From Curiosity to Confidence: Building AI Literacy Together

September 23, 2025September 30, 2025Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth Leave a comment

In collaboration with Kira

“Where are you with AI today—curious, testing, using weekly, or all in?”

That’s how we opened our recent panel on AI literacy for educators. Whether you feel energized, overwhelmed, or skeptical, you’re not alone, and that’s exactly why having conversations around AI and how to bring it into our schools matters.

Why AI Literacy, Why Now?

I enjoyed the opportunity to serve as the panelist for this great discussion about AI Literacy. We had so much engagement from attendees from more than 25 countries around the world!

The panelists engaged in rich discussion and offered insight into our role as educators and how we can help our students and ourselves better understand: What do we need to be doing when AI-powered tools surround us?” How does learning change?

Literacy isn’t about knowing how to navigate AI platforms, but rather it is about habits of mind. Asking better questions, evaluating outputs, knowing how to evaluate sources, understanding the limitations of AI, and aligning use with learning goals, ethics, and policy. AI is something that we need to consider and how it is involved in our planning, teaching, assessment, and reflection. And being able to determine whether something is real or not, something that I thought more about after reading the book Futureproof, by Kevin Roos, two years ago. Shifting from digital literacy to discernment is key.

The Skepticism Is Real (and Reasonable)

We started our discussion with what we called initial skepticism. Many teachers are hesitant to introduce AI into their classrooms, schools, or even their own workflows. As Jeff Bradbury put it:

“There are educators out there trying to figure this out, but they are not yet sure how to do it. There are educators out there who are scared. And then you have educators on the other side of the innovation curve… How do you work with all of those at the same time?”

He continued: “That question hits home. In every district I visit, I meet the AI All-Ins, the Cautious Curious, and the Not-Now crowd. Suppose this is your staff, good, because having discussions with educators who have these different viewpoints is key. It means you have internal mentors and internal skeptics—the two groups you need most to build something responsible and resilient, especially when the topic is AI”.

Some ideas shared: Start with a common language or practices. Define “AI literacy” and what that means. Identify how to best use AI (lesson planning, differentiation, feedback drafting) and some ways where you want to avoid the use of AI or be more cautious (grading without verification, sensitive data, replacing teacher judgment). Establishing clear guardrails reduces anxiety and helps to ensure that AI implementation in our schools is consistent and purposeful.

The “Aha” That Changes Everything: Specificity

Jeff told a story about a colleague—a music teacher—who tried AI “seven or eight different ways” to create a budget and concluded, “I hate this thing.” The pivot came with one question: “Were you specific?” Did he tell the AI it was for a middle school music program? The approximate budget? The categories? The constraints?

“You didn’t fail eight ways,” Jeff said. “You found eight ways the system didn’t have enough to listen to you.”

The quality of your prompt is not about clever “hacks”—it’s about context, criteria, and constraints.

Prompting is a pedagogy: We are modeling for students how to ask precise questions, set criteria, and iterate. That is AI literacy.

Meet Teachers Where They Are

Rick Gaston and Courtney Morgan from Kira emphasized a simple, human truth: people learn faster when they feel safe and seen.

“We like to meet teachers where they’re at to help them begin with AI,” Rick said. “Start with lesson content they’re comfortable with and have them experience how quickly AI can provide new ideas in that content area.”

“We believe in learning by doing,” Courtney added. “We facilitate that process so teachers can experience that our AI tools can be their teaching buddies.”

I love that phrase: teaching buddies. Not a shortcut. An assistant or collaborator who drafts, riffs, and reframes so that educators can focus on the human aspects of teaching, such as relationships, feedback, and instructional decision-making.

Time: The Gift Teachers Actually Feel

Jeff’s coaching mantra resonated with the chat: “What is the one thing I can give you that no one else can? Time.” When AI saves a teacher 30 minutes tonight, their stance moves from skeptical to curious. When it saves them three hours before conferences, they become advocates.

Concrete time-savers that build trust:

Parent emails: Draft a positive progress update with two examples of growth and one specific next step—translated into Spanish and English.
Rubric remix: Convert a long analytic rubric into a student-friendly checklist; add “I can” statements.
Formative checks: Generate two exit tickets (one multiple-choice, one open-ended) targeting the same standard; include an answer key/rubric slice.

When teachers see the time they can save and then shift to students or colleague interactions, they’re more willing to explore deeper integrations of AI into their practice.

Additional insights from participants (courtesy of Kira)

About Kira

Kira is an AI-powered teaching & learning platform built to save teachers time, personalize instruction, and keep teachers in control. During the panel discussion, attendees had the chance to learn more about the platform and the AI Tutor. “This is just a quick preview of the Kira platform,” said Courtney, “and why we keep mentioning the built-in AI Tutor we’re really proud of.”

At its core, the AI Tutor is designed to coach, rather than simply provide answers. Students can highlight any passage and ask a question, or simply discuss it directly with the tutor. “You’re going to see me try to make it solve the problem for me,” Courtney joked, “but it won’t. Instead, it walks you through highly scaffolded steps.” That means support questions, targeted hints, and extra practice. The Tutor will work at nudging learners toward the how and why, not just the what. You can adjust the support level and reading level per student. It never gives direct answers and provides context-aware, course-specific feedback.

The AI Tutor is subject-agnostic and works across K–12 courses, math included. It’s available to both teachers and students, and it’s been a game-changer for first-time teachers who lean on it to deepen their own understanding while teaching. The message is clear: AI as a teaching buddy, not a replacement.

Differentiation is built in. Teachers can adjust the tutor’s level of support if students are over-relying on it, or increase it for learners who need more targeted assistance, including those with IEPs or language-learning needs. The goal is precision teaching: the right help, to the right student, at the right moment.

Getting started is easy. Kira offers ready-to-use courses, including AI Demystified for students, answering the big questions, “What is AI? What is it doing? How do I use it responsibly?”—and AI 101 for Educators, which builds teacher AI literacy. Looking to be part of a learning community?

Join the upcoming AI 101 for Educators cohort starting in October. Learn more and express your interest here! It is a short, self-paced PD (about 2 hours) for any subject area that builds confidence using AI in real classrooms.

It will cover:

What is AI, and what AI tools are helpful for educators?

How can I teach my students to use AI responsibly?

How can I use AI tools to enhance my students’ critical thinking?

How can I reduce risks and maximize the benefits of using AI in the classroom?

Once you fill out the form, the team at Kira will follow up with more details.

Learn more about their AI 101 PD cohort here.

