Community Colleges Lag Behind Students in AI Adoption

Survey: 98% of Students, 96% of Faculty at HBCUs Adopt AI Tools Why this matters - This high level of usage demonstrates that AI is already deeply embedded in teaching, learning, and daily academic workflows at HBCUs. - It also reveals a gap: while many are using AI tools, institutional support, training, infrastructure, and formal strategies lag behind. Our take I see this as both exciting and cautionary. It’s encouraging that students and faculty are embracing AI so broadly, it could drive innovation, equity, and better learning outcomes. But without strong institutional backing (policies, ethical frameworks, infrastructure), this adoption risks being uneven, risky, or superficial. The critical challenge will be turning grassroots usage into sustainable, responsible, and inclusive transformation. What do you think? How can colleges ensure that AI adoption by students and faculty is matched by adequate support, governance, and equity, rather than just being ad hoc? Laura Ipsen Ed Smith-Lewis Melva K. Wallace, Ph.D. Read More:- https://lnkd.in/gDMjNiau #HBCU #AIinEducation #HigherEd #EdTech #AcademicAI #AIAdoption #ResponsibleAI #businessnews #businessinsights #businessinsightsjournal #BIJ

Artificial intelligence is transforming higher education—and it’s not slowing down. From admissions to classroom engagement, AI offers powerful tools to enhance how we serve students. But with every new innovation comes a responsibility to ask: Is this tool truly helping us, or is it just adding noise? At Charter College, we’re committed to exploring how we can use AI responsibly to improve outcomes and experiences. Ben Unglesbee raises some critical questions in this Higher Ed Dive article -- especially around the human side of AI in college operations: https://lnkd.in/gY2AdNJx #HigherEd #ArtificialIntelligence #Leadership #EdTech #ResponsibleAI #CharterCollege #InnovationInEducation

We’re excited to release our new report in partnership with Ellucian and Huston-Tillotson University, entitled The Shift Ahead: HBCUs, Artificial Intelligence, and a New Vision for Higher Education.    This joint report explores how HBCUs are uniquely positioned to lead in the age of AI — not just adapt to it. Take a look at some of the high-level findings from the report:    • 96% of faculty and 98% of students at HBCUs already use AI tools.    • Fewer than half of institutions have formal AI adoption strategies, revealing a readiness gap.    • When deployed intentionally, AI can expand access, strengthen institutional capacity, and align learning with workforce needs. • HBCUs can model a justice-centered approach to AI for all of higher education. This data affirms that HBCUs are not behind — they’re poised to lead. Read more about how UNCF ICB and its partners are advancing responsible AI adoption across the sector.    Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/eHbBgAyz   #HBCUs #ArtificialIntelligence #HigherEducation #DigitalInnovation #UNCFICB #TheShiftAhead 

New Report Release! Proud to share The Shift Ahead: HBCUs, Artificial Intelligence, and a New Vision for Higher Education — a new report from UNCF, Ellucian, and Huston-Tillotson University - Austin, Texas. The findings are clear: HBCUs aren’t behind in the AI era — they’re actively in it. - 98% of students and 96% of faculty already use AI tools. - Institutions are ready to move from experimentation to strategy. - With the right investment, AI can close gaps in access, learning, and opportunity. This report highlights how HBCUs are modeling a new, values-driven approach to innovation — one rooted in equity, mission, and purpose.

The numbers from this year's US nationwide education survey tell a complex story about AI adoption that every school leader needs to understand. Over 80% of teachers and students used AI tools during the 2024-25 school year, with educators reporting significant improvements in personalized instruction and administrative efficiency. Teachers consistently describe AI as helping them differentiate learning and manage routine tasks more effectively. These are genuine wins that we should celebrate and build upon. But here's the concerning finding that demands immediate attention: half of surveyed students reported feeling less connected to their teachers due to increased AI use. The data reveals that AI implementation is inadvertently weakening the peer-to-peer and student-teacher relationships that form the foundation of effective learning environments. Even more troubling, educators report observing weakened critical thinking skills and decreased genuine research abilities among students who rely heavily on AI assistance. These aren't abstract concerns—they're measurable changes happening in classrooms right now. Schools can take concrete action this week: Establish "AI-free zones" for certain assignments that require independent critical thinking. Create structured peer collaboration time that doesn't involve digital tools. Implement regular one-on-one check-ins between teachers and students to maintain personal connections. Develop clear guidelines about when AI assistance is appropriate versus when students need to work independently. Consider implementing "thinking protocols" where students must document their reasoning process before accessing AI tools. Design collaborative projects that emphasize human creativity and interpersonal skills alongside technological proficiency. The research emphasizes that targeted policies and comprehensive training are essential to maximize AI benefits while preserving the human elements that make education transformative. Human connection and relationship-building must remain central to our educational mission. How are you maintaining strong student-teacher relationships while integrating AI tools? What strategies have worked in your experience? #AIinEducation #SchoolLeadership #K12 #TeacherGrowth #DataPrivacy Source: Rising Use of AI in Schools Comes With Big Downsides for Students — Education Week — October 2025 — Education Week Research Team — Education Week https://lnkd.in/epQUwB3x

