Page 40 - 2024_Jour_91-1

Introduction to AI Program for Educators

By Crisianee Berry, Xi Lin, and Phyllis J. Broughton

Artificial intelligence (AI) tools in education are positioned to impact learning in a way that no
tool has since the internet was adopted. They have the capacity to change almost all aspects of
teaching and learning. Many of these changes have the possibility of supporting educators in
tasks such as planning, differentiation, and assessment, thereby making these tasks less time-
consuming and stressful for educators. A need exists for professional development designed
to introduce educators to AI tools and answer some of the many questions about the use of AI
in education. Understanding this need, the authors created a short professional development
presentation for a group of elementary school educators as the first step in developing a
resource program that can be expanded and shared with educators around their state with the
goal of increasing educator well-being.

Overview of the Introduction to AI Program
Artificial intelligence (AI), which refers to a simulation of human intelligence
by computers and other machines (Zhai et al., 2021), has become a popular topic in
the field of education. Specifically, AI encompasses an extensive array of methods
such as machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and computer
vision, with techniques applicable across a spectrum of tasks, from straightforward
rule-based procedures to intricate problem-solving and decision-making processes
(Russell & Norvig, 2016). In academia, AI’s growing use impacts traditional learning
and teaching methods as it has the potential to offer personalized learning plans and
assist student success through advanced data analysis. Therefore, the use and ways
of using AI have significantly garnered attention from scholars and practitioners.
Today, a variety of AI tools can be used for teaching and learning, such as
Gemini by Google (https://gemini.google.com/), Copilot by Microsoft (https://
copilot.microsoft.com), ChatGPT from OpenAI (https://chatgpt.com), and so forth.
Taking ChatGPT as an example, scholars have noted the potential of applying this
tool to education. For instance, Lin (2023) investigated the possibility of employing
this AI tool as a virtual tutor for self-directed learning with various applications
in educational assistance, including goal setting, personalized planning, resource
access based on learning styles, progress monitoring and feedback provision, and
self-assessment. This on-demand support would make learning enjoyable and
engaging. Likewise, ChatGPT could facilitate language learning, grammar practice,
and communication skills improvement and make educational materials more
accessible (Lyerly, 2023; Shaikh et al., 2023). In short, it could function as a virtual
assistant, providing information on demand or making resources available at all
times, thus leading to academic success among students.

AI Support for Educator Wellness and Classroom Success
With its various uses, educators can implement AI to assist with the numerous
challenges in today’s classrooms, from inspiring and engaging students to fostering
critical thinking and social skills. Educators dedicate extensive time to planning
lessons, designing assessments, and maintaining a supportive environment.
However, amid these demands, educators also need to prioritize their own well-

38 The Delta Kappa Gamma Bulletin: International Journal for Professional Educators