AI @ Shenendehowa - Transformative and Transcending

Integration of AI (Artificial Intelligence)

The Shenendehowa CSD unequivocally avows that all students deserve equity in opportunities and outcomes. Subsequently, the District is keenly focused on providing opportunities to help students meet or exceed challenging learning standards, perform at their best, and reach their full individual academic potential.The strategic instructional goal of the Shenendehowa Central School District is to develop K-12 standards and outcomes, and implement high quality educational programs that are aligned with the District mission and consistent with the established values and beliefs.

What is Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI?

Initial Board of Education presentation for information - January 23, 2024 Study Session.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence, often referred to as AI, is a branch of computer science that focuses on creating machines that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. These tasks can include things like visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation. AI systems are designed to learn from data, recognize patterns, and make decisions with minimal human intervention.

Generative AI

Generative AI is a subset of artificial intelligence that involves creating models capable of generating new content. These models are trained on large datasets and can then produce new content, such as images, music, text, or even videos, that is similar to the data they were trained on. Generative AI is often used in creative applications, such as generating artwork, creating music, or developing new designs.

(*These definitions were generated by a prompt to MagicSchool.AI and reviewed by Shen's AI Ad-hoc Committee.)

The integration of artificial Intelligence (AI) offers numerous benefits for the Shenendehowa Central School District, including, but not limited to: enhancing teaching practices, supporting personalized learning experiences for students, streamlining administrative tasks, and improving overall educational outcomes.

Enhancing Teaching Practices:

Professional Development: Offer training and resources for educators to understand and effectively use AI tools in the classroom.
Invest in AI Tools: Procure AI software and tools that align with the district's educational goals and provide support for teachers and students.

Supporting Personalized Learning:

Data-Driven Decision Making: AI can process large amounts of data to provide insights and trends that help educators make informed decisions to improve teaching methods and student performance.
- AI can analyze student data to tailor lesson plans and activities to individual learning styles and pace, catering to each student's unique needs.
Accessibility and Inclusivity: AI tools can provide support for students by offering personalized learning resources and accommodations, preparing them for success in the digital age and knowledge economy.

Streamlining AdministrativeTasks:

Efficient Administrative Tasks: AI can enhance teacher ability/time to plan lessons, prepare materials, and give student feedback, allowing educators to focus more on teaching and student engagement.
Emerging Technology: School personnel in various capacities can harness the power of emerging technology to create innovative work and learning environments that meet the diverse needs of employees and bolsters productivity

Framework for Implementing Artificial Intelligence @ Shen

Establishment of clear guidelines and protocols for the ethical use of AI in various aspects of the school district, particularly in teaching and learning is vital, ensuring data privacy and security for all stakeholders. Further, continuous evaluation of efforts, regularly assessing the impact of AI integration and adjusting strategies accordingly, is key to optimize its benefits.

AI Policy:

The district has a robust set of policies (and applicable regulations) that aligns with and supports the integration of AI, including but not limited to:

Instructional Technology (link)
The Children’s Internet Protection Act: Internet Safety/Internet Content Filtering Policy (link)
Privacy and Security for Student Data or Teacher or Principal Data (link)
Student Use of Computerized Information Resources (Acceptable Use Policy) (link)
Grading Systems (Academic Integrity) (link).

These policies are written in a manner to be future proof, hence applicable to evolving aspects of Artificial Intelligence.

In recognition of the evolving complexity of AI, a comprehensive policy that more specifically serves as guidelines for AI use is warranted. (NEED TO ADD language and then eventually link to an AI Policy)

AI Framework:

A measured approach is fashioned to ensure appropriate due diligence, interrogation of decisions, and execution with fidelity. The framework used to formulate plans for the various applications or integration of AI, is a circular process, not linear; steps occur simultaneously and are informed by new learning.

Step 1: Study & Research to better understand, before concluding- potentially facilitated through DITIC

Play with AI applications to assess pros and cons
- Create sandboxes existing or emerging AI tools, allowing identified end-users to explore
Engaged in multiple conversations- devise mechanism to capture feedback
- Survey of early adopters- who is doing what related to AI
- Ongoing discussions within academic departments, and at AA and Principals meeting (awareness and ideas for next steps)…
- Sharing relevant research and facilitating discussions, i.e. ”Teaching with AI” and/or ASCD article
- Instructional Technology Coaches engagement with faculty and staff
- Student engagement…feedback from end users on AI, NYS Digital Fluency and Computer Science standards
Use consistent focus questions, assessing understanding and information gaps:
- What is important to understand about AI? Do’s and Don'ts?
- Which tools do we consider now and training needs?
- What privacy and security concerns, what restrictions?

