AI in Education: Progress with Purpose

AI's Growing Role

Artificial intelligence is rapidly permeating our world, appearing in news, social media, and daily discussions. Its impact on how we work, communicate, and tackle problems is becoming increasingly clear. Consequently, educational institutions must address this shift thoughtfully and responsibly.

The question for Clarence isn't whether to engage with AI, but how to integrate it in a way that benefits students. The board of education recognized AI exploration as an organizational goal nearly a year ago. This focus was further emphasized during strategic planning, highlighting "progress with purpose" – a balance between encouraging innovation and supporting well-being, readiness, and mindful tech use.

Meaningful Integration

The aim is to adopt practices that truly improve teaching, learning, and student experiences, rather than simply using new tools for their novelty. Substantial work is already happening. Staff have recently participated in training sessions covering topics such as “Instructional Innovation and Artificial Intelligence,” “What Artificial Intelligence Is and Why It Matters,” “Teaching with Artificial Intelligence,” and “Introduction to the Google Notebooks AI Tool.”

These workshops allowed educators to explore AI's capabilities and its potential classroom applications. These discussions sparked practical questions and promoted collaborative learning.

Looking Ahead

The next phase involves creating an AI integration team of 20-25 educators from across the district. This group, consisting of teachers, specialists, and administrators, will identify tools, assess best practices, address ethical concerns, and experiment with different approaches. Their task is to help Clarence transition from learning about AI to using it meaningfully within the school community.

The objective is to guide the use of new technology in alignment with the values and priorities, rather than just introducing it. AI will inevitably impact most professions, so schools have a responsibility to equip students for that future with confidence, curiosity, and sound judgment. This is an exciting time for education, and ongoing updates on this important work will be shared.