Engage
In the Engage phase, districts and schools investigate how AI is already being used within their communities—even informally. This phase is all about learning from existing practices, gathering evidence, and engaging stakeholders to understand the opportunities and challenges of AI integration. This phase should focus on understanding the context and readiness for AI Integration, encouraging a wide-ranging assessment of current technologies and community experiences.
EXAMPLES OF WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE:
- Recruit an AI Integration Leadership Team: Form a diverse leadership team that includes teachers, administrators, IT staff, and community members to guide AI integration efforts. This team will explore existing AI practices, pilot innovative projects, coordinate district-led initiatives, set guidelines for responsible AI use during initial pilots, and serve as ambassadors for responsible AI use.
- Community Forums: School leaders, teacher groups, and parent associations host in-person or virtual forums where participants discuss everyday AI tools (such as grammar checkers and translation apps), sharing insights on their benefits, concerns, and potential improvements.
- District-Created Professional Development: Develop and offer professional development sessions specifically designed by the district. These sessions will equip educators and staff with the latest skills and knowledge about AI, its applications, best practices, and its responsible and ethical use.
- District-Led Pilot Programs: Educators already using AI—for example, adaptive math or reading platforms—lead small pilot programs, especially with industry and/or community partners, sharing their experiences and collecting real-time feedback.
- Introductory Workshops: Collaborate with local colleges, non-profits, or tech companies to conduct hands-on sessions on basic AI concepts, data privacy, and responsible use. For instance, host a virtual family night where parents and students work together to create an animated character and story using generative AI tools.
- Transparent Communication: Issue newsletters or videos to explain current AI practices, acknowledging both successes and challenges, while establishing advisory councils to guide the process.
OUTCOMES FOR THE PHASE:
- An AI Integration Leadership Team is established with clearly defined roles and a unified vision that will guide AI integration.
- A clear understanding of existing AI usage and its impact within the community.
- Identification of promising practices that can be built upon.
- Early feedback on challenges and risks that will inform later phases.
- A shared vocabulary and initial community buy-in for AI initiatives.
- A tentative timeline for implementation and initial action steps is created.