Technology ushers in the future of education

By Aria Fugler

Though it is a well-known topic that national education is currently in the process of shifting because of new technology and artificial intelligence programs. The impact is also a local one, introducing a new era of learning within Liberty High School as a whole.

Current programs utilized by Liberty include Schoology, Teams and OneNote, Turnitin, GradeCam, EdPuzzle, iXL, Diffit, Microsoft Learning Tools and Copilot for both instruction and learning purposes. 

Most of the programs currently in use have been operating for at least a few years, but new resources (specifically for teachers) have presented themselves, even within the last year.

Significant changes are specifically occurring with artificial intelligence (A.I.). It has been on an upswing of use and development within the last few years- aiding teaching tools and learning mechanisms- yet at the same time it has downsides when not used responsibly.

Social Studies Department Chair, Brian Straub explained, “A.I. has presented some crazy tools- but also concerning to some extent- for us teachers. One that we discovered yesterday… you can actually sit down and talk to historical figures through A.I. So as you are typing and talking to A.I. the mechanism is acting as a historical figure.”

Yet while the understanding of historical figures is strengthened through resources like this, Straub highlighted how it is important to not walk into something possibly misleading or too wide open when using A.I., but use these opportunities safely.

Meanwhile, from the office of the Technology Administration team (I.T.), changes are seen up close with a mission to “support staff and students in their use of educational technology, including devices and digital resources. We support over 2,000 staff and student devices along with the building’s peripherals like printers, projectors, TVs, and copiers,” Lindsey Johnson stated, on behalf of the I.T. team.

The I.T. department largely aids in day-to day tasks such as connection issues, questions and device repairs. Though technology is largely integrated into most schools in Academy District 20 already, the upkeep of devices and networks throughout the district is necessary for the use of technology in education today.

Not only has the staff side of education witnessed changes in instruction, but the use for students is shifting as well.

Connor Caughey, a senior taking part in dual enrollment expresses, “I feel like we’re beginning to take a step in the right direction. However, we are railroading ourselves in some aspects, because in some ways we rely far too heavily on technology, and in other ways, we’re still having people pioneer and barely scratch the surface.”

Though most systems like Schoology and Infinite Campus have been used by students for years, and other systems like District 20 Navigator have been brought in to replace older ones like Naviance.

With new systems, devices and technology, challenges arise. 

Straub conveys that “our school has tried to move towards… responsibly managing our devices, but we’re not going to lock them up in bags right? But we teach them how to responsibly use them.”

Technology has been thoroughly integrated into the education system and responsibly managing it is the goal for all teachers and staff in order to aid students in moving forward with their future learning.

Johnson notes that something to always remember is, “educational technology changes quickly and there are a lot of options for teaching and learning thanks to advances in AI. Users must take the time to investigate the technology they are using and its impact on themselves and others.”