In this episode, I introduce my Skills Before Tools: K–12 AI Implementation Guide and what we can learn from past EdTech rollouts that missed the mark.
Too often, schools rush to adopt new tools without first building the skills students and teachers need to use them well, and AI raises the stakes even higher. I walk through the five through-line skills that anchor the guide, skills that matter in every grade level and content area, with or without AI. We also explore how this approach helps schools avoid reactive decision-making and instead design a thoughtful, developmentally appropriate progression for AI use.
If you’re a school or district leader trying to make sense of AI without chasing the next shiny tool, this conversation will give you a grounded place to start.
The Balance, by Dr. Catlin Tucker