AI Literacy on a Budget: Is DIY Enough for Schools?

I am deeply passionate about AI and its potential to transform various aspects of our lives. Despite not having 'formal' credentials in the field, I have immersed myself in the world of artificial intelligence, using GenAI to enhance my work and inspire others. I run AIxPBL intending to use AI in every part of the process. The recognition I receive from influential individuals, the invitations to incredible podcasts, and the numerous requests for advice on LinkedIn serve as a testament to the impact of my inquisitive nature and the growing interest in my unique perspective.

In my day-to-day life, I wear many hats. I am developing an AI-enhanced tutoring program and I test this by teaching the kids myself. I am a curriculum consultant and writer for iCAMP , and I play a crucial role in developing and revamping educational content. Additionally, I collaborate with iCAMP /KAIba on an AI development program, working alongside teachers to develop a cutting-edge AI tool that aims to benefit not only iCAMP 's staff and partner schools but also the broader global community.

My passion for AI extends beyond my work with Icamp. I collaborate with remarkable individuals like Efraim Lerner , Matt Ivey ?? , John Thomas Kelly ?? , Thom Markham, Ph.D. , Angelo Biasi , Ryan Tannenbaum , Andrew Wright from EDUmetaverse and John Rainford FRSA FTLS , focusing on AI literacy and integration strategies. Together, we work on ambitious projects that explore anything from AI Literacy certifications to systems thinking to sustainability, striving to make all learning in schools relevant.

I have contributed a chapter about AI in PBL in Dan Jones new incredible PBL book Modern PBL: Project-Based Learning in the Digital Age (Releasing this week under The Everything Edtech Series! - The 2nd book to Dan Fitzpatrick s groundbreaking AI book - The AI Classroom ), and I am currently contributing to other books in the pipeline and will be publicised shortly.

I dedicate myself fully to my work, often logging 80 hours or more each week. Much of my time is spent quietly reading articles, especially the works of Dr Nick Jackson , Chris Goodall , Jason Gulya , Stefan Bauschard , Leon Furze , Matthew Wemyss , Philip Murdoch ?? , C. Harun B?ke , Dr. Sabba Quidwai , Vera Cubero , Daniel A. López , Alex Gray , Al Kingsley , Asma Khattala Ph.D , Erica Trump , Michelle Kassorla, Ph.D. , MJ Morris and Darren Coxon . I seek out other incredible individuals and engage with them whenever possible. My forgiveness if I left anyone off the list, there are so many great people in this space.

The realm of AI Literacy is fascinating, yet it often feels like a paradox. We see a wave of hype and what-if discussions, an abundance of PDF carousel documents, marketing tips to have 100,000 followers with AI prompts (Thank goodness LinkedIn has seemed to work that out and they are disappearing from my feed) and a plethora of polished AI graphics, but a scarcity of individuals genuinely utilising AI to effect tangible change. This is understandable given the novelty and complexity of the technology, but the lack of substantial progress can be disheartening.

At iCAMP , I've had the privilege of witnessing the evolution of AI literacy firsthand, as probably one of the first AIxPBL consultants in the World, and it's been a remarkably straightforward yet complex at the same time process.

Initially, I believed that schools could independently integrate AI with the right documents or guidance, but over time, I've come to realise how complex AI Literacy is. Successful implementation requires a lot of insight, an awareness of good tools, experiments, failures, lessons, guidance documents, and collaboration with reputable platforms and specialised educational providers like Solvably for Middle/High/University/Corporate AI Literacy and iCAMP . I am sure there are more, MyTeacherAide , chip.ai , Mindjoy are a couple that spring to mind.

The project I'm undertaking with Thom Markham, Ph.D. and Angelo Biasi at Solvably aims to provide a platform for both corporations and educational institutions to develop AI literacy competencies. It's a challenging endeavour, but our discussions consistently converge at the intersection of EdTech, Angelo's expertise, Project Based Learning (PBL), and human-centred learning principles. Thom, 'the Godfather of PBL', and I strive to connect the dots with AI's capabilities. Together, we're crafting something extraordinary, a platform that goes beyond a mere fancy EdTech tool and fosters a new approach to portfolio design thinking and learning. It's a project that has caused many sleepless nights, and one that I know we three are incredibly passionate about.

