Artifact #12- Artificial Intelligence Case Study

Description:

This Artificial Intelligence Case Study was completed individually in Fall 2024 for the Educational Leadership and Technology course with Professor Li. One of the focuses of this course was the development of technology plans at the school district and state levels. This assignment looks at the recent advances of artificial intelligence (AI), how it is being integrated into my school, and a reflection on how the integration process is going. My school for this case study was Red Pump Elementary in Harford County Public Schools, a school located in Bel Air, Md with a large community and a lot of parent involvement. The population is diverse consisting of students of different races, 20% FARMS, 25% multilingual learners and about 16% of students with disabilities. 

This case study looks at my school, population and how they are currently using technology including the access that students have to devices. Then, it looks at how the county is integrating AI into the school system in regards to the initial steps, tools, and programs, in addition to how leaders and the community were involved with this process. An evaluation is given on the effectiveness of the plan, along with challenges that are being faced and a reflection.

 

Standard Alignment:

Standard #1- Change Agent

1a. Create a shared vision and culture for using technology to learn and accelerate transformation through the coaching process.

This study helps to create a shared vision of how AI is being used and integrated into our school system. It lays out the integration process that has happened so far along with the challenges that are being faced. Servant leadership is a leadership style that is discussed in this process to help learn and accelerate transformation in our schools.

 

Standard #7- Digital Citizen Advocate

7a. Inspire and encourage educators and students to use technology for civic engagement and to address challenges to improve their communities.

This case study sheds light on the knowledge that educators have on AI and how it has been implemented and used so far in my school district. This study may inspire and encourage educators to look into using AI technology further to seek out potential trainings for AI technology to address risks and challenges according to survey results. 

7b. Partner with educators, leaders, students and families to foster a culture of respectful online interactions and a healthy balance in their use of technology.

This case study stresses the importance of partnering with all members involved in education for input in regards to AI. AI may have a big impact on education and having all parts of the community on board including educators, leaders, students and families is important to foster a healthy balance of use of technology and awareness towards the online interactions and teaching of digital citizenship. This case study shows how this partnership is taking place currently in the county.

 

Reflection:

The Artificial Intelligence Case Study was a case study that looked at my current position in Harford County Public Schools as a first-grade teacher at Red Pump Elementary. This case study included an overview of my school, its population and the usage of technology. The population being diverse and consisting of students of different races, 20% FARMS, 25% multilingual learners and about 16% of students with disabilities. It further studied how the AI integration process is occurring, how leaders were involved and the effectiveness of the plan along with the challenges that are being faced. 

The case study meets the ISTE change agent standard 1a by laying out the current integration process of AI in the school system along with some of the challenges being faced. The study suggests servant leadership being beneficial in this integration process to help learn and accelerate transformation in regards to AI in our school.

This study also meets the ISTE digital citizen advocate standard by meeting the first two indicators. The study sheds light on the overall knowledge of AI in the school community through survey results. These results may inspire and encourage educators to look into using AI technology further by seeking out potential training  to address risks and challenges. The study also stresses the importance of partnering with all members involved with the educational system in making decisions regarding AI including the risks that may be associated. This open communication between all members can help with fostering a culture of respectful online interactions and healthy balance of technology use going forward.

It will be interesting to see how AI continues to be integrated into the school system. There are a lot of important factors to consider throughout the process to be sure that it is integrated safely and with training opportunities for educators and students available. I do believe that the integration of AI through the pre-survey that the county sent out to educators and students has been an effective way to move forward with decisions in the county.