In an era where Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing various sectors of life(I have to keep using this when I tried writing AI pieces with AI tools and you always get some Morgan Freeman like opener sentence), education is going to have to get ready. Whether you are a huge fan of AI or think it is no big deal, the truth of the matter is that for many it will cause new conversations, situations, and considerations for an oudated education system. Like any adept and quality teacher, AI can personalize learning experiences, increase accessibility, boost efficiency, and spur creativity. Yet, like any complex tool, it poses challenges – ethical, social, and technical – that demand our collective attention. It brings to light many of the issues we have not addressed and tried to ignore.
The question I am thinking about now is how we can collaboratively craft an AI policy for education that is grounded in our shared values, meets our unique needs, and propels us towards our goals, while embracing best practices and standards in the field. So lofty and cheesy for any education blog post, BUT, there are some real areas of consideration that most are not thinking about as tools like Bard, ChatGPT, and Bing continue to improve and textbook companies and all our favorite edtech tools layer themselves in AI. And don’t forget our personal lives and how we are already the products to the algorithms.
The Imperative for an AI Policy in Education
So serious! I just can’t help but use more AI crafted phrases in my writing just to stir the turds. AI is not a neutral entity that exists in a vacuum. It is an intricate tapestry woven from data, algorithms, and human choices(good and bad). In this light, it’s critical to utilize AI responsibly, ethically, and inclusively, honoring human dignity, rights, and diversity. Aligning AI with the ethos and vision of our educational institutions and communities is vital. Yes, lots of lofty ideas here, it makes me barf a bit in my mouth with similarities to mission and vision(only because I have seen the copious amount of hours on these statements, but with little action to support them), but I am telling you we need to consider some of these ideas so you are not blindsided with a big AI slap to the face. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
In this endeavor, an AI policy for education can be our compass, enabling us to:
– Establish a common framework and lexicon for debating AI’s potential and challenges.
– Set clear expectations and boundaries for AI usage by different participants.
– Foster transparency, accountability, and trust in AI’s development and deployment.
– Inspire innovation, experimentation, and collaboration with AI.
– Empower students and educators to be informed, critical users, and creators of AI.
Crafting a Stellar AI Policy for Education: A Step-by-Step Guide
Oh yeah, I am keeping the AI buzzwords like stellar flowing in this post(if you are still reading). Building an AI policy for education is an ongoing, participatory process, not a one-off, top-down decree. Here are some steps to help you ignite conversations and co-construct an effective AI policy with your students, colleagues, and community. Yes, you should include all voices and this might mean taking a step back to educate folks first.
1. Develop a foundational understanding of AI, its workings, and implications for education is your starting point. Here are some resources to deepen your knowledge:
– Explore the AI For Education Curriculum for enriching insights on co-creating an AI policy.
– Explore and get lost in all of the information in the Sentient Syllabus Project, a collaborative effort designed to provide resources for the digital thought era.
– The Office of Educational Technology’s page on AI offers an overview of how AI can enhance teaching and learning.
– Developing Our Shared Compass by John Nash provides a framework for exploring AI’s values and ethics.
– Understand Microsoft’s approach to responsible AI
2. Identify Your Collaborators. Building an AI policy for education calls for the active engagement of stakeholders involved with or interested in AI’s educational use, such as:
- -Students
- Educators
- Administrators
- Parents
- Researchers
- Developers
- Policy makers
- Community members
Use methods like surveys, interviews, focus groups, or stakeholder mapping to identify these crucial contributors.
3. Set Your Boundaries
The scope of your AI policy will depend on your context and objectives. You could aim to create a policy for your institution, department, or even a specific course or assignment. Furthermore, decide whether your policy will encompass all aspects of AI or focus on specific areas, such as data collection, algorithm design, AI deployment, AI education, and governance.
4. Gather Insights
Collecting input from your stakeholders about their perspectives, experiences, and expectations regarding AI in education is paramount. Use a range of techniques like surveys, interviews, workshops, brainstorming sessions, and role-playing games.
5. Analyze and Synthesize
Identify the key themes, issues, and recommendations that emerge from your collected data. You could use techniques like thematic analysis, content analysis, SWOT analysis, or gap analysis.
6. Craft Your Policy
Draft your AI policy, taking into consideration the data analysis and synthesis. You could create a vision statement, mission statement, set of principles, rules, or even define roles and responsibilities. Explore your existing tech policies to determine if more needs to added.
Embarking on this path of co-creating an AI policy for education is akin to setting out on a journey of discovery, collaboration, and reflection. With every step, we ensure a more responsible and enriching use of AI in education. Together, let’s illuminate this path and construct a future where AI amplifies the art of teaching and the joy of learning.
With anything this work is not linear. There will be times of research, review, and educating/empowering those involved. At the end of the day this less about getting it right from the start, but more on developing an agile mindset to be a lifelong learner as this field continues to grow and change life in all facets of living. Finally, here are final key considerations as you start this journey.
Key Considerations
Defining Goals
– Clearly articulate the objectives for implementing generative AI. Potential goals might include improving student learning outcomes, providing personalized instruction, automating routine tasks, or creating adaptive educational materials.
Ethical Guidelines
– Develop comprehensive ethical guidelines for AI use in the school. These should address potential risks, such as bias, plagiarism, and misuse of AI. What safeguards will be put in place to ensure responsible AI use? How will the school prevent and respond to ethical issues?
Infrastructure and Technical Requirements
– Evaluate and prepare the technical infrastructure needed to support generative AI applications. Consider hardware and software needs, network security, and students’ access to the necessary resources.
Teacher and Student Training
– Plan for the professional development and student education needed for effective AI use. Consider the technical skills required, the ethical implications of AI, and how to integrate AI into existing curriculum and teaching practices.
Broader Educational Implications
– Consider the larger educational implications of using generative AI. This might include changes in the role of teachers, shifts in learning styles, and alterations to the wider educational landscape.
Bonus Questions(in case you don’t have enough to think about)
Reflect on the following questions to ensure a comprehensive policy:
– How will generative AI be used to personalize instruction?
– How will generative AI be used to create personalized educational materials?
– How will generative AI be used to provide feedback to students?
– How will generative AI be used to assess student learning?
– How will generative AI be used to prevent plagiarism?
– How will generative AI be used to ensure the security of student data?
Citations
https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2023/07/how-enact-ai-policy-your-k-12-schools
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/balancing-innovation-ethics-guide-using-generative-ai-sandeep-poloju
https://teaching.ucla.edu/resources/ai_guidance/
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