Artificial Intelligence: Friend or Foe?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay. And it’s only going to become more and more prominent in our lives and work. So how do we harness powerful AI tools – and use them for good – to personalize learning, boost engagement, increase productivity, and enhance processes in education? We equip ourselves with knowledge and take AI by the reigns.
The AI for Educators Conference, put on in partnership with TCEA, is designed to bring together professionals and enthusiasts in the field of AI and education to discuss innovative applications, strategies, and best practices for integrating AI into the educational landscape.
This virtual conference will be on Thursday, October 26th from 8:30am to 1:00pm. All sessions are 45 minutes. Tickets will cost $125. Whether or not you are able to to attend, you will have 30-day access to all recorded sessions after the conference.
A Sneak Peak at the Sessions!
Opening Session
8:30 AM – 8:50 AM CST
Join us for an overview of today’s conference as well as a brief time of networking and sharing.
Encouraging Critical Thinking Skills in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM CST
With the rapid advancement of AI technology, it’s more important than ever to consider the impact of AI on education. How can we prepare students for a future that will be shaped by these technologies? Explore the impact of AI on education and gather practical strategies for promoting critical thinking in the classroom. From exploring the ethics of AI to using prompts to spark curiosity and creativity, we will delve into how to prompt AI thinking that inspires students to think deeply and creatively. Get ready to challenge your assumptions and explore new approaches to teaching with AI!
Free (and Freemium) Alternatives to ChatGPT
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM CST
Session Description: ChatGPT is the Coca-Cola of AI, the household name, the brand most people think of when they think about AI chatbots, but there are many alternatives. In just a few months, a host of other chatbots have surfaced that provide different features, benefits, and strengths to rival the Coke of AI. Come learn how bots like Bard, Perplexity, Claude, and even services like Forefront might be a better fit for your needs than ChatGPT.
AI-Powered Leadership: Tools for Productivity and Wellness
9:00 AM – 9:45 AM CST
Are you a school leader feeling bogged down by administrative tasks? This session will show you how AI can help you automate the mundane so you can focus on the humane priorities of your job. AI can help you support overall wellness, build trust, engage parents and community members, conduct personalized professional development, leverage data and more. Join us to discover how AI can propel you towards unprecedented levels of productivity and well-being for yourself and your school community.
Preserving the Teacher’s Touch in Automated Feedback
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM CST
The future of education lies in the harmonious collaboration between human educators and artificial intelligence. In our session, we’ll explore a case study from our pilot with Vox Collegiate, highlighting the profound impact on student writing, especially among historically underserved groups. Join Gautam Thapar and TyAnthony Davis for a deep dive into the potential of AI to support, not replace, the human touch in education.
Using AI to Generate Art – Inspiration and Implications
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM CST
With tools like Stable Diffusion and Midjourney, we are facing an unprecedented boom in art and image generation, many from people with little or no technical art skill. Where is this going? What does this mean for artists? How do these generative AI’s work? What are the ethical, financial, artistic, and cultural implications of this? In this session, we will discuss those issues and give a live demo of the technology. If you are interested in AI generated images, including stock images, photos, and art, then this session is for you.
Beyond Algorithms: Harnessing AI for Human-Centered Education & Leadership
10:00 AM – 10:45 AM CST
Join Micah Miner in this enlightening session as he explores the evolving role of AI in today’s educational landscape. Dive into strategic AI implementation in education with practical guides and frameworks. Delve into use cases from both a leadership and curriculum perspective, all the while maintaining a focus on human-centered education. Discover how this potent tool can not only amplify teaching and learning experiences but also contribute to student and teacher understanding of the technology.
Navigating AI Detectors & Ethical Considerations in Education
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM CST
Join us to take a look at the top AI detectors to find out which ones are the best – if any. We’ll examine AI generated text from different generative models and see which detectors are worth your time and which your students hope you use. We’ll also discuss what to do when no AI detector seems to be very accurate. We’ll finish by talking about the ethics of using AI in the classroom and help you think through what is appropriate for your grade level and content area.
Curipod is the new Nearpod!
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM CST
Get to know Curipod, a new and innovative educational technology platform that is set to revolutionize the way teachers and students interact in the classroom. Compare and contrast the features and benefits of Curipod and Nearpod in order to make an informed decision on which platform to use for your own classroom. Explore and use the various features of Curipod, such as interactive presentations and real-time assessment tools, to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes. You’ll leave knowing how to integrate Curipod into your existing lesson plans and develop new lessons and activities that leverage the unique features and capabilities of the platform to improve student achievement and success.
Navigating the AI Frontier: Critical Questions for Education Leaders
11:00 AM – 11:45 AM CST
Artificial intelligence promises to be a transformative force in education, but also raises challenging questions. In this interactive session tailored for education leaders, we’ll cut through the hype to explore thoughtful and ethical integration of AI tools like chatbots, automatic grading, and personalized learning platforms. What are the risks and rewards? How can we maximize benefits while minimizing harm? Attendees will collaborate to develop a critical framework for evaluating AI in schools. We’ll tackle tough questions around data privacy, accountability, and the role of teachers in an AI-enabled world.
Put Away the Red Pen! Teaching ELAR Using AI
12:00 PM – 12:45 AM CST
Learn how to use AI tools such as ChatGPT to help students become better writers in all classes and to prepare them for the essay portions of state and college standardized testing. Any web-based ICT platform can be used so the training is not specific to one operating system.
ChatGPT (and other AI) can do WHAT?
12:00 PM – 12:45 AM CST
In this session, teachers will learn to use ChatGPT and other AI tools to their full potential. Let’s discuss how to integrate AI tools into lessons and activities, making learning more interactive and engaging, while also fostering critical thinking skills. You’ll leave with resources to help train your staff and students!
Artificial Intelligence in Education: What Do We Need to Know?
12:00 PM – 12:45 AM CST
Learn how AI is being used in education and its implications for the future. We will discuss AI, how it is being used, and its impact. We will also explore resources for teaching about AI, learn about the different types of generative AI and how to leverage these in the classroom with students…and learn about some tools for educators! You’ll walk away with a better understanding of the benefits and ethical considerations of AI for education.