(TNS) — San Rafael City Schools teachers are forming a committee on artificial intelligence to explore its potential effects and benefits.
Christy Novack, the district’s director of technology, told administrators Monday that the committee’s goal will be to develop recommendations for the best uses of technology in schools. Novack recruits 12 to 15 parents, staff and students to serve on the panel.
“We think student voices are very important,” she said.
Novack said the committee will hold four online meetings from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Jan. 22, Feb. 26, March 26 and May 14. Applications to join the panel are online at shorturl.at/QYknR.
Only teachers and staff have access to the district’s ChatGPT and Google Gemini artificial intelligence programs, Novack said. Some students can use ChatGPT, which is publicly available, at home, but the Google program is integrated with the district’s domain server and is not accessible to students or the public, she said.
The committee could seek to determine when teachers can share AI tools in classrooms, for example, and teach children how to use them, Novack said.
Administrators said they are excited about exploring AI, but want more detail on the metrics.
“It’s growing so quickly and so quickly,” said Carolina Martin, vice president of the board. She told Novack she was curious about how the district’s digital literacy coaches would be involved.
Novack said she works with coaches to establish safety and ethical guidelines for AI; determine how technology can be used to increase staff efficiency and productivity; and determine how to prevent bias and misinformation. Novack said she gave presentations on AI to every school in the district earlier this year.
Laura Trahan, deputy superintendent of the Marin County Office of Education, said Novack is “a key part of our countywide AI work and is leading and designing the community of practice “.
“The goal of the community of practice is to connect teachers and leaders with tools to increase effectiveness,” Trahan said. “Christy is particularly good at making learning accessible and the use of AI accessible.”
Martin said that “integrating AI and computing into schools is not just about teaching the technology.”
“It’s about equipping students with the skills and mindset to succeed in a world focused on innovation and computational thinking,” Martin said. “Technology is a part of our lives. Whether students make, create, or use these technologies in the future, we have a responsibility to ensure they are responsible and prepared.”
©2024 The Marin Independent Journal (Novato, Calif.). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.