About Rachelle

Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth is a Spanish and STEAM: What’s Next in Emerging Technology Teacher at Riverview High School in Oakmont, PA. Rachelle is also an attorney with a Juris Doctor degree from Duquesne University School of Law and a Master’s in Instructional Technology. Rachelle received her Doctorate in Instructional Technology, and her research focus was on AI and Professional Development. In addition to teaching, she is a full-time consultant and works with companies and organizations to provide PD, speaking, and consulting services. Contact Rachelle for your event!

Rachelle is an ISTE-certified educator and community leader who served as president of the ISTE Teacher Education Network. By EdTech Digest, she was named the EdTech Trendsetter of 2024, one of 30 K-12 IT Influencers to follow in 2021, and one of 150 Women Global EdTech Thought Leaders in 2022.

She is the author of ten books, including ‘What The Tech? An Educator’s Guide to AI, AR/VR, the Metaverse and More” and ‘How To Teach AI’. In addition, other books include, “In Other Words: Quotes That Push Our Thinking,” “Unconventional Ways to Thrive in EDU,” “The Future is Now: Looking Back to Move Ahead,” “Chart A New Course: A Guide to Teaching Essential Skills for Tomorrow’s World, “True Story: Lessons That One Kid Taught Us,” “Things I Wish […] Knew” and her newest “How To Teach AI” is available from ISTE or on Amazon.

Contact Rachelle to schedule sessions about Artificial Intelligence, AI and the Law, Coding, AR/VR, and more for your school or event! Submit the Contact Form.

Follow Rachelle on Bluesky, Instagram, and X at @Rdene915

**Interested in writing a guest blog for my site? Would love to share your ideas! Submit your post here. Looking for a new book to read? Find these available at bit.ly/Pothbooks

************ Also, check out my THRIVEinEDU Podcast Here!

Join my show on THRIVEinEDU on Facebook. Join the group here.

Acceleration Academies are Serving the Students Society Wrote off

September 2, 2025August 20, 2025Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth Leave a comment

A guest post by Kelli Campbell

I grew up in a small town in rural Illinois. Neither of my parents has a high school diploma, so I am a first-generation high school graduate. Having that diploma opened a world of possibilities to me that would otherwise have been closed, including going on to earn a college degree, which then led to a terrific career and becoming the CEO of Acceleration Academies.

It was my high school diploma that put me on that path to giving back through a career dedicated to improving education. I began decades ago working on products that brought online educational video into the classroom. Now, I have the privilege of helping young people who, like me, face and overcome barriers impeding their education.

I love telling the story about growing up in rural Illinois to graduation candidates attending our Acceleration Academies. Because I want every young person to know they have a path open to them achieving their own dreams, I say to them, “I am a first-generation high school graduate, and now I’m a CEO. You can be anything you want to be!”

Reconnecting Students Who Have Been Pushed Out

At Acceleration Academies (AA), we focus on students who are disengaged. Usually, that means they have dropped out, but we find that more often than not, these students feel like they were pushed out by a traditional approach to schooling that wasn’t supporting their needs. They may have to work full-time to support their families, or they may already have a little one of their own. They may struggle with mental health, such as paralyzing anxiety about attending a school with 1,000 other students. Some students drop out because of bullying or fall behind because of food insecurity. There are so many challenges students can face that have nothing to do with their ability or drive. Instead, it is a school environment that doesn’t work with the circumstances of their lives.

We partner with local school districts to overcome that barrier by providing an alternative school environment where students get all kinds of support, no matter the challenges they face. They get a second chance at a high school diploma with no cost to them. The districts benefit by graduating more students and recovering the funding they lost when students disenrolled.

‘Content Coaches’ and ‘Graduation Candidates’

Creating a different environment is so central to our model that it even filters into the language we use. Our students are called “graduation candidates” to remind them that they are there to complete a goal – a goal, we tell them, that they are 100 percent capable of reaching. Our teachers are called “content coaches” because they help students work through their classes and assignments. We even have staff who will call students who have trouble waking up to their alarm to make sure they get out the door. Our staff will even help them find a job with an employer who will accommodate their school schedule and prioritize their education.

A Different Environment

All of this, our entire model, is about removing barriers and adding in support to help students overcome obstacles. That includes the setting. Our schools offer a cafe-style environment with wide open spaces, varied seating and working areas, several small rooms for meetings, and enclosed workspaces for students who prefer a more private setting.

Students take one class at a time, generally taking about three to four weeks per class, so their content coaches can guide them one subject at a time. We offer a hybrid format that allows them to learn in-person and online. There’s flexible scheduling for everyone so students who have obligations during traditional school hours can come in during the evenings or on weekends. Pacing is up to the student, guided and encouraged by coaches.

We also operate on a 12-month schedule, rather than the traditional nine-month academic calendar. Many of our students are behind grade level, and they need extra months to get back on track. We’ve also found that students lose connection with school during longer breaks and are less likely to continue with their education when they haven’t attended for even a couple of weeks.

A Win-Win-Win for Everyone

Each AA site is a program of choice within the partner district, which makes it a win-win-win. The district recovers funding when students re-enroll and their graduation rate improves as we matriculate students. Young people get back on track to earn a diploma and all the educational and career opportunities that come with it. Their immediate family and even their communities benefit from the increased economic potential each graduate earns as well.

It’s a win for students who have a variety of reasons for needing something different. For example, those who are mostly on the right track, but get into a little trouble, can continue working at their district’s AA site and then either return to their traditional school or continue with us. It is as much a win for the students who are struggling academically or socially as it is for those who want (or need) to graduate faster. See several inspiring student stories here.

A Gwinnett County Public Schools student told me her story recently. She had been depressed, unable to get out of bed and attend school because she felt afraid, almost paralyzed at school. She enrolled at Acceleration Academies after about three months at her parents’ urging. For the first six weeks, she told me she would come to school and go straight to one of the low-stimulus rooms we offer and wouldn’t talk to anyone. Little by little, she began to feel safe.

A few months later, this student walked with me – who was once, to her, a scary adult – around her school. Now, she is confident and sure of her surroundings. She is able to communicate, to advocate for herself, to tell a painful story about a hard time in her life to a stranger. This young woman is still a graduation candidate in our school, and I hope she earns her diploma. Even if she doesn’t, I’m proud to be a part of an organization that helped her find her confidence and reconnect with her goals and her community.

At every graduation I attend, someone will approach me, maybe a teacher, a caregiver, or a graduate, to tell me their personal story and thank me for Acceleration Academies. Every time, when I ask who wants to stay in school, every one of those students who had been labeled as a dropout raises their hands. It really is such meaningful work we are able to do here, and the only reason I am able to do it is because years ago I overcame my own barriers to earn a diploma. I want every graduation candidate to have the same opportunity to improve their communities, and that means removing every barrier we find with student-centered support.

