ClassX Video Lessons Subjects Artificial Intelligence Level Up Your PD With Our New “AI Foundations” Course! | Monday Morning Momentum
Welcome to another insightful session designed to equip educators with the resources they need for a successful back-to-school experience. I’m Christen Lessa, Education Marketing and Community Coordinator at Common Sense Education, and today I’m joined by Jamie, our Western Regional Manager.
As the new school year kicks off, teachers are navigating the blend of excitement and challenges that come with it. While many educators have recently completed professional learning sessions with their districts, we at Common Sense Education are excited to introduce a new course focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. This course is designed to enhance professional learning by providing a foundational understanding of AI and its implications in the classroom.
AI is rapidly becoming a significant part of our educational landscape. Our course aims to demystify AI, offering educators a practical understanding of what AI is and how it can be integrated into teaching. The course is structured into three comprehensive modules:
The course includes definitions, short videos, and reflective exercises to help educators critically assess how AI should be utilized in their classrooms. One of the key discussions revolves around the risks of generative AI, such as the potential for generating harmful content.
Our goal is for educators to engage with this course throughout the year, building a robust understanding of AI that they can share within their educational communities. The course is designed to be accessible and digestible, making it an excellent entry point for those new to AI.
As you consider incorporating AI into your teaching, reflect on these foundational questions:
The AI Foundations course is conveniently linked on our back-to-school landing page for easy access. In addition to this course, we offer a variety of self-paced courses covering topics such as digital citizenship, healthy digital habits, and student privacy protection. These resources are part of our commitment to supporting educators in their professional development journey.
By participating in these courses, educators can earn the Common Sense Educator badge, recognizing their dedication to fostering digital citizenship in their classrooms.
Thank you, Jamie, for sharing these valuable resources. We wish all educators a successful and enriching start to the school year!
Engage in a hands-on workshop where you will explore the basics of AI through interactive activities. This session will help you understand AI’s definition and functionality, providing a solid foundation for further learning.
Participate in a structured debate focusing on the ethical considerations of AI in education. This activity will encourage you to critically analyze issues such as AI bias and discuss potential solutions with your peers.
Work in groups to analyze real-world case studies on the impact of generative AI in education. This activity will help you identify both the benefits and risks associated with AI, fostering a deeper understanding of its implications.
Maintain a reflective journal throughout the course, documenting your thoughts on how AI can be integrated into your teaching practice. This exercise will aid in developing a personalized approach to using AI in the classroom.
Join a panel discussion with experts in the field of AI and education. This event will provide you with insights into the latest trends and challenges, allowing you to ask questions and engage in meaningful dialogue.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the YouTube transcript:
—
Hi everyone, I’m Christen Lessa, Education Marketing and Community Coordinator here at Common Sense Education. We’re back for another episode where we help educators get prepared and have the resources they need for back-to-school at their fingertips. Today, I’m joined by my colleague, Jamie, our Western Regional Manager.
Hello again, Jamie! How’s it going?
What’s the word, Christen? I’m doing well, happy to be here!
How’s back-to-school going? Is your daughter back in school?
Yes, my daughter is on day two. She’s met her new teacher. I can see the mix of stress and joy in teachers right now—some are wishing it was still summer, while others are eager to get started. The first few weeks are such a critical time in the school year. Teachers are probably just coming off some professional learning with their districts and may not be thinking about professional development at this point, but here at Common Sense, we are!
We’ve just released some great courses for teachers, particularly on the topic of AI in education, which is a big focus right now. Jamie, can you tell us more about this new course and why it’s beneficial for schools and districts to consider it for their professional learning this year?
Absolutely! As educators, one of the beautiful things about us is that we never stop learning. We wanted to create a course that practically addresses what AI is and how it can be used in the classroom. Many educators might be struggling to understand the foundations of AI, how to use it, and how to address ethical considerations.
Our new course introduces what AI is, discusses ethical considerations, and provides general ways to get started using AI in the classroom. The course is divided into three modules: understanding what AI is and how it works, exploring AI and unfair bias along with other ethical considerations, and discussing the potential impact of generative AI on education.
It’s important to note that this course does not teach you how to create prompts or use AI for lesson planning. Instead, it provides a comprehensive introduction to help you and your colleagues understand AI critically.
Some highlights of the course include definitions, short videos, and reflections on how AI should and shouldn’t work in your classroom. We also address potential risks and benefits of using generative AI.
For example, one of the risks associated with generative AI is the generation of harmful content, which can include inappropriate text or images.
The hope is that educators can engage with this course throughout the year and create a solid foundation for understanding AI in their communities. Our entire team went through the course, and we found it very digestible, which is crucial for professional learning.
AI can be a daunting topic for many educators, especially those who may not be using it in their classrooms yet. This course serves as a great entry point for them.
If you’re grappling with how to navigate AI in your classroom, consider asking yourself three foundational questions: What are the risks? How and when should I use it? And how can I teach my students critical thinking skills while using it?
This AI Foundations course is linked on our back-to-school landing page, so educators can easily access it. Jamie, can you briefly list other courses we offer for educators?
Sure! Our self-paced course catalog includes topics like modeling healthy digital habits, introducing digital citizenship, and protecting student privacy. We also have a monthly EdWeb series and participate in conferences and regional presentations throughout the year.
Additionally, all these courses can help educators earn their Common Sense Educator badge, which recognizes their commitment to digital citizenship.
Thank you, Jamie, for sharing these valuable professional development resources as teachers head back to school.
Wishing everyone a wonderful start to the school year!
—
This version maintains the essential information while removing any informal language and personal anecdotes.
AI – Artificial Intelligence, the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines, especially computer systems. – AI is transforming the landscape of education by providing personalized learning experiences for students.
Education – The process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits. – The integration of AI in education has the potential to enhance the learning experience by offering tailored educational content.
Professional – Relating to a job that requires special education, training, or skill. – Professional development programs are increasingly incorporating AI tools to help educators improve their teaching strategies.
Learning – The acquisition of knowledge or skills through study, experience, or teaching. – Machine learning algorithms are being used to analyze student data and improve learning outcomes.
Ethical – Relating to moral principles or the branch of knowledge dealing with these. – Ethical considerations are crucial when implementing AI technologies in educational settings to ensure fairness and transparency.
Considerations – Careful thought, typically over a period of time, about a decision or action. – When deploying AI in classrooms, considerations must include data privacy and the potential impact on student engagement.
Generative – Relating to or capable of production or reproduction, often used in the context of AI to describe models that can create new content. – Generative AI models are being used to develop innovative educational materials that cater to diverse learning needs.
Risks – The possibility of something bad happening, often used in the context of evaluating potential negative outcomes. – The risks associated with AI in education include data security breaches and the potential for biased algorithms.
Resources – A stock or supply of materials, staff, and other assets that can be drawn on by a person or organization in order to function effectively. – AI can help educators identify and allocate resources more efficiently to support student learning.
Citizenship – The status of being a member of a particular country, with associated rights and responsibilities, often extended to digital contexts in education. – Digital citizenship education is essential to prepare students for responsible use of AI technologies in society.
