Classroom Technology Training Programs

If Teachers Don’t Get AI, Our Kids Won’t Either. Full Stop. The “Demystifying AI” study examined five short, free online AI professional-development (PD) courses for K–12 teachers in #Colombia, #Cyprus, #Ghana, #Greece, #Uganda, the #UnitedStates, and #Qatar, created by World Innovation Summit for Education (WISE) with the MIT PKG Center for Social Impact–12 Initiative and MIT RAISE 🎓. PD here means structured learning experiences that help teachers strengthen skills and bring new practices into the classroom 📚. Using randomized course assignment and pre/post surveys, the researchers explored how course design, language, timing, and delivery influence teachers’ AI knowledge, confidence, and ethical awareness, and how scalable, low-cost PD can support responsible, equitable use of generative AI with students 🌍🤖. 1. 🚀 AI PD boosts practical classroom readiness Short, flexible online AI professional-development courses increased teachers’ comfort using generative tools, crafting prompts, and designing classroom activities for students. 2. 🧠 Conceptual gaps persist in core AI ideas Teachers still struggled with core AI ideas like training data, models, and bias, retaining misconceptions even after completing courses online. 3. 🌎 Language, design, and credentials drive engagement Official translations, simple navigation, mobile-friendly design, and recognizable certificates encouraged higher enrollment, sustained engagement, and positive word-of-mouth among participating teachers. 4. 👩💻 Teacher profiles and infrastructure shape support needs Different teacher experience levels and local infrastructure shaped needs; many required basic digital skills support before engaging with AI content. 5. 🤝 Teachers want sustained, social learning ecosystems Participants valued flexibility, bite-sized modules, downloadable resources, and peer interaction, requesting ongoing communities of practice and follow-up opportunities for learning. Policy recommendations: 📘 Build AI PD frameworks co-designed with teachers and researchers. 🎯 Offer tiered PD pathways matching teachers’ readiness, and experience. 🌐 Guarantee multilingual courses with translations and relevant classroom examples. 🏅 Recognize AI PD certifications linked to progression and incentives. 💻 Invest in connectivity, devices, low-bandwidth platforms, offline-accessible materials everywhere. 🔐 Embed modules on data privacy, bias, and responsible AI. 👩🏫 Support hybrid PD combining asynchronous content with live mentoring. 🤝 Fund teacher communities of practice and peer-led learning networks. 📚 Align AI PD content with curricula, standards, and reforms. 📊 Monitor PD impact with surveys, classroom evidence, continuous improvement. Source: https://lnkd.in/enZN-CuM

A New Approach to Teacher Training-The VR “Fishbowl” Simulator Traditional teacher training often feels like a fishbowl—teachers exposed, observed, and critiqued, as every move is scrutinized. Many recall the nerves of teaching their first lesson in an observation classroom, with mentors watching every step. While useful, observation alone is limited; real growth comes from safe practice where educators can take risks, experiment, and learn from mistakes without fear. Imagine recreating this fishbowl in a virtual world. A "Virtual Fishbowl" offers both new and experienced teachers a space to practice classroom management, test strategies, and receive immediate feedback. This VR environment, populated with AI avatars as students, simulates real-life complexities while allowing repeatable, safe practice that builds confidence and skill. Key Benefits of the Virtual Fishbowl Observing Models in Action In virtual classrooms, teachers can witness best practices and diverse instructional models. AI avatars embody different student behaviors, providing a range of scenarios that broaden teachers’ perspectives. Whether mastering questioning techniques or discipline strategies, the virtual fishbowl opens doors to experiential learning. Safe Practice Teachers can experiment with new approaches in a risk-free environment. They can address challenging scenarios—like diffusing disruptions or navigating social-emotional issues—without real-world consequences. With a “reset” option, teachers can retry techniques, boosting confidence and allowing incremental improvement. Personalized Coaching The VR system provides instant, data-driven feedback on teaching practices, such as student engagement, pacing, or questioning techniques. Combined with mentor insights, this feedback fosters a blended coaching model. Teachers adjust their techniques iteratively, aligning with a personalized professional learning cycle that drives continuous growth. Reflection and Revision VR environments allow teachers to record sessions and reflect on their methods. Embedded reflection prompts guide them in assessing their techniques, identifying areas for improvement, and realigning their approach with educational goals. This iterative revision process cultivates growth without the emotional weight of in-person scrutiny. Analyzing Impact and Planning Next Steps Teachers can assess data on student engagement and lesson effectiveness to evaluate the impact of their methods. This evidence-based approach enables informed adjustments, helping educators plan future steps in their professional learning journey. Nearly 44% of new teachers quit within five years. Traditional training often fails to fully prepare them for the classroom’s demands. The Virtual Fishbowl addresses this gap, providing practical, adaptable support that makes teacher training more accessible and sustainable. 