About Kelli

Kelli Campbell is a first-generation high school graduate and a first-generation college graduate. She is the CEO of Acceleration Academies.

About Rachelle

Contact Rachelle to schedule sessions about Artificial Intelligence, Coding, AR/VR, and more for your school or event! Submit the Contact Form.

Follow Rachelle on Bluesky, Instagram, and X at @Rdene915

**Interested in writing a guest blog for my site? Would love to share your ideas! Submit your post here. Looking for a new book to read? Find these available at bit.ly/Pothbooks

************ Also, check out my THRIVEinEDU Podcast Here!

Join my show on THRIVEinEDU on Facebook. Join the group here.

AI Isn’t Replacing Teachers — It’s Helping Us Teach Better

August 26, 2025August 20, 2025Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth Leave a comment

Guest blog post by Matthew Mawn,@matthew_mawn

If you’ve ever heard the phrase “AI is coming for your job,” you’re not alone. That may be true in some professions. But when I hear it applied to education, I think back to 2020–2021, when the world learned from kitchen tables and bedroom desks. We all saw, in real time, how irreplaceable teachers are, and the immense value they bring to millions of students every day.

Will AI replace teachers? Not from what I can see. Will it help them reach more students and raise achievement for all learners while saving them time on the backend? Absolutely.

Time Saved is Time Invested in Students

What do teachers want? MORE TIME! When do they want it? NOW!

Ask any teacher what they wish they had more of (besides a higher salary), and the answer is almost always the same: time. Time to prepare lessons, to modify materials for all learners, to provide meaningful feedback, to take a full 30-minute lunch break, and actually enjoy it.

U.S. teachers work an average of 53 hours per week, far beyond their contracted hours. Much of that time is consumed by planning, grading, paperwork, and administrative tasks, exactly the kind of work that pulls teachers away from direct interaction with students. It’s such a recognized problem that the New Jersey Department of Education created a grant program called Expanding Innovations in Teacher Climate and Culture, with the sole goal of finding ways to reduce these burdens.

The world of AI is evolving daily, with new tools designed to take these repetitive tasks off teachers’ plates. AI can generate draft lesson plans, create differentiated practice questions in seconds, summarize student performance data into actionable insights, and even draft parent emails. Teachers who use AI at least once a week report saving an average of 5.9 hours each week, adding up to the equivalent of six full weeks over a standard 37.4-week school year.

Take the math teacher who went from spending 90 minutes a week creating Do Now and Closure Google Forms for her three different preps to crafting them in under 10 minutes, letting the AI do the heavy lifting while she simply reviewed, edited, and published. This saved time not only allowed her to do more with less, it also helped alleviate the burnout that comes from teaching multiple preps day in and day out, all while trying to differentiate and create high-quality materials for every learner. AI gives teachers more time both in and outside the classroom, helping restore the work–life balance that’s so hard to maintain during the school year and providing the breathing room they need to give their all to their students.

Turning Time Saved Into Better Learning

AI can save teachers time, but what can that time be used for (besides taking a breath)? For most of us, it means redirecting energy into the parts of teaching that made us want to pursue this profession in the first place: connecting with our students and helping them grow academically.

Differentiation

Every classroom has students with different readiness levels, language needs, and learning preferences. AI tools like Diffit or MagicSchool can instantly create multiple versions of a passage or assignment, differentiated by grade level, complexity, or language. This allows every student to engage with the same core concept, moving together as one cohesive class. Instead of spending an evening retyping and rephrasing, teachers can review and tweak AI drafts in minutes, ready for the next lesson.

Feedback

Timely, specific feedback drives learning but can easily consume hours of a teacher’s time. AI tools such as FeedbackFruits or Rooted Learning can summarize student work or auto-grade Google Forms and release feedback instantly. Teachers can then refine and personalize those comments, giving students actionable guidance while avoiding burnout.

Relationship Building

Extra time also means more one-on-one moments with students and far fewer late nights creating instructional materials for the next day. Will this also mean less coffee consumption? That’s up for debate.

AI isn’t just saving time, it’s giving teachers the capacity to teach better, connect more deeply, and respond to students’ needs in ways that matter most.

Guardrails for Responsible AI Use

AI is making headlines in every industry, but it’s important to remember that not every tool is created equal, and not every use is risk-free. When evaluating AI tools, pay close attention to your students’ data privacy. Many of these tools request student names, work samples, or other information that could violate FERPA or district policies. Always review the privacy policy before moving forward with a tool.

Accuracy is another factor. AI can and does make mistakes, so it’s essential to review the work before sharing it with students. AI is a great starting point, but the final product always needs a teacher’s eyes.

AI is here to stay, and it has the ability to remove time drains, expand access to differentiated materials, and give teachers the time they need to get back to what matters most, their students. It’s not about replacing teachers, it’s about giving them more room to thrive.

About Matt

Matt Mawn, EdD, is the founder of Rooted Learning, an AI-powered platform that generates standards-aligned, differentiated assessments in minutes. He has over 13 years in K–12 leadership, higher education, and edtech. Connect with him on X or visit Rooted Learning.

About Rachelle

Contact Rachelle to schedule sessions about Artificial Intelligence, Coding, AR/VR, and more for your school or event! Submit the Contact Form.

Follow Rachelle on Bluesky, Instagram, and X at @Rdene915

**Interested in writing a guest blog for my site? Would love to share your ideas! Submit your post here. Looking for a new book to read? Find these available at bit.ly/Pothbooks

************ Also, check out my THRIVEinEDU Podcast Here!

Join my show on THRIVEinEDU on Facebook. Join the group here.

Back to School: Building Skills for the Future Starts Now

August 12, 2025August 9, 2025Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth Leave a comment

As we head into a new school year, there’s always a familiar pattern—new schedules, maybe new students, seating charts, lesson planning, and so much more. We all have our usual back-to-school routines, but what if instead we took some time to learn more about our students and brought in opportunities that will prepare them with essential skills they’ll need for the future?

In our classrooms, we are teaching the next generation of creators, innovators, problem-solvers, and leaders. As the world continues to evolve rapidly, largely shaped by AI and other emerging technologies, our methods and maybe even our approach to education may need to be adjusted

Here are a few practical, engaging ways to kick off a new school year that will help students build future-ready or future-focused skills.

