ISTELive Content
Virtual Session10 MINUTES: Introduction. Identification of trends and predictions about artificial intelligence that could impact preparation of students in the K-12 setting. (Examples: further growth of large language models, improvements in natural language processing, development of hardware that interfaces with the body and brain, AI-impacted changes in the workforce, evolving definition and impact of humanity, etc.)
5 MINUTES: Introduction of the concept of "Tomorrow Glasses." How can we prepare students for this future? We often look at education through our "today glasses," preparing students for the way the world is today. Instead, we need to look at education -- classes, policy, lesson plans -- through tomorrow glasses. It can be imprecise and messy, but it's our best chance to prepare students for their future.
How do we prepare students for a future we can't envision?
10 MINUTES: Concept 1: Process over product. When AI cheapens the product, the best way to assess learning is to focus on the process. Identify practices like frequent student checks, reflection activities, writing checklists, video reflections, etc.
10 MINUTES: Concept 2: Discuss ethics. As AI grows, it will create unique ethical dilemmas that will require tough decisions. The more that students can grapple with ethical issues while in school, the better prepared they'll be to confront them head-on in the real world. Example ethical issues: killer military drones, autonomous vehicles, etc. We'll tease out a few examples and discuss how they can be implemented in classroom discussion (in the context of curriculum and standards).
Audience participation: Ask how these first two could be implemented in their classroom or role in education.
10 MINUTES: Concept 3: Teaching AI without teaching AI. Most teachers don't teach computer science. It isn't in their content standards. But we can share our own personal experience with AI products -- how we use and don't use them, concerns we have, solutions we've found, etc. These lessons can happen in short bursts -- 30 seconds to a couple minutes at a time. Even if AI technology will change drastically in coming years, these foundational principles -- and how they affect our humanity -- will set a firm foundation.
15 MINUTES: Final three concepts. We'll discuss #4: the importance of being a better learner -- knowing how to optimize our learning based on cognitive science -- so students will be better prepared to adapt to future changes. We'll discuss #5: emphasizing problem solving skills. As technology changes rapidly (along with the needs of the world and the workforce), students will need sharp problem-solving skills to confront whatever comes their way. And we'll discuss #6: emphasizing collaboration and relationships. We might not be able to control how technology changes, but we will always have fellow humans -- and we'll always feel the need for belonging, connection, etc.
Conclude by answering questions.
Interaction: I'll include a backchannel conversation through something like Canva Live where participants can share their own examples and questions to address during the presentation.
The Coming Wave by Mustafa Suleyman
Scary Smart by Mo Gawdat
The Singularity is Nearer by Ray Kurzweil
AI 2041 by Kai-Fu Lee and Chen Qiufan
Unmasking AI by Dr. Joy Buolamwini
AI for Educators by Matt Miller
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