As a longtime educator, I’ve seen firsthand how quickly the landscape of education can change. This is particularly true when it comes to technology. Once upon a time, the calculator was a shiny new instrument that allowed students to compute sums with the push of a button. Today, we’re standing on a new frontier of AI that not only produces and aggregates information faster than we can blink but threatens to upend learning altogether if not handled responsibly. It can certainly be overwhelming at times, but I’ve come to see the potential in this evolving technology.
Educators now have access to an ever-expanding array of digital tools and apps designed to create engaging learning experiences. When used correctly, these resources can inspire student creativity and teach them to think critically about the world around them. The real challenge is determining which new tools will best support our students and ultimately stand the test of time. No easy task in a world where each new piece of tech claims to revolutionize education. For my part though, I’ve found several reliable tools that have practical applications for the classroom, and which teachers can start using right away.
First is The Teachable Machine. The Teachable Machine has actually been around since 2017 but has taken on new significance with the rise of artificial intelligence. This tool lets users train models that will recognize images, sounds, or poses. In doing so, it helps students discover what an AI learning machine is and how they work. This is invaluable knowledge for students living in a world that is quickly incorporating artificial intelligence into every corner of the culture. Teachable Machine is also free to use, which makes it an accessible resource for both teachers and students, allowing them to approach the topic of AI in a way that’s straightforward and stress free.
Next, educators should consider familiarizing themselves with schoolai.com. One of the biggest challenges facing teachers of all grades today is the student temptation to misuse AI by having a program do their work for them. Like Teachable Machine, schoolai.com centers around the use of artificial intelligence, but in a way that’s both safe and responsible. The AI it uses, such as a program called “Sidekick”, won’t do the work for students but will instead guide them through their inquiry. This teaches students to view AI as a tool, not a substitute for their own education.
Finally, if teachers are looking to add a little “razzle” to their lessons, they should take the time to explore Adobe Character Animator. Adobe Character Animator is a very fun tool that can assist students in polishing up their presentation skills. The program teaches students how to create animated stories and interactive lessons, which enables students to explore creative storytelling and digital design while giving their work a bit of flare. With the widespread use of social media, creative communication has become a surprising new skill in the workplace, so this resource is worth the investment. Plus, everything is just more fun when animated characters get involved!
Keeping up with the latest tools and technology can be challenging, but embracing these advancements has the potential to transform our classrooms into dynamic and engaging learning environments. From artificial intelligence to animation, a wealth of resources exists to enrich student learning and shape a new generation of great thinkers. Let’s not miss this chance to turn our classrooms into vibrant centers of curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.
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