Week 2 – AI in Education

This week’s topic was AI and technology, and the different ways it is regulated, used, and demonstrated in the classroom.

Darcy Mcnee, the SD 63 district leader for curriculum, assessment and educational technology, was the special guest speaker for the week. Some of the key takeaways from her presentation would include the implementation of technology across all grade-level curricula, starting in kindergarten, and how each school, district, and grade differs in their resources and regulations. 

An important main priority of developing curricula with AI integrated is remaining human-centred and focusing on harnessing our human brain power and critical thinking through all work with AI. Schools are slowly responding to the rapid growth of the use of Artificial Intelligence for students, in-and-out of school.

Outside of just the use of AI, there is also the use of general technology in schools. I have a lot of experience around this, specifically as I was previously part of a Digital Immersion school program. The ideas Darcy brought to the forefront with technology includes use of green screens, Minecraft for education, and online classrooms, including a transition to BrightSpace. I, personally, have done so much green screen work and used devices to make films, edit images and build creative-digital projects. 

Personally, I dislike the use of AI, and I do not believe it is important for primary children to learn. I can see myself having difficulty adapting to this new age of technology. I believe it is because I am part of the first generation that grew up with screens in our faces 24/7 that I feel so strongly against it. I understand its impact on my social and emotional development, and I know how addictive AI can be. I am currently only 1-month free of using AI, and I feel the difficulty of thinking for myself, and not relying on AI for every possible question. 

I appreciate the human-centred approaches to AI, but the use of general technology is better for young children. It can teach them digital literacy, educational value in learning true research, and creative-artistic endeavours, including editing, Photoshop, film-making and digital design.  

I will be sure to do a further deep dive into the K-8 curriculum to see exactly how each school, district and province is using AI in the classroom, and how I might try to work with, or against it in my own career.