1. Foster Curiosity with a Future-Forward Inquiry Project

One of my favorite ways to begin the year is with a “What If…” inquiry activity. Present an open-ended question to students:

What if school took place in the metaverse?
What if every job used AI in some way?
What if we had to solve global problems using only local resources?

Then give students an opportunity to explore and discuss. They can brainstorm, sketch ideas, conduct research, or even collaborate in small groups. An activity like this will not only spark creativity and critical thinking, but it’s also a great way to gather insight into their interests, comfort level with tech, and their ability to think in different ways.

Bonus: You can ask this same question later in the year to compare or even to use it as a focus for a full project or assessment to see how their thinking has evolved.

2. Practice Communication Skills

Our students need to be able to communicate clearly across digital platforms, cultural contexts, and group dynamics. Early in the year, try giving students a prompt like:

“What would you want the world to know about your generation?”

Have them respond however they choose, whether sharing out loud, creating a short video, an infographic, or even a podcast clip. Another way to boost communication is by making time for a gallery walk or student showcase. Getting students to share their ideas and discuss them with one another is great for building the classroom community.

It also builds media literacy, student confidence, and fosters collaboration. And another benefit is that for us as educators, we have truly authentic artifacts of student voice and that helps students to feel that their work is more meaningful and valued in our classrooms.

3. Use AI Tools to Teach Digital Literacy and Responsibility

I have long been saying that whether we’re ready or not, we have to be willing to embrace the changes in technology. Over the past few years, we have experience so many changes because of AI. Our students will grow up and work in an AI-powered world. To prepare them, and ourselves, we need to focus on AI literacy, which is more than just explaining how tools like ChatGPT or Google Gemini or another LLM works. We also need to help them understand the when, why, and how to use these tools responsibly.

Start simple. Involve students in generating text with an AI tool and then ask them to fact-check it. Another idea is to generate a paragraph and ask students about the tone, does it sound human, and other questions that get them to really think about the output that is generated.

What I love about doing these activities in my classroom and when I am training educators, is that they open up important discussions about ethics, bias, and considerations of how to evaluate the information received. creativity.

4. Build Collaboration and Problem-Solving Skills

Problem-solving is most effective when students are working together to brainstorm ideas and iterate solutions.

One idea is to try a design challenge in the first weeks of school that connect to your content area. For example:

In science: Build a prototype for a sustainable invention.
In social studies: Redesign your community for accessibility.
In language arts: Create a character who solves a major future problem.

I sometimes only offer basic overviews with minimal instructions and encourage students to lead the way. I emphasize the process itself by asking them, “How did they approach the task? What obstacles did they face? What did they learn?”

An activity like this promotes real-world teamwork, growth mindset, and building resilience—all skills that will benefit our students far beyond our classroom.

5. Focus on SEL and Identity as a Foundation

Before students can engage deeply in learning, they need to feel seen, heard, and safe. The beginning of the year is the ideal time to promote social-emotional learning (SEL) by helping students explore who they are and what they care about.

Some activities that I have used and that colleagues have shared, include:

“My Learning Superpower” profiles
Vision boards for the year ahead
Journaling about strengths and challenges
Weekly gratitude or goal-setting circles
Beginning of the year “About Me” and a revisit of the responses later in the year.

Activities like these suggestions help students build self-awareness, empathy, and regulation, which are essential for pushing through both academic and personal challenges in a changing world.

When students better understand themselves, they will be more prepared to set their own goals, advocate for their needs, and engage in learning with purpose.

6. Introduce Real-World Problem Scenarios

One of the most exciting ways to build future-ready skills is through project-based learning based on real-world issues. Even in the first few weeks of school, you can get started by suggesting scenarios like:

A local water crisis that needs data analysis and a communication plan
A new social media platform that students must market ethically
A schoolwide challenge to reduce waste or carbon emissions

These activities tie directly to critical thinking, civic engagement, and applied learning which gives students a chance to make meaningful connections between what they know and where they live.

7. Create Space for Reflection and Metacognition

Helping students understand how they learn and not just what they learn is a game-changer.

In the classroom, build in short reflection prompts such as:

“What challenged you today?”
“What’s one mistake that taught you something?”
“How did you show persistence?”
“What did you try that was new?”
“What is something that you could do better tomorrow?”

Use tools like Padlet, Wakelet, a mind-mapping tool, even podcasting tools or traditional notebooks like I did years ago, to give students a space to share their voice during their learning journey. Over time, these reflections can shape stronger self-regulation, grit, and ownership.

The start of the school year is a time when culture is built, expectations are set, and curiosity is at its peak. It’s also when students begin to decide:

“Is this a place where I will be welcome?”

“Will I improve over the year?
“Will my ideas matter?”
“Can I shape my future here?”

Classrooms should be a space that reflect the world our students are preparing for, and not the world that we grew up in. The future is a place where AI literacy, collaboration, ethical thinking, creativity, and resilience are woven into our classrooms, starting from the first day and continuing throughout the year. It just takes one step forward to begin.

About Rachelle

Contact Rachelle to schedule sessions about Artificial Intelligence, Coding, AR/VR, and more for your school or event! Submit the Contact Form.

Follow Rachelle on Bluesky, Instagram, and X at @Rdene915

**Interested in writing a guest blog for my site? Would love to share your ideas! Submit your post here. Looking for a new book to read? Find these available at bit.ly/Pothbooks

************ Also, check out my THRIVEinEDU Podcast Here!

Join my show on THRIVEinEDU on Facebook. Join the group here.

Why Computer Science Matters: Preparing Students for the Future

July 29, 2025July 26, 2025Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth Leave a comment

Building skills in STEM—especially in computer science—is essential for students in today’s world. According to the World Economic Forum, approximately 1 billion jobs will be transformed by technology over the next decade. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also projects a 13% growth in computer and IT-related careers between 2020 and 2030. As educators, it’s our responsibility to prepare students for a rapidly evolving workforce, and one of the most impactful ways we can do this is by integrating computer science into their learning experiences.

Through the right resources, students can explore a wide variety of fields that require computer science skills. They begin to see not only the opportunities available in technology-related careers but also what it takes to succeed in them, and how they can start preparing now.

Bringing Computer Science into Every Classroom

Even if we don’t all come from computer science backgrounds, we can still create meaningful learning experiences that expose students to its benefits. Integrating computer science doesn’t require a full curriculum overhaul—it can start with small, engaging activities that fit within any grade level or subject area. There are a variety of tools that offer ready-made, standards-aligned projects to help teachers get started in less time.

