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Technology in Schools Today

A note to the reader: Considering the topic of this meeting, the Collaborative staff thought it would be useful for meeting attendees to see what tools like ChatGPT can do (and perhaps where there is still room for its improvement). In that vein, the summary paragraphs that follow were all written by ChatGPT in response to the prompt, “Summarize this article: [URL to each piece].” As a service to the reader, humans on the staff have added text in bold to help define terms in the summaries generated by ChatGPT. The strikethrough text indicates language that ChatGPT produced as part of its summary but that the Collaborative staff believed to be a misrepresentation of the article itself.

Opportunities to Enhance Learning Through Technology

**Anderson, J. (2018, May 24). The former education minister of one of the world’s smartest countries explains the role of AI in schools. Quartz. https://qz.com/1285854/ai-in-schools-helps-with-high-tech-high-touch-learning-according-to-south-koreas-former-education-minister

The article discusses an interview with Ju Ho Lee, a former South Korean Minister of Education, about the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education. Lee emphasizes that AI can support personalized learning and assist teachers with administrative tasks, as well as provide real-time data on student performance to help teachers better target interventions. He also notes that AI can be used to enhance traditional teaching methods and create a more interactive learning environment. However, Lee stresses the importance of balancing high tech with high touch in education, meaning balancing technology with humanity, and ensuring that ethical considerations are taken into account, such as privacy protection and preventing bias. Overall, Lee believes that AI can be a valuable tool in education when used in a responsible and ethical manner.

Ferlazzo, L. (2023, Jan 24). Educators need to get with the AI program. ChatGPT, more specifically. EdWeek. https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/opinion-educators-need-to-get-with-the-ai-program-chatgpt-more-specifically/2023/01

The article argues that educators need to become more familiar with AI technology to prepare students for the future workforce. The author emphasizes the importance of AI literacy, or the ability to critically evaluate, prompt, and respond to AI-generated work, as it is becoming increasingly integrated into various industries and job sectors. The article also highlights the potential benefits of AI in education, such as personalized learning and more efficient administrative tasks. The author recommends that educators should be trained in AI technology and should incorporate it into the curriculum to better prepare students for the future job market. Overall, the article stresses the importance of embracing AI technology in education to ensure that students are well-prepared for the rapidly changing job landscape.

Rowe, T. (2022, December 15). VR in schools transport K–12 students through space and time. EdTech. https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2022/12/virtual-headsets-transport-k-12-students-through-space-and-time

The article discusses the use of virtual reality (VR) headsets in K-12 education to enhance student learning. The author highlights several examples of how VR technology is being used in the classroom, including virtual field trips to historical sites and immersive science experiments. The article also notes the potential benefits of VR technology, such as increased engagement and better retention of information. However, the author also cautions that VR technology is not a replacement for traditional teaching methods and should be used in combination with them. The article concludes by noting that while VR technology in education is still in its early stages, it has the potential to revolutionize the way students learn and interact with the world.

Frost, A. (2022, November 9). Improve K–12 literacy with next-gen reading tools. EdTech. https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2022/11/improve-k-12-literacy-next-gen-reading-tools-perfcon

The article discusses the use of next-generation reading tools in K-12 education to improve literacy. The author emphasizes the importance of literacy skills in student success and notes that traditional reading assessments may not capture the full range of skills needed for success in the 21st century. The article then discusses the use of performance-based assessments (PerfCons) to measure students' literacy skills, which are more comprehensive and can assess a wider range of skills. The article also highlights several examples of next-generation reading tools, such as digital reading logs and interactive e-books, which can support student learning and provide more targeted interventions. The article concludes by noting that while these tools are not a substitute for traditional teaching methods, they can enhance literacy instruction and help students develop the skills they need for success in the future.

Threats to Equity in Using Technology

**Nkonde, M. (2023, February 27). ChatGPT: New AI system, old bias? Mashable. https://mashable.com/article/chatgpt-ai-racism-bias

The article discusses the potential for bias and racism in AI language models, such as OpenAI's ChatGPT, and the need for companies to address these issues. The author notes that AI language models are often trained on large datasets that may contain biased or discriminatory language, which can lead to perpetuating harmful stereotypes and discrimination. The article then discusses the efforts being made by companies such as OpenAI to address these issues, such as improving dataset selection and implementing bias detection tools. However, the author emphasizes that there is still much work to be done to ensure that AI language models are unbiased and inclusive. The article concludes by noting that AI has the potential to transform many industries, but it must be developed and used responsibly to prevent harm and discrimination.

American Institutes for Research. (2022). The intersection of technology and educational equity—before, during, and after the pandemic. https://www.air.org/resource/qa/intersection-technology-and-educational-equity-during-and-after-pandemic

The article discusses the intersection of technology and educational equity during and after the pandemic. It highlights the challenges and opportunities of technology in supporting educational equity, including the digital divide, access to technology, and the need for effective implementation and support for teachers and students. The article emphasizes the importance of addressing equity in technology use to ensure that all students have equal opportunities to succeed. It also provides examples of successful technology-based programs and policies that promote educational equity.

**This document is considered a priority pre-reading.