At iCAMP , I fulfil dual roles as an AI developer and an AI-enhanced curriculum consultant. AI propels my work to new heights, enabling me to produce exceptional Sustainability-driven STEM/STEAM content. The kids at summer camp are in for an unforgettable experience, where they'll have a blast and acquire fundamental Sustainability, coding and collaboration skills. This is all thanks to research, practical knowledge, and AI.

With all the intellectual effort, sleepless nights, and countless hours spent poring over LinkedIn posts, documents, books, websites, and articles, I can't help but wonder how any school in the world can replicate the level of thought power and hyper-focus on micro-processes that impact systems thinking and the entire school/business ecosystem. How can schools change the culture from nepotism and the hierarchical all-powering principal/director/CEO to a culture of creativity and innovation? How can you simply assign that AI integration responsibility to any teacher and expect them to give it their all? I love what the AI people are doing in schools, but often it's part of their job, and in those jobs they wear many hats, it's hard to do 'just AI' things.

Furthermore, how can you place the entire burden on a leader when their staff may hold mixed opinions about them? Some may even resist without reason, and the constant stream of emails about AI coffee chats can quickly become overwhelming.

Schools face unique challenges in navigating the AI landscape. This is where AI consultancy experts (think Mike Kentz , Merissa Sadler-Holder ) or platforms like Solvably offer a distinct advantage. TeachAI and the guidance from Stefan Bauschard and Dr. Sabba Quidwai leads the way, Amanda Bickerstaff with AI for Education , Alex Kotran with aiEDU.org and Pat Yongpradit with TeachAI They provide schools with something they can rarely replicate internally: unbiased, structured processes driven by experts with deep AI expertise. While many leaders are eager to discuss AI, they often prioritise immediate results over the sustained effort required for true transformation. (Just like the Visible Thinking movement, or the PBL movement, or the STEM movement, or the Science of whatever movement, or the Critical Thinking movement), they are just quickly stacked on things and implemented badly. So, we are still exploring the question - how can we implement AI well? (Especially when we really don't know what it is) and.. how can AI enhance and not overwhelm schools, teachers, and businesses? How do we prioritise tech over literacy or numeracy challenges?

While I wholeheartedly believe that every teacher possesses the potential to embrace Project-Based Learning (PBL) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) methodologies and that every school can evolve from traditional structures into vibrant hubs of creativity and innovation, it's undeniable that this transformation is a complex and often overwhelming endeavour. The prospect of integrating an AI tool to enhance lesson planning may inadvertently lead to the generation of subpar lessons, and reliance on AI tools, ultimately resulting in diminished teaching effectiveness. If that happens, why do we even need teachers? Can anyone just stand in a class and ask students to talk to a chatbot? We need a of critical thinking power to make sure we are implementing good AI tools and reducing the stress/complexities that teachers face.

Moving forward, I believe that the movement now lies in the pragmatic implementation of AI. This necessitates investments in AI Consultants, AI literacy initiatives and certifications, with a resolute focus on tangible outcomes rather than succumbing to the allure of hype. Prioritising Project-Based Learning is paramount, as AI demonstrates exceptional proficiency in this domain.

Simultaneously, the deconstruction of curriculum codes into digestible lesson segments is of equal significance. Understanding Assessment is crucial. Considering Portfolio Learning. Re-thinking how we teach and how kids learn best. Student voice, agency, and protagonism need to be considered. Ethical considerations and safeguarding measures must remain at the forefront throughout this process. By showcasing real-world examples of successful AI solutions, establishing dedicated AI Literacy innovation hubs, that are managed by AI Literacy Consultants or Consultancies and fostering collaboration among schools to solve shared challenges, we can pave the way for meaningful progress. Crucially, aligning AI initiatives with the Sustainable Development Goals is a critical facet that warrants greater attention, especially on platforms like LinkedIn, where such discussions are often conspicuously absent.

Phase 2 of Ed's transformation necessitates a strategic investment in AI Literacy.

I won't try to oversell myself, but I live and breathe AI, especially its potential for Sustainability and inclusive education. I use it for everything, and my prompting skills allow me to get a lot better results than what people complain about. I'm here to offer guidance to your school, institution, or business, not as a self-proclaimed expert, but as someone who genuinely believes AI can create a better learning environment and a better society for all.

Let's support the newest wave of AI Literacy consultants, the AI for Education and Sustainability movements, and continue pushing the boundaries of what AI can do for schools and society as a whole.

Let's get to work

Phil