Key Benefits of Computer Science for Students

Computer science education helps students develop versatile and future-ready skills, regardless of the careers they ultimately pursue. Some of the top benefits include:

Analytical Thinking: Students learn to collect, examine, and interpret data, identify patterns, and make informed decisions. Provide them with real-world challenges that require careful analysis and reasoning to develop effective solutions.
Collaboration: Working in teams on coding projects or computer science challenges fosters communication and teamwork. These experiences reflect the collaborative nature of today’s workplaces and help students develop both interpersonal and technical skills.
Creativity and Innovation: Whether designing a game, building an app, or developing a website, students gain confidence as creators. These projects help spark innovation and empower learners to bring their ideas to life.
Problem-Solving: Through programming and logic-based tasks, students learn to break down problems into smaller, manageable steps. This kind of structured thinking is not only critical in tech-related careers but also supports resilience and growth in everyday learning.

Practical Ways to Explore Computer Science in K–12

There are countless tools and platforms that can help students (and teachers) explore computer science in fun, engaging ways:

Augmented and Virtual Reality with Coding: We love using Delightex (formerly known as CoSpaces EDU) to create amazing worlds where students can collaborate, code, and engage in meaningful and fun learning! Try code DXPromoRDP today!
Coding: Coding skills are in high demand, with an estimated 58 million STEM jobs expected in the next few years. Platforms like Code.org, Scratch, and Tynker offer engaging, age-appropriate coding activities. Younger learners can benefit from screen-free robots like MatataStudio or KIBO from KinderLab Robotics. Code with Google also provides free resources with an equity-driven mission.
Hour of Code: While often highlighted in December, Hour of Code activities can be used year-round. Options like Scratch, Scratch Jr., and CS Unplugged provide accessible entry points, even for students without access to computers.
Game and App Development: Students can create their own games or mobile apps using tools like MIT App Inventor or Swift Playgrounds. These beginner-friendly platforms help students develop computational thinking while expressing their creativity.
ISTE Curriculum: The ISTE Computer Science Curriculum offers free guides designed to integrate CS and AI into elementary and secondary classrooms. These resources include standards-aligned activities, lesson plans, and ethics-focused content to make implementation easier.
Robotics: Hands-on robotics activities not only engage students but also give them a window into what computer science careers might involve. Exploring robotics fosters technical skill-building while supporting creativity and critical thinking.

Final Thoughts

Even if computer science isn’t your specialty, introducing its principles into your classroom can make a lasting impact. The benefits go beyond technical proficiency—students develop critical thinking, teamwork, creativity, and resilience. Whether through robotics, coding challenges, app development, or data analysis, computer science opens doors to future-ready learning.

By using a variety of resources and starting with small steps, we can make sure that every student has the opportunity to build these powerful and essential skills.

About Rachelle

Contact Rachelle to schedule sessions about Artificial Intelligence, Coding, AR/VR, and more for your school or event! Submit the Contact Form.

Follow Rachelle on Bluesky, Instagram, and X at @Rdene915

**Interested in writing a guest blog for my site? Would love to share your ideas! Submit your post here. Looking for a new book to read? Find these available at bit.ly/Pothbooks

************ Also, check out my THRIVEinEDU Podcast Here!

Join my show on THRIVEinEDU on Facebook. Join the group here.

Professional Development on AI

July 17, 2025July 16, 2025Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth Leave a comment

Prior post on Edutopia

Over the past few years, we have seen many changes in education. We live and teach in an increasingly digital world that involves rapid technological advancements through emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). The technologies are not only impacting our lives as educators, but they are also impacting the world of work that our students will enter.

To best prepare our students, educators must constantly adapt and evolve to keep up with these changes. However, there are challenges associated with these technologies, including a lack of professional learning opportunities, insufficient time to participate, and uncertainty about the best options for learning. Bringing in new technology can also feel like adding to an already overflowing plate.

Beyond the basic technology skills that educators need for everyday teaching, they also need to be knowledgeable about emerging technologies, particularly AI, and how to bring them into their classrooms. Over the past five years, my work has focused on collaborating with teachers to get them started with emerging technology—including, more recently, AI. Here are some things that work when designing AI-related professional learning.

AI Professional Development for Educators

Professional development (PD) focused on implementing classroom technology goes beyond simply training educators in how to use it and apply it to their curriculum. It requires rich and personalized learning experiences that will engage educators and enable them to see the possibilities available for amplifying learning through educational technology.

Building knowledge in an area such as AI and other emerging technologies takes time with consistent and guided exploration. It also requires that educators be able to explore a variety of resources to find what best meets their specific needs. Without support, teachers are less likely to dive into these new technologies, especially if they do not see the relevance to their content area.

Continue reading this post on Edutopia

About Rachelle

Contact Rachelle to schedule sessions about Artificial Intelligence, Coding, AR/VR, and more for your school or event! Submit the Contact Form.

Follow Rachelle on Bluesky, Instagram, and X at @Rdene915

**Interested in writing a guest blog for my site? Would love to share your ideas! Submit your post here. Looking for a new book to read? Find these available at bit.ly/Pothbooks

************ Also, check out my THRIVEinEDU Podcast Here!

Join my show on THRIVEinEDU on Facebook. Join the group here.

How to Prepare Students for a Fast-Moving (AI)World

July 12, 2025July 16, 2025Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth Leave a comment

In the world of work and education, the pace of technological change is accelerating, and it is doing so faster than ever. As an educator who divides my time between teaching Spanish, STEM, and emerging tech, as well as an attorney and consultant, plus an avid learner, I’ve made it my mission to keep looking for more opportunities that will prepare our students and ourselves. I ask: “What skills do our students really need to thrive not just in today’s world but in the one that’s moving quickly toward us?”

The answer? We have to equip them with the right skills to be “future-ready.” And while technology is involved, it is not about being able to use the latest tech tool. It’s about building a solid foundation of skills, a resilient mindset, and the adaptability to navigate whatever comes next. With the right strategies, we can ensure every student is prepared for the careers and challenges they may face as they continue their learning careers in the world of work.

Education has always been about preparing for the future. But today’s future is driven by evolving AI, robotics, quantum computing, and more. The traditional school model, focused on memorizing content within siloed subjects, is no longer sufficient. We need to embrace change. Our classrooms must become spaces for risk-taking and helping students develop the skills that truly matter in a tech-driven world: critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and digital literacy. These are the tools that will allow our students to navigate an unpredictable landscape with confidence.

