Teachers Told Us They’ve Used AI in the Classroom. Here’s Why — from edweek.org by Lauraine Langreo
One-third of K-12 teachers say they have used artificial intelligence-driven tools in their classroom, according to an EdWeek Research Center survey of educators conducted between Nov. 30 and Dec. 6, 2023.
Of those who said they’ve used AI tools, 21 percent said they’ve used them a little, 10 percent said they’ve used them some, and 2 percent said they’ve used them a lot, according to the survey, which included 498 teachers.
…
Here’s how and why some educators say they’ve been using AI tools in the classroom:
What will the world look like when AI can do in minutes what we can do in 3 weeks (or longer)? That time is here. — from stefanbauschard.substack.com by Stefan Bauschard
Are we preparing students for a world where most existing knowledge work will be done by machines?
I see education heading down one of two paths.
Path 1 — We keep telling the teachers AI cannot do their jobs because it can’t do everything humans can do, and we keep telling kids that learning with AI is cheating and that they will amount to nothing if they use AIs to help do their work. This path is a path toward the irrelevance of educational institutions. AIs can and will be able to do most of what we do. AIs may not be able to do everything as well as us, but at least a lot of the things we do, they will be able to do better.
Path 2 — We help students and teachers understand the world that is emerging around them. Level with them. Explain that the future of every single job is uncertain. Explain that in past technological revolutions that occurred over a much longer period of time than this, many people lost their jobs. Explain that society is about to be substantially disrupted, probably in greater ways than it ever has been before, and certainly faster than ever before. Inform them that every “future of employment” report identifies soft/ durable skills and AI technology skills as the known job skills of the future. Let them know that the future economic value of all knowledge work is uncertain.
From DSC:
Though this next item is not about AI in our learning ecosystems, it caught my eye because having educators use their networks to help sponsor their students seems like a great way to help marginalized students get employed and ahead.
The job market is changing. Here’s how educators can help students keep up. — from kqed.org by Nimah Gobir
Ana Homayoun, an early career development expert and author of Erasing the Finish Line: The New Blueprint for Success Beyond Grades and College Admission, said that educators can support students from marginalized identities by proactively providing resources and support. “Our role as sponsors is really important,” said Homayoun. “That’s a term that I use to describe this idea of creating opportunities for economic growth.” She added that sponsorship includes identifying students that might be facing barriers and leveraging one’s network to give them a leg up.