Tech & Learning: The AI Playbook

As AI has exploded into the education arena, it has brought hundreds of new apps, platforms, and teaching tools with it. Consequently, trying to sort the useful and effective (and COPPA- and FERPA-compliant) ones from the ones less so has become a major challenge.

During the recent Tech & Learning Regional Leadership Summit in Denver, attendees were divided into teams and tasked with creating plans for vetting new AI tools.

For example, Suzan Brandt, Director of Technology at Mountain Brook Schools in Alabama, shared her district’s edtech tool vetting process, which accommodates AI tools. Here is their process:

1. Initiate a request via the 1EdTech app in ClassLink
2. Route MBS Formstack form, linked in the instruction in 1EdTech, to the local school data governance committee
3. After the local school data governance committee complete the “paper” curriculum alignment form, scan and upload it into Formstack
4. Print the packet and add Tech Department review. Create app in ClassLink. Add new app to MBS “apps under review” library
5. Check the packet (Formstack, curriculum form, Tech Department form) and 1EdTech request to ensure information is complete. Add cost information to ClassLink
6. Add app to SDPC then email National Data Privacy Agreement to the vendor and mark the date sent in the A4L portal
7. Add any missing information in 1EdTech and mark “Under Review”
8. District data governance meets each month complete final review
9. Mark results of final review in A2L and 1EdTech
10. Make app active in ClassLink; roster or assign, and move to MBS library
11. Notify requester and local school data governance team.

Another team shared this easy-to-follow flow chart:

Matt Winters, Artificial Intelligence Specialist for the Utah State Board of Education, shared the state’s proposed AI framework for K-12 schools, which includes guiding principles and prohibited uses as well as best practices.

Among the guiding principles:

1. Using AI to help students achieve their educational goals.
2. Reaffirming adherence to existing policies and regulations.
3. Educating all staff and students about AI.
4. Exploring the opportunities of AI and addressing the risks.
5. Using AI to advance academic integrity.
6. Maintaining student and teacher agency when using AI tools.
7. Committing to auditing, monitoring, and evaluating a schools’ use of AI.

As with all policies and frameworks, the Utah guidance–like all current AI practices–will be reviewed annually, or sooner, to ensure it continues to meet school needs and complies with changes in laws, regulations, and technology.

Ultimately, AI tools are like any other edtech tools, and need the same attention to safety, efficacy, and proper use for staff and students alike.