178: Alana Winnick – The Generative Age: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Education

aarmau@gmail.comAugust 8, 2023Uncategorized

In this episode, I finally get the chance to connect and talk with Alana Winnick.

Alana Winnick lives in New York City and currently holds key leadership positions as the Educational Technology Director and Data Protection Officer for Pocantico Hills Central School District in Sleepy Hollow, NY, and the Hudson Valley Director for The New York State Association for Computers and Technologies in Education (NYSCATE), where she blends her degrees, certifications, and experience in Childhood Education, Educational Technology, and Leadership.

Alana is the author of The Generative Age: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Education and host of The Generative Age, a live web show and podcast powered by NYSCATE that explores the rapidly evolving world of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on education. She has been at the forefront of innovation in the industry and has supported both her region and NYS during several disruptive transformations, including the migration to cloud computing, navigating the challenges brought on by the pandemic (including the shift to remote/hybrid learning), and the emergence of generative AI.

Websites: www.AlanaWinnick.com and www.GenerativeAge.com

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Challenges & Goals One of the main challenge lies in overcoming educators’ fear and resistance towards Artificial Intelligence (AI). Her goal is to demonstrate how AI can save time and enhance teaching processes, shifting the focus from end products to assessing learning processes.

Surprising Takeaways While not a surprise per so, but the idea on how many school districts lack clear policies on AI use.

Emerging Patterns

  • The need for education leaders to understand disruptive technologies like AI.
  • The importance of incorporating these technologies into their systems.
  • A shift in assessment methods focusing more on learning processes rather than end products.
  • The necessity for educators to adapt quickly to technological advancements like AI.
  • The continued importance of human connection despite technological advances.

Key Moments

  1. “My main focus lately has been on generative artificial intelligence…the word generative means that the AI is generating content.”
  2. “I think most importantly for me is that they left knowing we support them. Our position is that we support them using it.”
  3. “If you assess a learning process, that’s what you should be assessing. Not the end product…”
  4. “It goes back to the old age-old question… What is the purpose of education?”

Challenges & Goals Keep up with staying updated with new tools and technologies while ensuring alignment with educational goals. Also, how AI can enhance teaching without compromising data privacy or security.

Resources and Further Learning

My favorite moments

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