Welcome to Season 4, Episode 18 of "Future Pathways: Superintendents Unplugged" The discussion on this episode of "Future Pathways Superintendents Unplugged" focused on the integration of AI in education - a topic both timely and necessary. Dr. Ben Churchill, Superintendent of Poway Unified School District, joined by Amy Fousek with Poway Unified, and F3 Law's Gretchen Shipley highlighted the spectrum of reactions to AI, from enthusiasts to those concerned about long-term impacts. Amy Fousek emphasized the importance of AI literacy and digital citizenship, noting their partnership with Common Sense Media. Gretchen Shipley stressed the need for data privacy protocols and human oversight. The panel agreed on the importance of a human-centered approach, ethical use, and engaging all stakeholders in the conversation about AI in education. Guest Introductions and Backgrounds Drew introduces Dr. Ben Churchill, the Superintendent of Poway Unified, Amy Fousek, Director of Educational Technology for Poway Unified, who shares her early interest in education and her journey from the classroom to the district office.Amy discusses her 15 years of experience in the classroom and her transition to educational technology, focusing on leveraging technology to enhance student learning.Gretchen Shipley, Managing Partner of F3 Law, shares her background in education law, inspired by a student protest she led in high school.Gretchen explains her transition from wanting to be a teacher to becoming an education lawyer, highlighting her 25 years of experience in the field.AI in Education: Initial Involvement and Reactions Ben Churchill discusses his initial exposure to large language models (LLMs) about three years ago while still at Carlsbad, noting the rapid evolution of AI in education.Ben describes the spectrum of reactions to AI in schools, from enthusiasts who see potential in learning, productivity, and collaboration to those concerned about long-term impacts on learning and brain development.Ben emphasizes the need for school districts to bridge the divide by being intentional and thoughtful in their use of AI, listening to both sides of the argument, and fostering critical thinking and discourse.Amy highlights the importance of professional learning and partnership with parents to ensure students have the foundational knowledge and critical thinking skills to evaluate AI outputs.AI Literacy and Standards in Education Drew asks about the development of standards for AI literacy in education, and Amy explains their partnership with Common Sense Media and other companies to provide AI lessons for teachers.Amy mentions their goal of expanding AI literacy lessons across the district and meeting with teachers to identify foundational skills necessary for students to use AI safely, ethically, and responsibly.Drew introduces the concept of AI literacy standards and asks if they are being developed by districts, with Amy confirming their efforts to integrate AI literacy into existing digital citizenship lessons.Ben discusses the importance of having a policy in place to govern the use of AI in schools, emphasizing the need for clear expectations and training for staff and students.Legal and Policy Considerations for AI in Schools Gretchen Shipley discusses the legal aspects of integrating AI in schools, comparing it to the early adoption of social media and the need for strategic and intentional integration.Gretchen highlights the importance of student data privacy and the need for school districts to have policies and protocols in place to ensure compliance with data privacy agreements.Gretchen emphasizes the need for staff training on vetting free AI platforms and ensuring they meet safety parameters, especially for generative AI like ChatGPT.Ben shares his experience of presenting at the ninth annual CFF College Career Pathways Summit, where he discussed the importance of having a governing board policy on AI to guide the organization's use of AI tools.Human-Centered Approach to AI in Education Amy stresses the importance of a human-centered approach to AI, ensuring that AI tools are seen as assistants and that students have the skills to deeply analyze AI outputs.Drew and Ben discuss the importance of human interaction and the need for students to develop critical thinking, communication, and creativity skills.Ben reflects on the challenges of teaching in the modern era, where teachers are responsible for both content and social-emotional development, and the potential of AI to help save teachers' time on rote tasks.Drew shares a personal story about his favorite teacher, Mrs. Dukey, and asks the other guests to share their favorite teachers, highlighting the impact of great teachers on students' lives.Final Thoughts and Takeaways Gretchen emphasizes the importance of integrating AI safely and responsibly, citing a US executive order that highlights AI's critical role in K-12 education.Ben advises bringing as many people into the conversation about AI, including parents, staff, and students, to ensure a broad understanding and engagement.Amy highlights the need for common language and ethical and digital safeguards as schools evolve with AI.Drew concludes the session by encouraging listeners to reach out to the guests for further discussions and resources on AI in education, emphasizing the importance of ongoing conversations and collaboration. Thank you for unplugging and listening to Future Pathways: Superintendents Unplugged. Be sure to subscribe to the show and share with your colleagues! The Presenting Sponsor for Season 4 of Future Pathways: Superintendents Unplugged is Schools First Federal Credit Union, the largest credit union in California serving school employees and their families since 1934. Please learn more about Schools First Federal Credit Union by visiting https://www.schoolsfirstfcu.org/ About Cloudcast Media "Future Pathways: Superintendents Unplugged" is part of Cloudcast Media's line-up of powerful local podcasts, telling the stories, highlighting the people, and celebrating the gravitational power of local. For more information on Cloudcast and its shows and cities served, please visit www.cloudcastmedia.us. Cloudcast Media | the national leader in local podcasting. Listen Where You Live.
