalized learning, increase student engagement, and enhance teacher effectiveness in schools.
- By combining educator expertise with AI's capabilities, schools can aim to enhance creativity, equity, and operational efficiency while safeguarding privacy and addressing bias in education-and-self-development.