Step 2: Assessment of Key Values Using the Shen Learning Framework

Integrity
Equity
Efficiency
Authenticity

Focus Questions:

Do we need to rethink fundamentally the ways we prepare students who will more logically embrace AI?
Are there skills we no longer need to teach?
In what ways can AI tools get in the way of learning and skill development? Question of authenticity of product creations.
How does AI potentially level the learning landscape? (ex. Access to out-of-school support)
How does AI enhance management task completion, quality and productivity? (ex. Lesson planning, content creation, adaptive test development)
How are safety, privacy or accountability concerns addressed?

Step 3: Interrogate Ethical Dilemmas- It is not a question of “should we allow AI?” but rather “what AI should we embrace and how?”

Alignment with District Vision- Mission-Goals-Essential Objectives
Pedagogy & Practice:
- What is the practice in the classroom?
  - Possibilities for use of AI to support differentiation - translation, simplifying text, generating problem sets, driving critical thinking and problem solving
- What is the professional development to ensure that AI is being used appropriately and effectively? Online Resources?
- With access to this type of source, what we’re asking students to do needs to change (and hopefully will improve!)

Teach students how to use AI ethically (citing sources, thinking critically)- shifting through information of fact or fiction (information literacy)
Academic Integrity: Does the definition of plagiarism in the Grading Systems change?

Step 4- Decision and Communication- lead with the values, accentuating the positives of AI

Transparency of objectives- potential to revolutionize how students learn and teachers teach, skills and competencies
Articulation of stakeholder perspectives- faculty, staff, administrators, BOE,students, parents
Defined benchmarks of progress and mechanisms for continuous feedback.
Allowances for authentic student engagement, to be creative and address inequities

Potential superintendent conference day topic in September 2024

Measures of Effective AI Use:

Student Engagement and Ethical Use: Measure student interest and equitable access to AI through the annual technology survey.
Curriculum Integration and 21st Century Skills: Assess the incorporation of AI concepts that foster creativity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and problem-solving abilities through examining existing curriculum planners.
Teacher Training: Evaluate teacher proficiency in teaching AI topics by analyzing enrollment in professional development opportunities.

AI Vision

Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers numerous benefits for educational institutions. Implementing AI can enhance teaching practices, support personalized learning experiences for students, streamline administrative tasks, and improve overall educational outcomes.

Why Use Artificial Intelligence in Education?

Personalized Learning: AI can analyze student data to tailor lesson plans and activities to individual learning styles and pace, catering to each student's unique needs.
Accessibility and Inclusivity: AI tools can provide support for students by offering personalized learning resources and accommodations.
Efficient Administrative Tasks: AI can enhance teacher ability/time to plan lessons, prepare materials, and give student feedback , allowing educators to focus more on teaching and student engagement.
Data-Driven Decision Making: AI can process large amounts of data to provide insights and trends that help educators make informed decisions to improve teaching methods and student performance.

Implementing Artificial Intelligence @ Shen:

Professional Development: Offer training and resources for educators to understand and effectively use AI tools in the classroom.
Invest in AI Tools: Procure AI software and tools that align with the district's educational goals and provide support for teachers and students.
Ethical Considerations: Establish guidelines and protocols for the ethical use of AI in education, ensuring data privacy and security for all stakeholders.
Continuous Evaluation: Regularly assess the impact of AI integration on student outcomes and adjust strategies accordingly to optimize its benefits.

By incorporating AI, educators can harness the power of technology to create innovative learning environments that meet the diverse needs of students and prepare them for success in the digital age.

Resources & Materials

Student AI use @ Shen
Shen BOE AI Presentation
Google How to write a Prompt (P.A.R.T.S.)
Artificial Intelligence Policy

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

How does NYS Ed Law 2d impact AI at Shen?

Like any software platform at Shen that handles students Personally Identifiable Information (PII) , the District would require a Data Privacy agreement (DPA) that meets NYS ED Law 2d Requirements. We currently have DPAs in place for all software that handles student PII whether or not it has AI components.

What Shen provided tools utilize AI?

