Empowering Educators: AI Awareness for Today’s Classroom and Beyond
If there has been one constant over the past 18 months it has been that awareness and training surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) is necessary for all stakeholders. In MVSD, we started this work in the spring of 2023 following the public release of Chat GPT in late 2022. Since then, I have expanded this work to educators across the province and beyond as we all work to navigate the advancements and disruptions AI has brought to our individual roles. With that being said, I am excited to share that I will be further expanding this work via the Manitoba Rural Learning Consortium (mRLC) in the 24/25 school year. The mRLC is a fantastic resource network for educators and I have been using their supports for over a decade so I am honoured for an opportunity to join the team as a session facilitator.
With guidance from the mRLC planning team, I was able to draft the following session:
Intention
Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is increasing in access and becoming embedded into many of the platforms that students, educators, and families use every day. Understanding how AI works enables educators to effectively integrate technology into the curriculum and prepare students for the impact AI plays in both their educational and social life. Awareness of AI’s capabilities and limitations empowers educators to teach critical thinking skills, ethics, and responsible AI usage. In addition, an understanding of AI empowers educators to adapt teaching methodologies and assessment strategies, foster innovation, and strengthen digital literacy to align with the Manitoba Framework for Learning.
Learning Description
In this four-part learning series, participants will:
- Be introduced to what artificial intelligence is, develop an understanding of its capabilities and limitations, and work through how to assess the validity and appropriateness of AI software.
- Align the role of AI within the Manitoba Framework for Learning and adapt existing practices to ensure instructional and assessment practices reflect the presence of AI.
- Frame the role of AI within existing provincial and divisional policies.
- Identify the ethical, equity, and accessibility components related to the use of AI
- Develop classroom-/school-based supports for students, staff, and families to reduce reactive situations stemming from AI use and shift to a proactive model of implementation.
- Implement AI softwares into their unique role and share their experiences with others in the network.
Note: The default approach will be to share AI softwares that are embedded into existing divisional softwares (ie: Microsoft Office 365, Google Education Suite) and software options that do not require a cost to staff or students. When paid softwares are discussed, alternatives will be provided to increase accessibility and equity.
Interested participants can register with mRLC on their website starting TODAY (Monday, May 13th). Further session specifics are dependent on interest in the session, including number of participants and location of participants. I am looking forward to this opportunity and hope to share updates later in the fall.