ISTE+ASCD aims to transform education through AI-powered learning initiatives

Artificial intelligence has become a significant element in everyday life, from automating customer service inquiries to generating personalized shopping suggestions. As generative AI tools rise in prominence, educators are examining how these tools might redefine educational practices. While some educators leverage AI for administrative efficiency, others resist, viewing student use as academically dishonest.

Organizations ISTE+ASCD argue this limited perspective overlooks AI's potential in transforming education. They emphasize the need for a reevaluation of educational approaches, guided by their Transformational Learning Principles, which are designed to enrich the learning experience through AI.

According to Dr. Joseph South, Chief Innovation Officer at ISTE+ASCD, educators should guide the integration of AI using five critical frames: equity/fairness, values, quality over efficiency, professional learning, and transformational learning. South underscores the importance of considering how AI can support students' needs regardless of their access, power, or privilege and align with educational values.

South highlights, "Doing things faster—things that we probably should have abandoned long ago—doesn't serve us or our students well. We must focus on meaningful change, not just making ineffective methods more efficient."

ISTE+ASCD’s GenerationAI initiative is helping prepare over 200,000 educators to employ AI in transformational ways. The platform aims to build digital competencies rather than focus on transient tool-specific training. Antonelli Mejia, a principal from Boston, described it as “exciting to learn more about both the opportunities and the risk.”

Celine Perea, a Colorado teacher, highlighted the program's value by stating, “I cannot begin to express what an amazing opportunity and experience this was. I learned so much and made some amazing connections with educators from across the country.”

Backed by Google.org, ISTE+ASCD, along with six coalition partners, are leading this exploration. The GenerationAI initiative invites educators to join in understanding AI’s impact on education to create equitable and engaging learning experiences.

For further involvement, educators are encouraged to participate in GenerationAI’s ongoing exploration via the initiative's website.