November 9th 2024.
The Boulder Valley and St. Vrain Valley school districts are taking steps to support their teachers in utilizing the power of AI, all while prioritizing the protection of student data and instilling ethical usage of this rapidly advancing technology. When ChatGPT from Open AI was released in November 2022, both districts chose to not block this new, generative AI technology that quickly gained popularity.
At an "AI pop-up" teacher training event hosted by the Skyline High School feeder system on October 23rd, Bre and Shawn Jaworski facilitated a session on "Prompting". According to Jason Kelsall, St. Vrain Valley's learning systems strategist, the launch of ChatGPT was a turning point that sparked numerous discussions at the leadership level regarding the potential of AI. These conversations mainly revolved around data privacy, teaching students to use AI in an ethical manner, and how teachers could utilize this technology to manage mundane, time-consuming tasks more efficiently.
During a school board work session on AI in June, Boulder Valley Superintendent Rob Anderson emphasized the never-ending demand for time to plan and assess. He stated, "If someone becomes a proficient user of this tool, they will have the gift of time to reinvest in our students." In St. Vrain Valley, teachers have two options for learning this fall: in-person AI "pop-up" sessions and a virtual AI exploration class that allows them to learn at their own pace.
Last school year, the district experimented with the "AI pop-up" format, with professional development and technology staff leading the sessions. This year, however, school leaders and teachers are taking the reins. Kelsall expressed his excitement in seeing the district's leaders and schools tackling this topic, as they come together with other educators to explore how AI can enhance their current practices. He added, "Our goal is to create time for teachers to discover how they can use these tools to elevate their work."
The first "pop-up" session, held at Silver Creek High School in September, kicked off with a panel discussion led by Silver Creek students. They spoke about the advantages and potential risks associated with AI, highlighting its ability to aid in early detection of cancer, faster debugging of code, and generating ideas for school assignments. Senior Kaylee Crouthamel stated, "AI is a tool, just like the internet is a tool. It's difficult to replace human creativity."
In addition to the panel discussion, there were various sessions led by teachers on topics such as using AI to improve design skills, incorporating AI into special education practices, and simplifying tasks with AI. One session was led by Cleveland Smith, a sixth grade language arts teacher at Altona Middle School, with assistance from Silver Creek senior Lizzie Horton. As the student president of the district's YES Ambassador program, Horton shared her experiences as a student with dyslexia and how AI has been beneficial for her and others with learning differences. She also mentioned that some teachers have started requiring handwritten assignments to prevent students from using AI, which can be challenging for those with dyslexia.
Smith encouraged teachers to have meaningful conversations about AI and its impact in the classroom. With the support and resources provided by the districts, teachers have the opportunity to explore and utilize AI to enhance their teaching methods and ultimately benefit their students.
The Boulder Valley and St. Vrain Valley school districts are prioritizing the integration of AI technology into their curriculum, while also ensuring the protection of student data and promoting ethical use of the emerging technology. When Open AI released ChatGPT in November of 2022, both districts saw the potential and chose not to block the new, generative AI tool.
At a recent AI "pop-up" teacher training event hosted by Skyline High School, Bre and Shawn Jaworski led a session on "Prompting". According to Jason Kelsall, the learning systems strategist for St. Vrain Valley, the launch of ChatGPT was a turning point that sparked many discussions among district leaders about the potential of AI. The conversations focused on data privacy, ethical use of AI, and how teachers can leverage the technology to streamline their workload.
During a school board work session in June, Boulder Valley Superintendent Rob Anderson emphasized the value of AI in saving teachers time for lesson planning and assessment, which can then be reinvested in students. Meanwhile, in St. Vrain Valley, the district is offering two options for teacher training this fall. The first is a series of in-person, "pop-up" sessions, and the second is a virtual AI exploration class that allows teachers to learn at their own pace.
Last school year, the district piloted the "pop-up" format for professional development with the help of technology staff. This year, school leaders and teachers are taking the reins to lead the sessions. Kelsall expressed excitement about the progress being made and the opportunity for teachers to collaborate with their peers in exploring the potential of AI to enhance their teaching.
The first session, held at Silver Creek High School in September, featured a panel discussion with students who shared their perspectives on the benefits and risks of AI. They highlighted potential improvements such as early detection of cancer, faster debugging of code, and generating ideas for assignments. Silver Creek senior Kaylee Crouthamel stressed the importance of recognizing AI as a tool, similar to the internet, and not a replacement for human creativity.
Following the panel discussion, teachers led breakout sessions on various topics, including using AI for design skills, incorporating AI into special education practices, and simplifying tasks with AI. One session was led by Cleveland Smith, a sixth grade language arts teacher at Altona Middle School, and Silver Creek senior Lizzie Horton. Horton, who is the student president of the district's YES Ambassador program, shared her experience as a student with dyslexia and how AI has been helpful for her. She also addressed the challenges faced by dyslexic students due to requirements of handwritten assignments, which can be difficult for many students with dyslexia. Smith encouraged teachers to have open conversations about AI and its potential to benefit students.
It is clear that the Boulder Valley and St. Vrain Valley school districts are committed to equipping their teachers with the knowledge and skills to effectively incorporate AI into their teaching. By promoting ethical use and respecting student data privacy, these districts are setting a positive example for other educational institutions. As the use of AI continues to grow, it is crucial for educators to stay informed and embrace the potential of this powerful technology.
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