THE PREP PERIOD

Quick tips, tools & tricks you can take to the classroom on Monday

5-Week Series on Prompting for Students | This week's tip comes from AI for Education​

Week 5: Break down goals into objectives

Welcome to the final week of this 5-week series on prompting for students!

Three issues ago we discussed teaching students how to create and iterate on SMART goals using AI. This week we’ll be taking student SMART goals and turning them into clear objectives for success.

Borrowing from last week’s SMART goal, the prompt may look something like:

This strategy also includes some follow up ideas such as having the chatbot suggest a pacing guide to achieve each objective within a specific timeframe. Check it out!

SARAH'S PICK

EdWeek

​At U.S. Senate Hearing, a Call for AI That Protects ‘Human Judgment’ in Schools​

A Senate hearing made teacher training the headline this week and I agree with the message but...

There is definitely a professional development gap, more than half of schools still have not offered any training on using AI safely. Teachers are not getting the support they need.

What's critical to reinforce here is that the type of training matters. You can train teachers on a specific tool all day. That does not make it a good tool, and it does not make it a good use of classroom time.

At the hearing, Cynthia Marten, Delaware's secretary of education, made a similar case. She said schools should not take vendor claims at face value, but she also said that the way to find out if a tool works is to let teachers try it with their own students and the curriculum they are teaching... Pardon me, but this is way too late. I'm not willing to gamble with my students precious learning time and I'm willing to bet you aren't either!

What teachers actually need is training on how to evaluate AI tools. Yes they should also learn how to make judgments about them in real time as well but only after the tool has been vetted by them against a rigorous set of standards. Teachers should be part of the conversation about which tools get chosen, and more importantly, part of the conversation about how these tools get built in the first place. Teachers need training on the right questions to ask so that they can gain an understanding of what went into building a tool, and should have a clear framework for deciding whether it is safe, effective, and research based.

The training I want to see more of is the broader work of building AI literacy and AI fluency, and learning how to vet tools for ourselves. In the meantime, I've gathered a few resources so you don't have to wait for your district to catch up! Check out resources from:

• Digital Promise: AI Literacy: A Framework to Understand, Evaluate, and Use Emerging Technology​
• Quill: Ethical AI Hub​
• National Education Association: Vetting AI Resources: A Guide for Educators​

Reply to this email if you'd like more support in learning how to vet AI tools for your school.

LOUNGE READS

The AI headlines that matter for your classroom

A new survey finds students are using AI for homework and emotional support in big numbers, while a separate study confirmed that most teachers still have not received any formal AI training. A Senate hearing puts the question of human judgment in schools front and center.

Brookings

​5 Lessons from Teachers on the Risks of Anthropomorphic AI​

One district shares how they protect students from AI that treats them like a friend or authority figure.

"Underlying the concern around anthropomorphic AI is teachers’ recognition of the importance of trusting relationships. What if AI systems are deployed into schools and begin to significantly undermine trust?"

EdWeek Market Brief

​Survey Shows Kids Are Turning to AI for Homework and Emotional Support in Huge Numbers​

New survey data shows just how often students are bypassing adults in favor of Chatbots. Plus potential cuts to E-rates and Title Funding.

"Common Sense Media, a nonprofit that provides ratings and reviews for families and educators on the safety of media and technology, reported large numbers of schoolchildren it surveyed said they would first ask an AI chatbot for homework help before seeking help from an adult."

Education Week

​At U.S. Senate Hearing, a Call for AI That Protects Human Judgment in Schools​

Senators and education leaders debated how to keep teachers in the driver's seat as AI expands.

"State and school district leaders need to press for guardrails on AI use in schools, while also acknowledging that the technology’s rapid development makes teacher training critical, witnesses at a U.S. Senate hearing said Tuesday."

A NOTE BEFORE YOU GO...

I'm glad you're here! If something resonated this week, hit reply and tell me. If you know a fellow educator who would find this useful, forward it their way. The village grows when educators share with other educators.

Never hesitate to send me an email if you're looking for some human-forward, AI thought partnership!