A systematic review of 30 recent studies on generative AI in K-12 education reveals both promising trends and significant research gaps that should inform every school's AI strategy. The comprehensive analysis published in Frontiers in Education shows that generative AI is predominantly being used in high school settings and STEM fields, with most research focusing on preservice teacher training rather than direct student outcomes. While enthusiasm for these tools is high across educational settings, the evidence base for their effectiveness remains surprisingly narrow. Here's what the research reveals: most studies used quasi-experimental designs that measured psychological variables like motivation and engagement rather than direct academic achievement. This means we're making implementation decisions based on how students feel about AI rather than concrete evidence of improved learning outcomes. The review emphasizes an urgent need for robust frameworks and longitudinal studies to truly gauge learning outcomes across diverse contexts and student populations. Current research is heavily skewed toward short-term interventions with limited demographic diversity. Schools can address these gaps immediately: Implement systematic data collection protocols to track both engagement and academic outcomes when using AI tools. Create diverse pilot programs that include different grade levels, not just high school. Establish partnerships with local universities to conduct longer-term studies on AI effectiveness in your specific context. Develop clear metrics that go beyond student satisfaction to measure actual learning gains. Document both successes and failures to contribute to the broader evidence base that all schools desperately need. The research calls for theory-driven integration rather than technology-driven adoption—a crucial distinction that should guide every implementation decision. Ethical considerations and equitable access must be embedded in research design from the beginning. What data are you collecting about AI effectiveness in your school? How are you measuring success beyond initial enthusiasm? #AIinEducation #EdTech #K12 #Assessment #SchoolLeadership Source: Systematic review of generative AI in K-12 education — Frontiers in Education — October 2025 — Research Team — Multiple Institutions https://lnkd.in/edGi_b-h

Turnitin and ACUE launch AI training series for educators on ethical AI use, academic integrity, and enhancing student learning outcomes - https://lnkd.in/gGn82iXn "Supporting faculty with actionable resources and a strong community is essential as higher education continues to evolve," adds Andrew Hermalyn, chairman and CEO at ACUE. #Turnitin #ACUE #AcademicIntegrity #AIinEducation #FacultyDevelopment #ResponsibleAI #TechIntelPro

Is K–12 Education Becoming a Two-Tier System? I’m starting to notice something interesting — and concerning — happening across K–12 education in the United States. Our school system is quietly turning into a two-tier system — not based on wealth or geography this time, but on AI adoption. Some school districts are banning AI outright, fearing academic dishonesty, misuse, or loss of control. Others are embracing AI, encouraging teachers and students to integrate it into learning, problem-solving, and creativity. And now, teachers are beginning to choose where to work based on AI policy. • Those who see AI as a tool for innovation, differentiation, and preparing students for the future are drawn to districts that encourage its use. • Those who prefer a more traditional, industrial-style education — one largely unchanged for nearly 200 years — are choosing districts that ban it. It’s a fascinating and pivotal moment. The divide is no longer just about funding or curriculum — it’s about philosophy and readiness for change. Will our education system adapt and innovate with AI, or will it fracture further along these new lines? What are you seeing in your district or state?

Higher education is under growing pressures from: ✅ Rising labor and staffing costs ✅ Increasing student support demands ✅ Expanding expectations for after-hours and on-demand help The challenge? Delivering high-quality learning experiences while keeping budgets sustainable. That’s where AI adoption is proving to be transformative (not just for student engagement, but also for significant cost savings.) Learn more about cost-saving opportunities through AI adoption: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/eJjik_v4 #HigherEducation #AIinEducation #StudentSuccess #EdTech #QuadC #Efficiency #AcademicOperations

The Age of Accelerated Transformation: Rethinking Higher Education's Response to GenAI In this Age of Accelerated Transformation, higher education faces unprecedented challenges in adapting to generative AI. The recent EDUCAUSE Review article, "Beyond Tool or Threat: GenAI and the Challenge It Poses to Higher Education," examines these institutional responses. The article was written by Adam Maksl, Anne Leftwich, Justin Hodgson, and me. The article identifies three critical shifts institutions must make: 1. Transitioning from product-based to process-focused assessment that evaluates how students think rather than just final outputs. 2. Prioritizing "power skills" like critical thinking, creativity, and ethical reasoning that AI cannot replicate, 3. Redefining faculty roles from content transmitters to mentors who guide students through complexity and meaning-making. These developments exemplify the deeper transformations characteristic of our current era, where GenAI challenges long-standing assumptions about pedagogy and forces us to confront fundamental questions about the value proposition of higher education. Our article argues that institutions must act decisively now to remain relevant. What transformative action is your higher education institution taking to reimagine learning in the Age of Accelerated Transformation? Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/g_2MRr8J #AgeOfAcceleratedTransformation #HigherEducation #GenerativeAI #EDUCAUSE #FacultyDevelopment