Embracing AI Education in K-12 Schools: A Navigational Guide
Go to any educational conference, read an article in Education Week, sit in any faculty meeting, and how, when, and why to teach Artificial Intelligence (AI) is clear. I have read many books and articles that discuss AI in K-12 classrooms, but none have been as insightful as the recent work from Dr. Suchi Grover.
When I first left the classroom in 2015, I was taking part in creating multiple years of Computer Science and Computational Thinking (CT) curriculum. There were two educational researchers whose work in CT really influenced me — Shuchi Grover and David Weintrop. I am honored to collaborate with Dr. Weintrop on helping ease the transition from blocks to text based coding. I’ve also had the chance to meet Dr. Grover and I’ve recommended her wonderful book to many teachers.
Therefore, it did not surprise me when Dr. Grover’s paper titled “Teaching AI to K-12 Learners: Lessons, Issues, and Guidance” won the Best Paper award for Position Papers and Curricula Initiatives at SIGCSE ’24: Proceedings of the 55th ACM Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education.
Grover’s paper is a must read for both teachers and school decision makers. Her writing offers an invaluable roadmap for integrating AI education into our schools, underscoring its importance for preparing students for a future dominated by AI technologies.
Here are a few key points that really stood out and resonated with me.
Navigating “The Next New Thing” in education comes with its set of challenges and tensions, something I experienced many times while I was in the classroom. Teacher preparation is key, with a pressing need for professional development opportunities that equip educators with the necessary AI knowledge and skills. In my discussions with teachers, there is a lack of knowledge around AI. Dr. Grover reminds us that curricular co-design with teachers is a mutually beneficial activity for both the designer/researcher and the teacher. When the subject is new to teachers, co-design is an excellent model for teacher training and professional development as well.
A good place to start that teacher training and professional development is addressing misconceptions. Grover describes that the descriptions, and criticisms, of AI can make AI seem either magical, sentient, infallible, or overly humanlike. I have written about these tendencies- it is good to remember that is called artificial intelligence for a reason. Grover discusses the importance of addressing these misperceptions and highlights the need for teacher professional development to emphasize that AI is not sentient and our own minds are not computational.
In perhaps my favorite part of the paper, Grover describes the need to center on the learners. AI education, similar to good STEM pedagogy, similar to good computer science pedagogy, should focus on students’ background, their interests, and their identify. This emphasis has to be placed at the beginning of curriculum creation, not added on at the end. Equally important is an emphasis on equity and inclusive teaching practices.
I suggest putting Grover’s point in the paper on the bulletin board in every teacher’s lounge — I am quoting it in full:
To address the teaching of a technical discipline new to both teachers and students by leveraging a plurality of pedagogies such as project-, inquiry- and game-based learning, hands-on activities and explorations, games, unplugged activities, hands-on coding activities. Let’s take an “all the above” approach when it comes to teaching and learning AI. We don’t know the best way — let’s experiment different ways, assess, publish, and discuss.
Change is hard. Identifying what works for all students is hard, incorporating new technologies in our classrooms is hard. Those who help us navigate these challenges deserve acknowledgement. Dr. Shuchi Grover’s contributions to AI education are invaluable, providing a beacon for all those committed to preparing students for a future where AI plays a central role. Her work not only enlightens but also inspires.
Through her insights and guidance, Dr. Grover describes a future where AI education features the empowering of teachers, student-centered teaching and learning, and an emphasis on equity and inclusive pedagogy. Dr. Grover’s work will help to ensure that students are not only ready for the future but also instrumental in shaping it.
