Enter the Age of AI: 13 Future-Ready Skills for Teachers

Artificial Intelligence (AI) this, AI that. AI is all the rage at the moment. And it should be. There are four types of academic reactions to OpenAI's ChatGPT 3.5:

1. Ban it
2. Embrace it
3. Wait and see
4. Don't care

Are you a teacher looking to stay ahead of the curve in the classroom? With the integration of AI in education, the role of the teacher is evolving, and it's more important than ever to stay up to date with the latest skills and trends.

Yes, we've gone through this before. In the past 20+ years, we've gone through STEM, STEAM, Makerspaces, Flexible Seating, Growth Mindset, Coding, Flip Teaching, PBL, SEL, Design Thinking, Gamification, Sharable Docs, HyperDocs, Video on demand, Blended Learning, Differentiated Instruction, LMS, SIS, iPads, Chromebooks, DEI and most recently, online learning during COVID-19.

I'm sure I'm missing many more. All have their advantages and disadvantages and are powerful tools and strategies we've interwoven into our curriculum. Some I prefer more than others and I've done well with most of them.

But there is one big thing happening that will take all of the above and transform education as we've never seen before.

Enter ChatGPT (Artificial Intelligence).

For those not sure what it is, it is a technology that allows computers, to do things that usually require human intelligence, like understanding language, recognizing patterns, and making decisions. For example, AI can be used to help a computer understand what you're saying, to help a self-driving car navigate the road (e.g. Tesla), or to help a robot complete a task (e.g. Roomba). Some of the AI applications are chatbots (like trying to reach your cable company online), virtual assistants, speech recognition, image recognition, and natural language processing (the most recent big deal: ChatGPT). It's a way for machines to learn and improve over time, just like humans do.

A.I. is different. A.I. will seriously force educators to rethink how we do things. Content, assessing, interaction, and relationships have to be reimagined. I'll let the big schools and experts to create scholarly articles on how to use A.I. in the classrooms.

In the meantime, here is what K12 teachers can do:

13 Essential Skills That Every Teacher Needs to Know To Be Successful in the Age of AI

1. Understand the basics of AI: If you use AI in the classroom, it's important to understand what it is and how it works. For example, you should know the difference between supervised and unsupervised learning, and be familiar with the different types of AI algorithms, such as decision trees, neural networks, and natural language processing. Coursera's AI For Everyone is great start.
2. Data literacy: AI is all about data, so you need to know how to collect, analyze, and interpret it. For example, you should be able to use data visualization tools to make sense of large data sets and be able to use statistical methods to analyze data.
3. Be tech-savvy: From learning management systems to AI-powered educational software, it's important to know how to use digital tools and technologies. For example, you should be able to use a learning management system (LMS) to create and deliver online content and be familiar with AI-powered educational software, such as personalized learning platforms and intelligent tutoring systems. Google Workspaces, Microsoft Office, SIS (Student Information Systems), etc.
4. Curriculum development: We need to know how to design and develop a curriculum that integrates AI and aligns with state and national standards. For example, we should be able to use AI to create interactive and engaging lesson plans and be able to align our curriculum with state and national standards.
5. Personalized instruction: We need to understand how to use AI to create personalized learning experiences for students. For example, we should be able to use AI to create customized lesson plans and be able to use data to track student progress and adjust instruction accordingly.
6. Student engagement: We need to know how to use AI-powered interactive and dynamic learning experiences to keep students engaged and motivated. For example, we should be able to use AI-powered simulations and games and be able to use data to track student engagement and adjust instruction accordingly.
7. Teamwork: You need to know how to work with fellow faculty, administrators, and technology specialists to implement AI in the classroom. For example, you should be able to collaborate with other teachers to develop and deliver AI-powered lesson plans and be able to work with technology specialists to integrate AI into your curriculum.
8. Communication: We need to be able to communicate effectively with students, parents, and other stakeholders about the use of AI in education. For example, you should be able to explain the benefits of AI in education, and your school's digital citizenship policy, and be able to address concerns and questions from students, parents, and other stakeholders.
9. Continuous learning: We need to be committed to ongoing professional development to stay current with the latest AI-related developments in education. For example, you should be able to attend professional development workshops and conferences and be able to stay up-to-date with the latest research and trends in AI in education.
10. Ethical awareness: We need to understand the potential ethical and societal implications of using AI in education and know how to address them. For example, you should be aware of issues such as privacy, bias, and inclusivity, and be able to implement best practices to address these issues.
11. Problem-solving and critical thinking: We need to understand how to use AI to help students develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills. For example, you should be able to use AI-powered simulations and games to help students develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills, and be able to use data to track student progress and adjust instruction accordingly.
12. Creativity and innovation: We need to be open to new ideas and be willing to experiment with different AI-powered teaching methods. For example, you should be willing to try new and innovative AI-powered teaching methods, such as virtual reality and gamification, and be open to feedback and learning from your students and colleagues.
13. Adaptability and flexibility: We need to be adaptable and flexible in order to adjust to the changes brought by AI in education, and be open to new ways of teaching and learning. For example, you should be able to adapt to new technologies and teaching methods as they become available and be able to think outside the box and come up with creative solutions to teaching and learning challenges.

Embrace the future of education with open arms! By mastering these essential skills, you will not only set yourself up for success in the age of AI, but you will also have the power to transform the way you teach and inspire your students. This is our chance to be at the forefront of innovation and make a real difference in the classroom.