Teachers Prepare for AI Future

WeTeach_CS provides resources and practical lessons at AI symposium with support from Google.org, NSF IFML, Texas CS Pipeline Initiative

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    WeTeach_CS presented The Impacts of AI Symposium: Essentials for Educators, a one-day training that explored the power and potential of AI in education. Sixty middle and high school educators from across Texas were trained on topics including teachable machine learning, AI in autonomous robots, and creative ways to teach AI to students. Photos by Damian Hopkins, TACC

    As artificial intelligence (AI) transforms industries, it is no surprise that it is shaping classrooms across Texas and the United States. During Computer Science Education Week in December 2024, WeTeach_CS presented The Impacts of AI Symposium: Essentials for Educators, a one-day training that explored the power and potential of AI in education.

    WeTeach_CS educates, empowers, and inspires K-12 CS teachers, administrators, professional development providers, and university instructors to realize the vision of computer science for all. The event was held at the Texas Advanced Computer Center (TACC), which is the umbrella organization for WeTeach_CS and the Expanding Pathways in Computing (EPIC) team.

    Educators use candy to build decision trees to simulate how a computer would go though the different levels of the tree to classify something.

    “AI education is fundamental to the next generation and critical to Texas’ future,” said Shawdee Monroe, Google.org U.S. West Education Outreach Lead. “Students need access to the tools and training necessary to help them both shape the future of this technology and have access to more economic opportunities. We are honored to support organizations like WeTeach_CS, who advocate for expansion of computer science education and teacher professional development across Texas and beyond.”

    Added Greg Durrett of the National Science Foundation-designated Institute for Foundations of Machine Learning (NSF IFML): “We want to reach communities across Texas with knowledge and training on everything from AI to ChatGPT to generative learning. Partnering with WeTeach_CS is a fantastic way to get resources into the hands of teachers and build a self-sustaining ecosystem.” Durrett authored downloadable AI modules used during the symposium, which are freely available to educators across the country.

    This event showcased groundbreaking research and interdisciplinary approaches to education, detailing how teachers can align AI to the latest Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills standards.

    Demand for the event was high. Sixty middle and high school educators from across Texas were trained on topics including teachable machine learning, AI in autonomous robots, and creative ways to teach AI to students—across nine breakout sessions. Attendees also toured TACC’s data center, getting an up-close look at some of the NSF’s fastest academic supercomputers.

    A trio of educators inspect a Frontera node during a tour of TACC's data center.

    “The symposium was an exciting event fueled by teachers’ enthusiasm for the possibilities of artificial intelligence,” said Allen Antoine, EPIC Director of CS Education Strategy. “Thanks to the generous support of Google.org, the IFML, the Texas Advanced Computing Center, and the Texas CS Pipeline, we provided educators a day filled with engaging discussions, valuable learning, and networking opportunities.”

    The symposium began with a plenary session on exploring the potential impacts of AI in K-12 education, highlighting the opportunities and challenges it brings to the classroom.

    Krystal Chatman of the Computer Science Teachers Association led an interactive workshop exploring creative ways to integrate machine learning models into student-focused learning experiences.

    “The workshop took what would appear to be a complex topic and made it simple and straightforward,” Chatman said. “I hope teachers left this symposium with an understanding of just how easy it can be to integrate machine learning in their classrooms.”

    Attendee Jonathan Nicholson of Kingwood Park High School in Humble ISD said: “This symposium taught practical lessons like chatbot assistance and how to identify credible sources that we can take back to our classrooms and show our students that AI is a tool to harness and add to your skillset.”

    Education & Outreach Senior Training Coordinator Edgar Garza teaches a session on how educators can use AI to engage with students on current events.

    According to the 2024 Educator AI Report, teachers are intrigued by the possibilities of AI. Report data points to plans for expanding AI use in assessments and personalized learning tools.

    “Creating a safe and supportive community for educators to learn AI concepts is critical because this is the technology of the future,” said Akins High School teacher Carlos Lopez. “The sooner we as teachers get comfortable with this technology, the sooner we can teach it to our students and stress how it must be used for ethical purposes.”