As most technology tools are delivered using cloud based platforms, vendors are consistently and regularly developing new capabilities in their products. So this question is and will be a bit of a moving target. The following list are tools that as of May 2024 had some AI components for teacher and/or student use and are contracted by Shenendehowa CSD.

Adobe Express & Creative Cloud
Canva
Formative
Google Workspace
IXL
MagicSchool.ai
WeVideo

How can these tools help to reduce learning gaps and help students with accommodations?

To reduce learning gaps and assist students with accommodations, AI tools potentially can be incredibly beneficial. Here are some ways these tools will eventually support students:

Personalized Learning:

AI tools can create personalized learning paths for students based on their individual needs and learning styles. By providing tailored resources and activities, students can work at their own pace and receive targeted support where they need it most.

Adaptive Assessments:

AI can generate adaptive assessments that adjust difficulty levels based on student responses. This ensures that students are challenged appropriately and helps identify areas where they may need extra help. One of the platforms employed at Shen in this category is IXL.

Data Analysis:

AI tools can analyze data on student performance to identify trends, patterns, and areas of improvement. Educators can use this information to tailor interventions and accommodations to meet the specific needs of each student.

Language Translation:

For students who speak different languages or require language accommodations, AI tools can provide real-time translation services to ensure they can access educational content in their preferred language. Additionally the ability to quickly level text for EL Learners will help lead to mastery of English as an additional language. Google, Magicschool.ai and for that matter almost every A.I. tool provides on demand translation and leveling tools.

Accessibility Features:

AI tools can offer accessibility features such as text-to-speech, speech-to-text, and screen reader capabilities to support students with disabilities or different learning preferences.

By leveraging these AI tools, educators can effectively bridge learning gaps and provide appropriate accommodations to ensure all students have the opportunity to succeed. Remember, if you need more specific tools on the MagicSchool platform to assist with this, feel free to use the search bar within the app for accurate results.

*This response was generated by a prompt to MagicSchool.AI and was reviewed and edited by Shen's AI Ad-hoc Committee

How can you support your students towards fair and ethical use of these tools?

There are lots of resources available online for working with your child on responsible use of AI:

AI4K12: AI4K12 is an initiative aimed at integrating AI education into K-12 curricula. Their website offers resources, curriculum guidelines, and lesson plans for educators interested in teaching AI concepts to students.
Common Sense Media: Artificial intelligence (AI) is predicted to be the largest disruptive change we will experience in our lifetimes—even more significant than the internet. AI has the potential to provide enormous benefit, without the widespread adoption of responsible AI practices, it is equally capable of causing harm.
Google AI Education: Google's AI Education website offers a variety of resources for students and educators interested in learning about AI. It includes lesson plans, tutorials, and interactive activities designed to teach the basics of AI and machine learning.
AI Ethics and Bias Lesson Plans: The AI Education Project provides lesson plans and teaching materials focused on AI ethics and bias. These resources help students understand the ethical implications of AI technologies and how to mitigate bias in AI systems.
Ethical AI Toolkit for Educators: The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University provides an Ethical AI Toolkit for Educators, which includes lesson plans, case studies, and resources for teaching students about the ethical considerations surrounding AI.
Teachable Machine: Teachable Machine by Google is an interactive tool that allows students to create their own machine learning models without any coding experience. It's a great hands-on way to learn about AI and its applications responsibly.
Books and Articles: Incorporate readings and discussions on AI ethics and responsible AI use into your curriculum. Articles from reputable sources like The New York Times, Wired, or MIT Technology Review can spark meaningful conversations about AI ethics.
TeachAI: This toolkit is designed to help education authorities, school leaders, and teachers create thoughtful guidance to help their communities realize the potential benefits of incorporating artificial intelligence (AI) in primary and secondary education while understanding and mitigating the potential risks.
US DOE AI Report: The U.S. Department of Education (Department) is committed to supporting the use of technology to improve teaching and learning and to support innovation throughout educational systems. This report addresses the clear need for sharing knowledge and developing policies for “Artificial Intelligence,” a rapidly advancing class of foundational capabilities which are increasingly embedded in all types of educational technology systems and are also available to the public.

These resources cover a range of topics related to AI ethics and responsible AI use, providing educators with the tools and materials needed to teach students about the ethical considerations surrounding AI technologies.

*This response was generated by a prompt to ChatGPT and was reviewed and edited by Shen's AI Ad-hoc Committee. The response also contains text taken directly from the resources.

What does this look like at different grade levels?

