Learn21's Weekly EdTech Update

August 29, 2024

Empowering Library Media Specialists to Enhance Your School's Digital Hub

Library Media Specialists play a pivotal and invaluable role in a K-12 school. Far beyond their traditional roles as organizers of library material, they curate and manage various media formats, from books to digital content - all while working to instill understanding and media literacy in the next generation.

In under-resourced schools, Library Media Specialists often take on IT responsibilities, bridging educational needs with technological capabilities and serve as asset managers for a variety of resources, including laptops, tablets, and books, just to name a few. Efficient asset management is key to allowing Library Media Specialists time to do their most impactful work with students - enhancing the learning experience.

At Learn21, we partner with schools to deliver technology that simplifies routine tasks, like asset management. Building on ten years of best practices working alongside schools, our Tech Director Toolbox (TDT) delivers a streamlined and familiar interface for deploying, tracking, and maintaining a wide variety of school assets. Built by educators for educators, TDT saves Library Media Specialists time, which allows them to spend more time focusing on supporting larger educational needs. TDT has an intuitive interface and robust reporting system which minimizes the risk of device loss, ensures readiness, and simplifies maintenance.

Learn21 continues to innovate by partnering with Little Miami Local School District, located in southern Warren County, Ohio, to develop a Self-Service Kiosk by coupling TDT with self-service lockers. The combination empowers students to submit incidents and reserve loaners for damaged or forgotten devices - without staff intervention. Then, based on notifications the admin sets, the appropriate staff members are notified when lockers reach capacity, keeping maintenance to a minimum. Once repairs are completed, students can return to the Self-Service Kiosk, retrieve their repaired equipment, and return their loaner for the next student. The Self-Service Kiosk enhances the reputation of Libraries and Media Centers as the digital hub of each school.

As schools increasingly integrate technology, the role of Library Media Specialists continues to grow in importance. Learn21 and TDT continue to support this evolution, providing the tools and resources schools need to ensure that asset management is seamless thus reducing the burden on school staff so they can stay focused on educational outcomes.

The Evolution of AI in Education

There has been the futuristic promise of artificial intelligence since the dawn of computers. I wrote a paper on it in the 80s for high school English and as recently as the summer of 2022 we thought AI was still very far off.

Then in the fall of 2022 OpenAI released the ChatGPT chatbot. We finally had an AI that could produce almost human quality writing after prompting it with a loose set of commands written in plain English.

Since then, other companies have released their own chatbots, such as Claude.ai and Google’s Gemini. At the same time, companies are building specific tools for the classroom that leverage the technologies of these companies. For example, MagicSchool has tools for teachers and students to help them teach and learn.

The Impact of AI on Teaching Today

Today, AI is no longer just a futuristic concept; it’s a daily reality in many classrooms. Teachers are leveraging AI tools to streamline administrative tasks, personalize learning experiences, and provide instant feedback to students. AI can assist in grading assignments, writing emails to parents, or creating differentiated lessons that cater to each student's unique needs. In short, AI is not replacing teachers; it’s empowering them to do their jobs better.

Challenges and Concerns

However, the integration of AI in classrooms is not without its challenges. One of the most pressing issues is the potential for bias in AI algorithms, which can inadvertently reinforce existing inequalities. Researchers from the SAT tested GPT-4o on over 13,000 student essays and found it biased against Asian American students. Privacy concerns also loom large, as the data collected by AI systems could be misused if not properly safeguarded. Once data goes into the system, can it ever be removed? There is also the fear that over-reliance on AI might diminish the human element of creating. These challenges highlight the need for careful consideration and ethical guidelines in the deployment of AI in education.

Effects on Students

AI offers students a range of powerful tools that can significantly enhance their learning experiences, but it also presents potential challenges. On the positive side, AI-powered platforms are revolutionizing personalized learning by adapting to individual students' needs, allowing them to progress at their own pace.

However, the use of AI in education is not without its downsides. One of the biggest concerns is the potential for AI to facilitate academic dishonesty. Additionally, there's the risk of students becoming overly reliant on AI for answers, which can hinder the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

While AI is a powerful research tool, it is not infallible and can sometimes provide incorrect or biased information. If students rely solely on AI without cross-checking facts with reliable sources, they may end up with an incomplete or skewed understanding of the subject matter. Privacy is another significant concern, as using AI often involves sharing personal data, which could lead to exposure of sensitive information if not properly managed.

The Future of AI in Schools

Looking ahead, the future of AI in education is both exciting and uncertain. On one hand, we can expect AI to become even more integrated into the fabric of teaching and learning, with tools that are more intuitive, adaptive, and accessible. On the other hand, the ethical dilemmas and potential drawbacks must be addressed to ensure that AI serves as a force for good. In the end, the success of AI in the classroom will depend on our ability to balance technological innovation with the core values of teaching.

Tips and Tricks

AI Prompts

An AI prompt is a specific instruction or set of instructions given to an artificial intelligence model to generate a response or perform a task. It's essentially the input you provide to guide the AI in producing an output that meets your needs. A good prompt is clear, detailed, and contextual, helping the AI understand exactly what you're asking for, whether it's generating text, answering questions, creating images, or performing other tasks. The quality of the prompt directly influences the relevance and accuracy of the AI's response.

Creating a great prompt for AI is all about clarity, context, and purpose. Here’s a quick guide to help you craft prompts that get the best results:

Be Specific: The more details you provide, the better. Vague prompts lead to vague answers. If you need a lesson plan, mention the grade level, subject, and any specific focus.
Set the Context: Tell the AI who the audience is and what tone to use. Whether it’s a formal letter to parents or a casual classroom activity, context matters.
Ask Clear Questions: Avoid open-ended or overly complex questions. Break down what you need into clear, direct questions.
Give Examples: If possible, include examples of what you’re looking for. It helps the AI understand your expectations.

To help you on your journey, I recommend checking out Control Alt Achieve by Eric Curts. He has several great posts on creating good prompts, along with using AI to create the prompts! Learn21 also has an amazing 11 part video series highlighting the research on AI in Education. I would also recommend creating your prompts in a document or in a note so you have it saved and can re-use it in the future.

Extra Credit

Teachers are facing a new challenge with students using artificial intelligence to cheat on assignments. Traditional methods like Turn It In can detect AI-generated content but are not foolproof and can sometimes falsely accuse students. To counteract this, some teachers are devising ingenious tricks, such as embedding hidden text in assignments to catch AI users. The struggle continues as educators navigate this high-tech cheating landscape.

A recent study has revealed that while AI can help students practice math problems, those who lean on these tools too heavily end up performing worse on exams where AI isn't allowed. It's a bit like relying on training wheels for too long—you might miss out on learning to balance on your own.

As educators, this presents both an opportunity and a challenge. Tools like Khanmigo, Khan Academy's genAI tutor, are being tested across the US, with mixed results. Some teachers find AI to be a helpful "co-teacher," but others are concerned about its tendency to give away answers too easily, sometimes even incorrect ones. This highlights the need for careful integration of AI in the classroom, ensuring that students are still developing the critical thinking skills they need.

New research reveals that a whopping 90% of workers are using their company laptops for personal activities, posing significant cybersecurity risks. Common risky behaviors include accessing adult content, gambling, and even frequenting the dark web. With the shift to hybrid and remote work, the study by ESET emphasizes the need for stronger security measures and employee education to safeguard sensitive information.

🙋‍♂️ Bytes and Insights is co-authored by Eduk8me’s Ryan Collins who writes about education and educational technology. He is also the Director of Technology for Kenton City Schools in Ohio. Sign up for his Of Bits and Bytes newsletter at https://eduk8.me!

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