When discussing the new Generative AI apps and education, the focus is mainly on how students might use AI tools to cheat and unethically complete writing assignments. That is not a big issue for Trade and Technical teachers. However, AI will also be embedded into daily technology use, and employees must be familiar with AI. For students entering the trades, your students are already learning to adapt to the rapid changes in tools and techniques. Most AI for the trades will simply be embedded within more sophisticated tools for measurement, operation, design, or testing. CTE prepares students to adapt to new technology; AI will be just another gradual step.
However, what about the professional use for Trade and Technical Teachers? Do you need to learn about AI, and can it help you with your instruction and assessment? The answer is, Yes!
AI has drawn much attention, primarily from investors trying to determine who will be the next Apple or Amazon. Even with all the hype, AI is far from replacing teachers. Generative AI is impressive in its ability to scan and summarize vast volumes of text and complete readable summaries of that data much faster than a human. AI can access much information about the skills used by carpenters, technicians, or cosmetologists. However, it doesn’t know details about your students, your program's structure, equipment, and your experience and skills as a teacher. Current or even promising AI technology cannot replace you and teach your students your trade.
However, there are three ways that Generative AI can enhance your teaching. As a professional, you are responsible for continuing to improve your teaching. The three ways AI can help you are brainstorming, supporting, and empowering.
Brainstorming
One of the impressive functions of most Generative AI tools, such as Chat GPT, is to search and organize new ideas. Every teacher is limited by experience in developing new ideas for an improved teaching approach. We often teach as we have been taught. You might brainstorm with a colleague or read an article that could generate fresh ideas. However, the AI app Chat GPT can generate dozens of ideas in seconds. It cannot create an idea that will always be perfect; you, as a teacher, can best design the workable idea. But you have many more ideas to choose from, more than you can think of in a short amount of time from your own experience.
For example, you could use a Generative AI app to brainstorm ideas, such as a new game you might use to increase student interest, a more exciting way to teach safety, a new type of assessment, or identifying more career fields that relate to your trade. When stuck with a teaching problem, think about using AI to brainstorm.
Supporting
AI can also support a multitude of teacher tasks. Several AI tools, such as MagicSchool.AI and Eduaide, are specifically designed for educators. These are primarily support tools such as creating student worksheets, lesson plans, assessment rubrics, or parent letters. Almost all writing tasks for instructional or administrative purposes have been written by someone else. AI apps can retrieve, analyze, and draft content to make the task less burdensome. The AI results are not always perfect and need to be edited and revised to meet your needs, but they can reduce your work time in creating teaching materials.
Empowering
Empowering is about improving your teaching skills. You are a technical professional in your career field. However, the development of teaching skills is more limited, and the complex world of education is often confusing. Just as AI is good at listing new ideas, it is also excellent at summarizing and making things easier to understand. Perhaps you hear a colleague or administrator mention education jargon such as Special Ed. TMSS or Lexile Reading Level. Ask ChatGPT or another app to explain that phrase, and you get an instant, easy-to-read explanation. Sometimes, you read a passage of education jargon and have no idea what it means after reading it. You can paste that passage into an app to get a more straightforward passage. Often, education initiatives seem to relate only to elementary grades or academic teachers. Rather than ignoring that initiative, use an AI app to explain any connection this has to your technical field. AI apps can provide you with helpful information and knowledge to grow in the teaching profession.
Summary
Don’t overlook the impact of AI in your daily Trade and Technical teaching. This exciting new technology can help you brainstorm new ideas, support instructional planning, and empower you as a professional educator.
9-13-24 Richard Jones
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