Chances are — if you are like many of the schools, districts, and organizations I’m working with around the country — you are planning an end-of-the-year workshop that includes Artificial Intelligence as a topic.

This is no longer “new” to anyone because we all know it exists (in and outside education). It is, however, “new” to all of us as an emerging technology that can be used in positive, and negative ways.

End of the year PD is an opportunity to reflect, share, and hopefully get excited for what’s coming next year. Too often, it is none of those things, and more often then not it is not engaging or at least fun!

If you are doing this work, I’ve got five structures for you below that bring the energy, fun and hopefully a ton of learning and excitement. Check them out below!

You’ve probably heard someone say, “Everything needs to change in education! Overhaul the entire system!”

Maybe you’ve heard that sentiment from many people over the years. I know I have. It irks me for many reasons, but maybe the biggest reason is: As a teacher, or school leader, I never had any ability to “overhaul” the system even if I wanted to.

I could make changes, and innovate inside the box. But, changing everything was never an option.

An overwhelming majority of the teachers I’ve worked with want to do what is best for kids. Schools, as institutions are set up with the mission to help students learn, grow, and be prepared for life as an adults. Parents, too, want what is best for their kids.

If there were a big Venn Diagram, the middle would be: We want what is best for kids.

Last week, I had the opportunity to speak at the Learning and the Brain Conference in NY. I’ve been at multiple LATB conferences and they always bring a great and diverse group of educators together from K-12, Higher-Ed, and other institutions.

The hot topic this year was (you guessed it) Artificial Intelligence. In one of my presentations, I brought up a topic of learning in a post-AI world.

When we think about the future of learning we have to include artificial intelligence, in the same way we have to include the internet, computers, etc.

There are two paths that a lot of people are talking about, and we discussed them in depth during my session.

One is going AI-resistant. And the other is AI-compatible.

First, let me say that apathy is a big problem. It is something I'm seeing while working in classrooms with students, something that teachers I'm working with are talking about, and even though apathy has always been an issue...it feels like it may be different right now.

If you are working in schools or at the university level, you’ve been no doubt dealing with it as well. There are countless studies, articles, and editorials on the issues of apathy but not many solutions are in place.

In this article, I go deep into some of the reasons for the rise in apathy, and how we can combat it in the classroom.

In a recent workshop I was leading, a teacher asked a simple but important question: “What should I do if I want to help my students use and navigate ChatGPT, but I can’t because of the age restrictions?”

My answer: “There are way better (and safer) ways to get your started with artificial intelligence then ChatGPT.”

Even if your students are older then 13, there are a few other tools I like to get started with before jumping in to ChatGPT.

For teachers, same thing applies. ChatGPT (especially Plus) is extremely powerful and helpful for many aspects of teaching, creating, etc. Yet, there are a few other tools I would use first, as an easy way to use these tools with purpose.

While the disruptions to the status quo may be what many are talking about in reference to A.I. in education, my biggest hope as a parent and leader is that we can thrive in a world filled with artificial intelligence.

This technology will not only be a part of our experience as learners, it will be a driving force in our lives just as the internet, computers, and television were as they burst onto the scene in their “hinge of history” moment.

As we wrote in Empower, “Our job is not to prepare kids for something, it is to help kids learn to prepare themselves for anything.”

Here are five steps to make this happen in a world of artificial intelligence.

Why are we still giving so many tests?

First, the obvious reason; the state and other entities require us to give standardized tests each year.

Ok, I think we can all agree this is the most pressing reason, and it has a trickle-down effect that we will get into later (i.e. the only way to get kids ready to take these tests is to give more tests). There is also a lot to unpack with just that statement - why state and other entities require us to give tests which - we will not get into in this article, but many others have broken down the political and financial reasons behind this phenomenon.

Second, we have to hold colleges and universities accountable. If they are still requiring tests like the SAT, ACT, and AP tests for admission, then we will inevitably be giving tests "like this" in our K-12 schools.

Third, there is a combination of things that are all interconnected: Convenience, time, and data.

It’s here, and I’m concerned. I could even argue, a bit scared.

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a science-fiction predicted future. It is our reality at this very moment.

Sitting on the hinge of history is a weird place to be, especially when you realize it is truly a technological advancement that will impact us and generations to come.

I’ve written articles about many of the ways Artificial Intelligence can be used for good.

I’ve created videos detailing the tools and strategies to utilize this A.I. tech to engage learners in meaningful and relevant ways.

I’ve built out an entire community of teachers and school leaders who are sharing all of the amazing breakthroughs happening right now in schools around the world because of what A.I. can help us do.

And yet…

When I was growing up the only insight I had to the lifestyles of the rich and famous was an episode of Cribs (we all wanted to see what was in the fridge).

In my neighborhood, I had two friends that were “Rich”. One had a doctor parent and the other a lawyer parent (they had a pool).

So, when teachers and adults, in general, told me that paying attention in school for 7 hours, doing my homework, and following the path of school—college—job was the best course to take for my future…I believed them.

That’s NOT our kids' reality in today's world.

A few months ago, author and speaker George Couros posted an article where he mentions “four questions to consider when using ChatGPT”:

1. What are some of the negatives and positives of ChatGPT?

2. What are some ways that ChatGPT can be used in our everyday lives?

3. How can we use ChatGPT in our current roles to make our lives easier and improve learning?

4. How can we help students utilize ChatGPT for their learning in and outside of school?

This activity can be run by a school leader for a faculty meeting, PLC, department meeting, or even a grade-level meeting (4th, 5th, or 6th).

It can also be run by a teacher with their high school or middle school students to discuss the implications in their classroom.

Check it out below and let me know how it goes!

Let's be honest. Being a teacher and school leader can be overwhelming.

There is so much to do (not enough time), so much to learn (where do we even start), and it all keeps changing. In my last few posts, we dove into some of the real reasons we are struggling in a world of distraction and artificial intelligence.

But, we want to make a difference. That’s why we got into education. We want to be innovative, creative, and make a greater impact.