A Beginner’s Guide to AI: Insights from the Experts in EdTech
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has swiftly emerged as a transformative force across industries. To delve into the opportunities and challenges presented by AI in education, Tech Elevator’s Represent Tech program partnered with Stride’s W.O.W (Women Empowering Women) resource group to host a virtual event, “A Beginner’s Guide to AI: Opportunities & Challenges.”
In case you missed it, watch the full event recording here: Watch Now
This event brought together a panel of experts with unique insights into how AI shapes our personal and professional lives. This blog post will introduce you to our panelists, share valuable resources, and provide the top five best practices for leveraging AI daily.
Meet Our Panelists
Chelsea Perrine – Career IT Educator. Chelsea, a seasoned educator, has journeyed through roles such as classroom teacher, lead teacher and software developer. With a master’s degree in Music Education and a second master’s in Online Education on the horizon, she’s your go-to for all things edtech.
Lee Williams – Director of Content Marketing. Lee, a creative virtuoso, boasts a decade in brand storytelling and institutional marketing. A master’s degree in Mass Communication, a Graduate Certificate in Editing and Publishing, and a bachelor’s degree in English – Creative Writing round out Lee’s impressive resume.
Kimberly Ring – Portfolio Academic Administrator. Kimberly started as an elementary teacher and evolved into a Talent Development Specialist. Now, as a Portfolio Academic Administrator, she holds a master’s in Educational Leadership and a bachelor’s in Elementary Education. Off-duty, she conquers slopes and dives deep into research.
Top 5 Best Practices
These best practices are your compass for navigating the world of AI effectively. By understanding the learning curve, embracing AI as a partner, staying informed, encouraging creativity, and dedicating yourself to practice, you can harness AI’s full potential in your professional, personal and educational endeavors.
1. Understanding the Learning Curve
As our expert panelists emphasized, AI might appear intimidating at first glance. However, it’s crucial to perceive it as a valuable learning tool. Start applying AI to everyday scenarios; gradually, you’ll become more comfortable navigating its capabilities. In Chelsea’s words, “AI has a learning curve. Start with familiar scenarios to practice and refine your interaction with AI.”
2. Embracing AI as a Partner, Not a Replacement
Lee’s insights underline the importance of integrating AI into your workflow as a collaborator, not a substitute. Instead of viewing AI as a replacement for human creativity, consider it a powerful partner. It can enhance your work by breaking down complex topics into bite-sized content, as well as supporting brainstorming sessions and making data-driven recommendations.
3. Staying Informed About AI’s Capabilities
Lee also emphasized the importance of keeping abreast of AI’s evolving capabilities. In the ever-evolving landscape of AI technology, staying informed about what AI can and cannot do is vital for making informed decisions when integrating this tool. As he put it, “Keep exploring AI’s capabilities. Find one resource that works for you and catalog your approaches.”
4. Encouraging Creativity in Tech
Just as teachers can unlock their creative potential with AI assistance, coders and tech enthusiasts can harness the power of artificial intelligence to foster innovation. Imagine sharing AI resources with your team, experimenting with new solutions during your free time, and learning new programming languages quickly. AI isn’t just streamlining processes; it’s a catalyst for your creative coding endeavors, opening up endless possibilities for tech innovation.
5. Being a Lifelong Learner
Chelsea stressed the significance of practice and experimentation when interacting with AI. While AI may not always provide the desired response initially, practice is critical to improving these interactions. Experiment with questions and prompts to refine your interactions. This patient and persistent approach can yield significant improvements over time.
Explore Valuable AI Resources
Discover a wealth of AI knowledge and tools with our panelists’ recommended resources. Whether you’re a marketer wanting to integrate ChatGPT ethically or interested in AI’s impact on education and bias, these materials have you covered. Dive into the world of AI here.
Access the full resource handout here: AI Resources
A Panoramic View of AI’s Potential
“A Beginner’s Guide to AI: Opportunities & Challenges” virtual event offered a panoramic view from senior-level leadership of AI’s transformative potential influencing the future of work.
Step into the future of education and career readiness with us. AI is more than just a buzzword; it’s a powerful tool shaping the landscape of learning and work. By staying informed and harnessing the potential of AI, you’re not just keeping up; you’re positioning yourself for success in the ever-evolving world of tech.
Download the guide now and stay ahead in this AI-powered revolution, preparing yourself for the modern workforce of tomorrow.
Written by Elizabeth Brake, Tech Elevator’s Director of Revenue Operations and Strategy