The New Realities of Learning and Work

Artificial Intelligence is Already Here. AI isn’t a sci-fi concept; it’s woven into the fabric of our daily lives and is reshaping every industry, from healthcare to finance. To be prepared, our students need to be more than just users of AI—they need to be AI-literate. They must understand its power, question its ethical implications, and learn to leverage it as a tool that enhances, not replaces, their own intelligence. Future employers won’t just want employees who can do a job; they’ll want employees who can work alongside AI.

The Human Element in an AI World

Automation will continue to transform the job market. While some specific roles or jobs will change or even disappear, new ones we can’t yet imagine will be created. This is what makes our uniquely human skills more valuable than ever. Emotional intelligence, ethical reasoning, creative problem-solving, and resilience are the new power skills. This is where methods like challenge-based and project-based learning shine, as they push students to develop these essential human traits.

From Knowing to Doing

In an age where any fact is a quick Google search or LLM prompt away, what we know matters less than what we can do with what we know. The focus must shift from knowledge consumption to skills application. We need to create learning experiences that challenge students to evaluate, process, and apply information in real-world contexts. Project-based learning (PBL) is a fantastic vehicle for this. Exploring big, authentic questions, like those posed by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, empowers students to apply their learning in meaningful ways and develop a sense of global citizenship.

So, how do we build this future-ready foundation? It’s about fostering a culture of curiosity, resilience, and lifelong learning.

Preparing for a Future-Ready Classroom

Here are the core components I focus on to prepare students:

1. Unleash Creativity and Problem-Solving. A future-ready student isn’t a passive consumer of information; they are a creator, an innovator, and a problem-solver. I use methods like design thinking to guide students in developing human-centered solutions to real-world challenges. We tackle big questions like, “How can we use technology to make our city more sustainable?” This process guides them through brainstorming, prototyping, and testing, all while fostering collaboration within the team.

As a STEAM educator, I love showing students how to use AI as a creative partner. We use AI art generators to spark discussions or interact with AI-powered chatbots from platforms like MagicSchool AI to supplement learning. For older students, designing their own simple chatbot can be a powerful lesson in both technology and ethics.

2. Weave in AI and Computational Thinking. In my emerging technology course, I’ve seen firsthand how engaging students with AI cultivates computational thinking and ethical awareness. We analyze AI-generated content to discuss fairness and bias. We investigate how AI powers the tools they use every day, from streaming services to self-driving cars, and I challenge them to imagine improvements.

Hands-on learning is key. Tools like Google’s Teachable Machine allow students to train their own simple AI models and understand machine learning concepts. We’ve also explored robotics with the VinciBot and the Nous AI Set from MatataStudio, which helps students grasp concepts like facial recognition and object detection. By using AI-powered teaching tools like Brisk Teaching, SchoolAI or Snorkl, we model how to use these technologies safely, ethically, and responsibly. This hands-on literacy prepares them not just to use AI, but to question, design, and innovate with it.

3. Cultivate Resilience and Adaptability. In a world of constant change, the ability to adapt and bounce back from setbacks is crucial. I design STEM and PBL activities where the process is more important than the final product. Failure is reframed as a learning opportunity. By encouraging students to reflect on their process, adjust their strategies, and support one another, we build the resilience they need to become confident, lifelong learners.

To get started, you don’t need a huge budget. If you are looking to create presentations that will help teach the content or show students the process of PBL, for example, you could try WorkPPT. It even offers AI Chat and Summarizer, and can create mind maps too! Try WorkPPT today!

Free tools like EduaideAi, TeachShare, or Enlighten AI, which can help you generate ideas and explore AI’s capabilities. With a tool like TeachShare, you can create a variety of learning materials aligned to specific standards and accommodations, helping you build these essential skills in your students. Also, dive into all-in-one platforms like School In One for all of your communication, collaboration, and assessment needs and more. (Schedule a meeting with CEO Mati Barbero to learn more and share that I sent you there.)

Ultimately, by designing authentic, real-world learning experiences, we empower our students with more than just knowledge. We give them the creativity, resilience, and critical thinking skills they need to not just face the future but to shape it.

About Rachelle

Contact Rachelle to schedule sessions about Artificial Intelligence, Coding, AR/VR, and more for your school or event! Submit the Contact Form.

Follow Rachelle on Bluesky, Instagram, and X at @Rdene915

**Interested in writing a guest blog for my site? Would love to share your ideas! Submit your post here. Looking for a new book to read? Find these available at bit.ly/Pothbooks

************ Also, check out my THRIVEinEDU Podcast Here!

Join my show on THRIVEinEDU on Facebook. Join the group here.

Transform Public Speaking with Yoodli: Your AI Coach

June 27, 2025June 23, 2025Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth Leave a comment

Guest post by Paula Johnson, see Paula’s other blogs here and subscribe!

Public speaking. Just reading those two words probably made your palms sweat a little. Whether you’re a student giving a book report, a teacher presenting at a PD (with no AC and bad coffee), or someone just trying to sound confident in a meeting, speaking clearly and effectively is a real skill, and one that usually comes with years of awkward ums and cringey filler words.

Enter Yoodli, your friendly-but-firm AI-powered speech coach. Think of it like Toastmasters… if Toastmasters lived inside your laptop and never interrupted you

🧰 What Is Yoodli?

Yoodli is an AI tool designed to help users improve their public speaking skills. It analyzes your speech in real-time or after a recording and gives you feedback on things like:

Filler words (“um,” “like,” “you know”)
Pacing (Are you sprinting or sedating your audience?)
Word choice and sentence complexity
Eye contact and body language (with video)
And yes, even your “uhhh” to actual word ratio

Yoodli gives you a transcript and a confidence score, plus suggestions that range from helpful to brutally honest. It’s basically Simon Cowell with AI ethics and a smiley face interface.

🏫 Classroom Uses: From the Speech Team to the Math Teacher

Yoodli is one of those tools that sneaks up on you with its usefulness. Here’s how educators can integrate it meaningfully across content areas:

💬 1. Speech & Debate or Language Arts

The most obvious use case. Have students record their speeches or presentations, then analyze their own pacing, tone, and use of filler words using Yoodli. Students can track their growth over time, which is far more helpful (and less awkward) than just watching themselves on video.

🎤 2. ELL/ESL Support

For multilingual students, Yoodli provides private, low-stakes speaking practice. It doesn’t judge accents; it focuses on clarity, pacing, and fluency. Students can speak into the tool and get instant feedback, helping build confidence without the pressure of speaking in front of the class.

🧠 3. Teacher PD & Self-Reflection

Want to see how you really sound during that lesson on quadratic equations? Use Yoodli to record part of your instruction or PD session. You might be surprised how often you say “so yeah” (guilty). This can also be helpful for instructional coaches working with teachers on presentation or communication skills.