When introducing students to AI, it's essential to scaffold the learning experience based on their grade level. Here's a general outline of how AI use can be scaffolded across different grade levels:

Kindergarten to Grade 2:

Introduce AI through interactive games and activities that focus on simple cause-and-effect relationships.
Use AI tools to engage young students in a playful manner.
Encourage students to ask simple questions and observe how AI responds.

Grades 3 to 5:

Teach students about the basics of AI and how it can be used to assist in various tasks.
Introduce AI tools that support learning in subjects like math, reading, and science.
Encourage students to explore AI applications in daily life and discuss ethical considerations.

Grades 6 to 8:

Dive deeper into the mechanics of AI, including algorithms, data input, and output.
Have students use AI tools for research projects and data analysis.
Discuss the impact of AI on society and ethical dilemmas related to AI technology.

Grades 9 to 12:

Explore advanced AI concepts such as machine learning, neural networks, and natural language processing.
Engage students in coding AI programs and developing their own AI projects.
Encourage critical thinking about the implications of AI on the workforce, privacy, and bias.

Remember, scaffolding AI use across grade levels involves gradually increasing the complexity of tasks and concepts to support students' learning and understanding of artificial intelligence.

*This scaffold was generated by a prompt to MagicSchool.AI and reviewed by Shen's AI Ad-hoc Committee

Scaffolding a prompt for AI is difficult, how are you addressing that?

As part of all of our training for teachers and administrators it includes a component on prompt construction. Although we have changed models for what a well constructed prompt should include, we are now advocating the Google P.A.R.T.S approach.

Our primary tool for student AI use, MagicSchool, is setup in such a way that prompt construction isn't necessary. Prompt construction is a tool that students will learn incrementally as students approach graduation.

If I suspect a student is using AI unethically, what should I do?

Unethical and illegal are two different issues and should be addressed differently. If you feel any individual is illegally using Artificial Intelligence and/or generative AI to commit a crime you should report it to your local authorities.

If you feel someone at Shen is using AI unethically we would encourage you to talk with a building/department administrator and explain your concerns.

What are some examples of classroom policy and communication around these tools?

In May of 2024 the Shenendehowa Communications Coordinator sent a message to all parents (see below) outlining the potential use of AI by their children as part of their school work. Additionally, teachers were asked to complete a lesson plan on AI ethics and responsible use with their students and inform parents of the use of AI in their classroom before utilizing with students.

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We are thrilled to announce the introduction of innovative tools that incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the learning experience of our students. These tools include Magic School AI, Perplexity, Adobe Firefly, and Canva. Please find descriptions of these tools below.

Magic School AI: Magic School AI is a chatbot tool designed to support educators and assist them in various tasks. In the corresponding Magic Student tool, students can access personalized learning resources, receive academic support, and engage in interactive educational activities only under the supervision of a teacher.

Perplexity: Perplexity is an alternative to traditional search engines, where you can directly pose your questions and receive concise, accurate answers backed up by a curated set of sources.

Adobe Firefly: Adobe Firefly utilizes AI to assist students in creating visually engaging and interactive digital content, such as presentations and graphics.

Canva: Canva integrates AI to provide design suggestions, templates, and tools for students to create professional-looking graphics and visual materials.

To ensure the responsible use of AI technology, we have developed an AI lesson for students in the district and provided professional development opportunities for our teachers. It is crucial for us to educate our students and staff on the ethical and safe utilization of AI tools and set up guidelines for them to operate within when utilizing AI. These guidelines include, but are not limited to:

Respecting Data Privacy: Encourage students to prioritize data security and privacy when interacting with AI tools.
Critical Thinking: Teach students to critically evaluate AI-generated content and sources for accuracy and reliability.
Transparency: Emphasize the importance of understanding AI algorithms and being aware of biases in the content generated.
Digital Citizenship: Promote responsible online behavior and ethical use of technology through digital citizenship education.
Guidance Seeking: Encourage students to seek guidance when unsure about the ethical implications of using AI tools.
Empowerment: Empower students to use AI technology for positive purposes, such as enhancing learning and creativity.

As parents, your support in guiding students to use AI ethically and responsibly is invaluable. Engage in conversations with your child about the ethical use of AI, monitor their interactions with these tools, and stay informed about the AI tools being used in education.

Together, we can create a community that values ethical AI usage, promotes digital literacy, and fosters responsible digital citizenship.

Thank you for your partnership in embracing innovation and promoting ethical AI usage in education.

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