Can a virtual program with real time feedback using natural language processing help teachers create better math lessons? 💻 Yasemin CopurGencturk and Jingxian Li (both of the USC Rossier School of Education) and Sebnem Atabas set out to answer this question with their paper (link in the comments) published in May 2024. 💡 The findings? Researchers created an online program that gives teachers real time feedback using intelligent tutoring systems. In the study, teachers who used the program developed richer math lessons and connected ideas better, helping students understand math concepts more clearly. This shows that smart, interactive training can make a measurable difference in how teachers teach with impacts on student learning. 📄 Full abstract: Scalable and accessible professional development programs have the potential to address the opportunity gap many teachers experience. Yet many asynchronous online programs lack interaction with and timely feedback to teachers. We addressed this problem by developing a virtual, interactive program that uses intelligent tutoring systems to provide just‐in‐time feedback to teachers. We conducted a randomized controlled trial with teachers across the United States in which teachers were assigned to either this program or no additional training. We found that teachers who completed our program (N = 29) used mathematically richer tasks and created a more coherent, connected learning environment for students to build conceptual understandings than did teachers who were in the business‐as‐usual condition (N = 23). ✳ Like the last research paper, this studied natural language processing (and not generative AI). #genaiedimpact

A Complete AI Resource Pack for Teachers and Educators! Over the last few months, I’ve shared a wide range of practical resources to help teachers and educators integrate AI in ways that are ethical, responsible, and actually useful in real classrooms. I’ve explored frameworks like the SAMR model for AI, outlined AI teaching skills, offered practical prompting strategies, shared AI tools and Chrome extensions, and even discussed how to craft a classroom AI policy that centers student learning and transparency. I’ve now compiled most of these resources into a single document, available for FREE. This guide brings together frameworks, checklists, integration strategies, and policy tips that you can use in your own teaching, professional development sessions, workshops, or training programs. Every page is designed to be actionable and immediately relevant for K-12 and higher education. You can download it below and share it with colleagues. #AIinEducation #TeachingWithAI #AIResources #EdTech #ChatGPTforTeachers #EducatorsTechnology #medkharbach #TeacherPD #ProfessionalDevelopment #ClassroomAI #AIEthicsInEducation

Callie Salaymeh, a technology coach and biology teacher at Lyons Township High School District 204, has created a framework to integrate AI guidelines into professional development programs, earning her recognition as an Innovative Leader in Education. Salaymeh’s team crafted a comprehensive AI literacy program to educate teachers about the effective use of AI tools, enabling them to adopt these technologies confidently and responsibly in the classroom. 🤖 Her district’s “stop light” AI guidelines categorize assignments into green (AI permitted), yellow (limited AI use), and red (AI restricted) to help teachers integrate AI appropriately into their curricula. 🚦 By focusing on how AI can streamline administrative tasks and foster a better work-life balance for educators, Salaymeh’s approach highlights the potential for AI to alleviate teacher burnout while enhancing educational outcomes. Salaymeh emphasizes the importance of increasing AI literacy among staff as a foundation for effective use. She also advocates for involving students in discussions about AI use, ensuring their voices are part of shaping policies. Her innovative methods offer a roadmap for schools aiming to introduce AI while prioritizing ethical guidelines and educational impact. Read more in Tech & Learning’s How to Integrate AI Policies Into Professional Development Programs here 👉 https://buff.ly/41J6pGa

I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the role of AI in our schools. There’s been so much debate, a mix of excitement and genuine concern. But today, the conversation shifted. The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) just announced a partnership with Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic to launch a National Academy for AI Instruction. This isn’t just another tech rollout; it’s a $23 million investment to create a space where educators can learn to harness these powerful tools on our own terms. AFT President Randi Weingarten said it best: “The direct connection between a teacher and their kids can never be replaced by new technologies, but if we learn how to harness it… teaching and learning can be enhanced”. That hits the nail on the head, doesn’t it? This initiative isn’t about letting tech lead education. It’s about putting teachers in the driver’s seat to ensure AI is implemented safely, ethically, and in a way that truly benefits our students. The academy will offer free virtual training to all 1.8 million AFT members, with the goal of training 400,000 educators at an in-person facility over the next five years. They’re creating everything from workshops to hands-on training sessions, designed by both AI experts and educators. To me, this feels like a monumental step. It’s a move from a top-down approach to a genuine collaboration. It’s an acknowledgment that for technology to succeed in the classroom, educators must be at the center of the strategy. I’m feeling cautiously optimistic and incredibly curious. This could be the model we’ve been waiting for. Or, is it the thing we all feared the most: tech companies teaching our students instead of us. What are your thoughts on this partnership? What opportunities and challenges do you see? #AIinEducation #FutureOfWork #EdTech #TeacherDevelopment #Leadership #InnovationInEducation

How can AI empower teachers and students in the classroom? In our upcoming episode of Silver Lining for Learning, we explore Everyday AI, a professional development program helping educators bring AI into their teaching. This program goes beyond theory, offering hands-on learning, mentorship, and real-world applications of AI literacy. We are joined by three guests: Wanda Jones, an award-winning computer science educator who has been at the forefront of AI integration in classrooms; Racquel Herring, a robotics and digital literacy teacher with over 25 years of experience, passionate about making STEM accessible to all students; and Kate Moore, a research scientist from MIT STEP Lab, dedicated to studying AI ethics and designing effective AI education for young learners. Their experiences highlight the power of professional learning communities, mentorship, and AI education in shaping the future of teaching. Join us on Episode 225 with Yong Zhao, Chris Dede, Lydia Cao, PhD and Curtis Bonk. Link to blog post in the comments, since LinkedIn seems to deprioritize posts with links in them.