🧪 4. Science Fairs and Project-Based Learning

Anytime students are explaining a process or presenting their thinking, Yoodli can give them that extra polish. It encourages students to reflect on how they communicate their ideas, not just what they say, but how they say it.

💻 5. Interview Practice and Career Readiness

Mock interviews? Elevator pitches? College essays turned spoken narratives? Yoodli is ideal for helping students practice for real-world moments where confidence and clarity are key.

🧠 The AI Behind the Tool

Yoodli uses automatic speech recognition (ASR) and natural language processing (NLP) to analyze spoken words in real time. Think of it as a very nerdy parrot that listens, transcribes, and then gently tells you you’re rambling.

Some quick nerd notes:

Speech recognition turns your words into text (transcription)
NLP analyzes your speech for filler words, tone, sentiment, and repetition
Yoodli can detect your pace and word variety over time

Importantly, Yoodli doesn’t train its model on your data without consent. Users can opt into saving their data for progress tracking, but educators should check settings for student accounts. They’ve made good strides toward ethical design—no surprise, since one of the co-founders used to work at Google AI but left to build tech that was more human-focused.

Data privacy tip: Make sure to read the privacy policy if you’re using it with students under 18, and consider creating class-specific accounts or using it in “demo mode” with no login required.

🧪 Try It Out: Tips for Teachers

Here’s how to get rolling without needing a 47-slide training deck:

Start small: Have students practice a 1-minute talk on any topic. Favorite food. Least favorite math concept. Why dogs are better than cats. (Yoodli is cat-neutral.)
Use the transcript: Yoodli gives a full transcript of each session, great for writing reflection, peer feedback, or revision activities.
Gamify it: Who can lower their filler word count the most in one week? Who has the smoothest pacing? Instant leaderboard.
Model it: Record yourself first and share the feedback you got. Vulnerability builds classroom trust (and shows that even grown-ups say “like” too much).
Be intentional: Don’t let Yoodli become a surveillance tool. Use it for growth, not gotchas. Let students control their recordings and reflection.

👩‍🏫 Final Thoughts: AI Coaching That Doesn’t Need Coffee

Yoodli isn’t replacing speech teachers or taking over your drama class—it’s a supplement, not a substitute. But it is an amazing, low-barrier way to help students hear themselves and improve one of the most universally useful skills: effective communication.

Plus, unlike your coworker in the next room, Yoodli never interrupts you mid-sentence to ask if you’ve “seen the new attendance policy.” So that’s a win.

I believe educators deserve access to tools, knowledge, and support that empower them to do their best work. If my content has helped you, inspired you, or made your day a little lighter, supporting me on Ko-fi helps me continue creating resources that support teachers who are changing the world one student at a time.

If this work supports you, you can support it too: ko-fi.com/paulajohnsontech

About Rachelle

Contact Rachelle to schedule sessions about Artificial Intelligence, Coding, AR/VR, and more for your school or event! Submit the Contact Form.

Follow Rachelle on Bluesky, Instagram, and X at @Rdene915

**Interested in writing a guest blog for my site? Would love to share your ideas! Submit your post here. Looking for a new book to read? Find these available at bit.ly/Pothbooks

************ Also, check out my THRIVEinEDU Podcast Here!

Join my show on THRIVEinEDU on Facebook. Join the group here.

Increasing Cybersecurity

June 25, 2025June 22, 2025Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth Leave a comment

Schools have experienced an increase in the number of cyberattacks over the past year. Cybersecurity attacks can include data breaches, ransomware, and phishing, all of which disrupt learning. These can result in compromised sensitive personal information, disrupt the learning environment, and, at times, bring a high financial burden due to the need to investigate the attack, add network security, restore files, or make payments to recover the encrypted files stolen in a ransomware attack. We are all susceptible to these attacks and risk having our personally identifiable information (PII) shared with others without even knowing.

With these challenges, schools must take steps to safeguard data and implement policies and best practices for cybersecurity. This can involve everyone in the school:

Administrators and IT can work together to create comprehensive cybersecurity policies that outline expectations for staff and students. These policies should include topics like password strength, data protection, and acceptable use of technology.
Schools should provide ongoing training for all staff on cybersecurity best practices and incident response procedures.
Classroom teachers can guide students in creating strong passwords and teach them about the risks of phishing, malware, and other risks.
Students can protect themselves by creating strong passwords, closely evaluating sites and links, and asking for help if they are unsure about an email or a website.

By having clear policies in place and conducting regular audits of digital tools, educators can protect themselves, students, and students’ families from these risks.

Continue reading the article on Edutopia, where it was originally posted.

About Rachelle

Contact Rachelle to schedule sessions about Artificial Intelligence, Coding, AR/VR, and more for your school or event! Submit the Contact Form.

Follow Rachelle on Bluesky, Instagram, and X at @Rdene915

**Interested in writing a guest blog for my site? Would love to share your ideas! Submit your post here. Looking for a new book to read? Find these available at bit.ly/Pothbooks

************ Also, check out my THRIVEinEDU Podcast Here!

Join my show on THRIVEinEDU on Facebook. Join the group here.

Imagi Webinar: AI-Ready Educators: Preparing Teachers for the Future of Learning

June 18, 2025June 15, 2025Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth Leave a comment

We had a great turnout for our recent webinar and a great panel! Read more here and check out the recording.

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a concept for the future—it’s transforming classrooms everywhere. The sudden and widespread availability of powerful AI tools has left many educators with a mix of excitement and apprehension. How can we, as educators, prepare our students for an AI-driven future? How do we harness the potential of these tools while carefully and consistently navigating their pitfalls?

These were the central questions addressed in a recent webinar, “The AI-Ready Educator: Preparing Teachers for the Future of Learning,” hosted by ThriveinEDU and Imagi-Labs. The session brought together a panel of experts, including educator, author, and attorney, Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth, who moderated a powerful conversation with panelists Alana Winnick, Beatrice Ionascu, and Ken Shelton about the intersection of computer science, computational thinking, AI, and ethics in modern education.

“We’re not here because we’re experts—we’re here because we’re learners,” said Poth, who has spent the past eight years working with AI in education. “This is a conversation. We’re figuring it out together.” This insightful conversation provided a roadmap for educators looking to become AI-ready.

Understanding the Fundamentals

Before exploring the practical applications of AI in the classroom, it’s essential to understand what AI is. As Beatrice explained, AI systems are designed to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as pattern recognition, language processing, and decision-making, all of which are fueled by data. Ken Shelton further clarified that ‘not all AI is the same,” breaking it down into three types: reactive, predictive, and generative. While we’ve been interacting with reactive AI (like spell check and email spam filters) and predictive AI for years, it’s the recent explosion of generative AI that has captured our collective attention.

