Ed3 Weekly: AI's Tangible Tools

I thought the rabbit hole of Web3 was deep, but delving into the realm of AI is an even more profound experience. Unlike a mere conceptual exploration, this journey is highly functional, unveiling a multitude of possibilities. As I navigate this realm, I find myself constantly pondering the diverse ways to wield this tool.

One striking contrast between AI and blockchain is the tangible nature of AI's use cases. While blockchain often remained ethereal in its applications, AI presents us with a variety of practical possibilities. Countless apps and tools exist, inviting us to experiment and test the potential of AI.

As an inquisitive educator, this is an exhilarating era to be part of. From generating compelling images to creating engaging slides, from receiving research support to having an AI partner for reflection, I have put AI to the test as an invaluable assistant to my work.

The realm of AI opens up new opportunities for innovative educators like ourselves. This week I have a number of resources that will help expand how you can incorporate AI into your educational design. I hope they help you embrace the transformative power of AI and unlock new dimensions of teaching and learning.

??Educators reflect on the role of AI in learning

?? Outlining how AI can partner with neurodivergent learners

?? A school goes all in on AI in their school

?? Student perspective on how they are really using AI

Perspectives on Generative AI in the Classroom

This piece provides an excellent summary of various viewpoints on the impact of AI on education. Given that we are still in the early stages, it is challenging to envision the complete picture of how this will unfold in our classrooms. When reading these reflections from different stakeholders in the education industry, it is clear that there is a wide range of perspectives.

I feel that we tend to overly focus on two specific concerns: the potential over-reliance on chatbots as writing tools and the perceived reduction in critical thinking skills. My personal experience with chatbots has been quite the opposite. It has actually compelled me to think more deeply and critically about how I develop my prompts. This leads me to believe that greater utilization of AI in our classrooms, rather than less, can prove highly beneficial.

Supporting Neurodivergent Students With ChatGPT

It hadn't crossed my mind that ChatGPT could serve as an invaluable tool to support students with alternative processing needs, but this article in Fast Company outlines its potential. There are a number of different needs that a chatbot like chatGPT can address:

• Students with dyslexia or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can prompt AI to rewrite text in a bulleted format
• Students can prompt DALL-E to create infographics or other images to help them understand information
• Teachers can plan lessons based on specific frameworks customized to diverse student needs

However, while recognizing the immense potential of utilizing chatbots like ChatGPT, it's crucial to engage in open and honest conversations between teachers and students about the expectations and limitations of relying on AI technology. Guiding students to strike a balance between using AI tools and developing critical thinking skills is essential. By nurturing their ability to think independently and encouraging active engagement with the subject matter, educators can ensure that students do not become overly dependent on technology.

The Nation’s First AI High School

This article in EdWeek outlines an approach that is fully committed to AI. Starting in 2019, a district in Atlanta opened a high school that has wholeheartedly embraced AI in its curriculum. They offer not only dedicated courses on AI and related technologies but also integrate AI into subjects such as math, science, language arts, and more.

You can find further insights into this process by reading about the district's director of artificial intelligence and computer science in the article. Here are the main points highlighted:

• AI is omnipresent, so let's educate students about it from now on
• Let's encourage students to delve into the inner workings of chatbots and other AI tools
• It is crucial to teach our children how to use AI ethically and responsibly
• Teachers require an appropriate level of background knowledge without feeling overwhelmed

The district's proactive approach to integrating AI into education is commendable. This forward-thinking approach paves the way for a generation of students who are well-prepared to navigate the increasingly AI-driven world with critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and technological expertise.

ChatGPT from a Student’s Perspective

There has been a lot of discussion among teachers and administrators regarding best practices with ChatGPT, but what about the students? This piece from EdSurge is written from a student's perspective and provides valuable insights into how it is being used.

What struck me when reading this piece is that students are highly self-aware about how to appropriately implement ChatGPT to support their learning. One caveat is that this was written by doctoral students at UCLA, so these perspectives may not represent those of the average student. Nevertheless, the writer was able to identify the chatbot's role as a tutor, grammar checker, and collaborative partner in developing an argument.

This further underscores the importance of engaging in authentic conversations with our students about this technology. The more we communicate openly and genuinely with students about ChatGPT and similar tools, the better prepared we will be to harness their benefits.

Thank you for stopping by for another issue of my web3??education newsletter. You can join almost 400 others and?subscribe to the newsletter on LinkedIn ?or?join the SubStack here . Link to all my work by checking out my?blog .