Stacy Kratochvil, an educator with 18 years of experience, specializes in integrating AI into educational practices. She shares her journey from teaching PE to leading AI fellowship programs for teachers. The discussion highlights practical strategies for embedding AI into curricula while addressing ethical considerations like bias and equitable access. Stacy emphasizes the importance of aligning AI with equity and anti-racism goals and offers insights on fostering critical thinking and empathy among students. It's a practical guide for educators looking to innovate!
Stacy Kratochvil emphasizes the importance of fostering a critical mindset in teachers regarding AI's ethical implications and classroom application.
The AI fellowship program launched by Stacy encourages educators to integrate technology thoughtfully while aligning with equity and inclusion goals.
Deep dives
The Journey into EdTech
Stacey Cradaville's journey into educational technology started five years ago, coinciding with the onset of COVID-19. Initially a PE and dance teacher, she transitioned into an instructional technology coordinator role, which brought her into the EdTech world. This period was marked by a rapid learning curve, as her experience involved supporting other teachers in the shift to distance learning. Stacey’s engagement with workshops and the Krauss Center for Innovation helped her build connections and solidify her role in the EdTech community.
Innovative Professional Development
Stacey initiated a fellowship program focused on AI that allowed teachers to engage in asynchronous training, promoting a thorough understanding of AI's role in education. This program aimed to foster a critical mindset among teachers regarding AI, stressing the importance of ethical considerations and the implications of technology on classroom teaching. By creating a strong framework that included mindful use of AI, teachers were able to shift their focus from merely using technology to understanding how it could enhance their teaching effectiveness. The immediate interest from educators, with 50 teachers signing up for the first cohort, highlighted a significant need for guided exploration of AI in their professional practice.
Empowering Student Agency
The fellowship enabled teachers to rethink their approach to including students in AI discussions, encouraging them to explore ethical issues and the broader impacts of technology. One notable success involved a teacher facilitating fishbowl discussions where students drove the conversation on AI topics independently. This approach not only empowered students to articulate their thoughts but also fostered critical thinking and engagement with ethical dilemmas related to AI. By focusing on developing these human intelligence skills, the program aimed to prepare students for future encounters with AI in various contexts.
Balancing AI Hype and Reality
Stacey emphasized the importance of navigating the balance between the hype surrounding AI and healthy skepticism to ensure effective integration into education. Recognizing that teachers often feel pressured to master all aspects of AI before implementing it, she encouraged a mindset of intentional experimentation and gradual adoption. By linking AI discussions to existing frameworks around equity and humanizing pedagogy, she made it clear that technology should function as an enhancement rather than as a replacement. This strategic connection helps educators to frame their learning and use of AI within the larger context of improving educational equity and personalization.
Practical Insights on AI, Equity, and Education with Stacy Kratochvil
In this episode of My EdTech Life, I sit down with Stacy Kratochvil to share actionable insights into using AI in education. Stacy discusses her journey from teaching PE and dance to becoming a leader in AI education and how her work is making a direct impact in classrooms.
You’ll learn about Stacy’s professional growth through the Krause Center for Innovation and her experience launching an AI fellowship program to help educators like you develop a balanced, ethical approach to AI. We focus on practical ways you can embed AI into your teaching while addressing key challenges like bias, environmental impact, and equitable access.
We also discuss how AI can align with equity and anti-racism goals in education. Stacey shares specific strategies for integrating AI into your existing curriculum to make lessons more engaging, inclusive, and effective.
💡 Key Takeaways for You:
How to get started with AI tools in your classroom or district.
Simple ways to address ethical considerations in teaching with AI.
Strategies to foster critical thinking and empathy in your students.
Steps to align AI use with equity and inclusion goals.
💬 Enjoy the episode? Like, comment, and subscribe to stay updated on the latest in EdTech!
Yellowdig is transforming higher education by building online communities that drive engagement and collaboration. My EdTech Lifeis proud to partner with Yellowdig to amplify its mission.
See how Yellowdig can revolutionize your campus—visit Yellowdig.co today!