Understanding these distinctions is the first step toward developing a nuanced approach to AI in education. A blanket policy to “block all AI,” as Ken pointed out, is not only impractical but also counterproductive, as it would mean eliminating tools we rely on daily. Instead, the focus should be on using these systems effectively and responsibly.

From Educators to Empowerers

The panel opened with introductions from four leaders who are not only immersed in educational innovation but also actively working to shape its future.

Alana Winnick, Educational Technology Director and Data Protection Officer at Pocantico Hills Central School District in New York, emphasized the need for purpose-driven integration of AI. “I also started a program called Students for Innovation, which empowers students to advocate for change in their schools,” she shared. With a book and podcast on generative AI, Winnick has centered her work on amplifying student voices in tech spaces.

Beatrice Ionascu, co-founder and CTO of Imagi, echoed the importance of inspiring student curiosity. “I truly believe that technology education is the key to creating a better world,” she said. “At Imagi, our mission is to make computer science and AI literacy as essential and accessible as reading and math.” With a background in engineering, product design, and education, she brings a unique perspective to building tools that connect students, especially girls, to technology through creative coding.

The Imperative of AI Literacy

A recurring theme throughout the discussion was the concept of “AI literacy.” Ken Shelton offered a comprehensive definition: “AI literacy means knowing, understanding, and using AI in smart and safe ways. It helps people ask good questions about how AI works, how it helps or hurts others, and how it can change or impact the world around us.”

Alana Winnick provided a practical framework for fostering AI literacy in students, assigning them two critical roles: the “detective” and the “DJ”. As detectives, students must be on the lookout for bias and misinformation, understanding that AI is not a magical, infallible source of truth. This is a crucial skill, especially in a world where AI-generated content can be convincingly inaccurate. As DJs, students are encouraged to “remix” AI-generated content, infusing it with their own thoughts, ideas, and voice, ensuring that their work remains a reflection of their own learning and creativity.

The Irreplaceable Human Element

One of the most pressing concerns for educators is the fear that AI will render their roles obsolete. The panelists, however, were unanimous in their belief that the human element in teaching is not only irreplaceable but will become even more critical in an AI-integrated world. Beatrice painted a stark picture of a “dystopic future” where learners are isolated with machines, a vision that underscores the fundamental need for human connection in education.

Ken Shelton passionately argued that AI cannot and should not replace the meaningful interactions that are the bedrock of effective teaching and learning. He cautioned against “cognitively offloading” the human aspects of education to AI, emphasizing that these systems don’t know our students’ individual needs, dreams, and challenges. Alana added that AI, when used thoughtfully, can actually enhance the human element by automating tedious tasks, freeing up teachers to focus on what they do best: building relationships, fostering a positive classroom culture, and providing individualized support. Poth agreed that when using AI in her classroom, she guides students on how to use it for enhancing learning and engages in more conversations and interactions with students because of the time that can be saved when using these tools.

The Role of Computational Thinking

While discussing AI and various important topics, we also emphasized the importance of computational thinking (CT) as a foundational skill for AI readiness. CT includes logic, pattern recognition, decomposition, and abstraction—core elements that help students understand how computers “think” before they ever write a line of code.

Panelists agreed that you can’t fully understand AI without understanding the process of problem-solving that goes into it. Computational thinking is the gateway to coding and beyond.

Winnick added, “We’re seeing kids jump straight to AI tools, but they still need to understand how algorithms are structured, how data works, and how to identify problems worth solving. AI doesn’t replace thinking—it amplifies it when used responsibly.”

AI as a Tool for Creation—not Just Consumption

One key takeaway was that AI should be positioned as a tool that supports students as creators, not just consumers. This shift requires educators to rethink traditional computer science instruction.

“We want students to code, but also to see how AI can help them prototype faster, solve problems differently, or iterate creatively,” Ionascu explained. “That’s why we need to teach both the fundamentals and how to critically use AI tools.”

The panel discussed how students can use AI to generate code, explore new ideas, or debug faster—but only if they’ve first learned the structure and logic of programming.

Ethics Must Be Front and Center

Beyond skills and tools, panelists emphasized that students need to learn how to use AI responsibly, and this starts with intentional discussions about ethics.

“We can’t wait until something goes wrong to start talking about ethics,” said Winnick. “Students need to understand bias, privacy, and the societal impact of AI from the beginning.”

Ionascu added, “In our work at Imagi, we try to normalize conversations about ethics early on. It’s not a separate unit—it’s woven into every experience with technology. Students should be asking, ‘What could go wrong?’ Who is this helping? Who might it harm?”

Shelton also highlighted the role of educators in modeling ethical inquiry. “We don’t need to have all the answers, but we do need to show students how to ask the right questions.” Shelton’s work related to equity is well-known, and his book “The Promises and Perils of AI in Education: Ethics and Equity Have Entered The Chat,” which he co-authored with Dee Lanier, is a great resource for educators.

Practical Strategies for Educators

The webinar also offered classroom-ready strategies to help educators bridge the gap between foundational computer science and AI-enhanced learning:

Use block-based coding (like Scratch or Imagi) to introduce logic before jumping into text-based languages.
Incorporate AI exploration tools (such as ChatGPT or Google’s Teachable Machine) to show how models are trained.
Encourage journaling or reflection prompts about ethical dilemmas related to AI tools.
Introduce AI early, but always in tandem with skill-building and reflection.

Poth emphasized, “It’s not about having a perfect curriculum. It’s about giving students opportunities to explore, experiment, and reflect.”

Preparing Educators to Prepare Students

At its core, the panel’s message was clear: educators themselves must become AI-literate if they’re going to prepare students for an AI-driven world.

“We have to do the work of learning ourselves,” said Winnick. “That means experimenting with tools, joining communities, reading critically, and being honest with students when we don’t know something yet.”

Ionascu reinforced this, noting that teacher curiosity is contagious. “When students see educators exploring and asking thoughtful questions, it empowers them to do the same.”

As the conversation closed, panelists left attendees with words of encouragement: It is an opportunity to rethink what we teach, how we teach it, and how we prepare students to lead in the future.

The message of the evening was one of hope, responsibility, and action. As AI continues to evolve, so too must our approach to teaching. By grounding our work in computational thinking, ethical reasoning, and curiosity, we can help students not only adapt to the future but shape it. To learn more about the panelists, see below the video. To sign up for our next webinar, register here.