Strategies for Incorporating AI Regulations into Career Growth Curriculums
Callie Salaymeh, an Instructional Technology Coach and Biology teacher at Lyons Township High School, is making waves in the education sector. As Head of Community for Enlightened AI, Salaymeh is also an advocate for increasing AI literacy among staff, a mission that has seen her adopt a collaborative and practical approach to AI integration in the school's professional development (PD) plan.
Collaborative Development of Clear Guidelines
Recognising the importance of involving teachers and staff in the creation of AI usage guidelines, Salaymeh emphasises co-creation to ensure the guidelines are practical and aligned with the school's educational goals. This approach fosters buy-in and ensures the guidelines address real classroom needs.
Integrating AI Ethics and Practical Use
Salaymeh's approach balances teaching ethical considerations around AI tools with hands-on training on how to use them responsibly and effectively for instruction and student learning. This balance equips educators with the knowledge to make informed decisions about AI usage.
Ongoing, Differentiated Professional Development
Rather than one-off sessions, Salaymeh advocates for ongoing PD that meets educators at various levels of AI familiarity and comfort. This approach provides beginner to advanced workshops, resources, and continuous support, ensuring that every educator can develop their AI skills at their own pace.
Embedding AI Tools into Curriculum and Assessment
Salaymeh promotes integrating AI into teaching and assessment practices thoughtfully, guiding educators on when and how AI tools can enhance learning while maintaining academic integrity.
Modeling Transparent AI Use
Salaymeh encourages educators to model ethical AI use themselves, showing students how to leverage AI as a tool rather than a shortcut. This approach supports skill development in critical thinking and digital literacy.
Providing Resources and Support Structures
Establishing a support system—like an AI resource hub, peer coaching, or a dedicated committee—helps educators stay updated on AI developments and refine their practices.
Feedback and Revision Cycle
Salaymeh’s strategy incorporates regular feedback from teachers and students to revise guidelines and PD offerings, ensuring they remain relevant and effective as AI technology evolves.
The Impact of Salaymeh's Approach
Salaymeh's professional development sessions have helped to increase tech literacy among teachers. Her focus on AI literacy is essential for teachers to prepare for the increasing integration of AI in education.
Including students in the discussion about AI guidelines is also recommended by Salaymeh. By doing so, students can develop a better understanding of AI's role in their learning and contribute to the creation of guidelines that foster a safe and effective learning environment.
Recognition for Innovative Leadership
Salaymeh's innovative approach to AI integration in education has not gone unnoticed. She was recently recognised with the Best Example of Professional Development at a Tech & Learning Regional Leadership Summit, receiving an Innovative Leader Award.
With a team of five technology coaches serving a staff of 280 teachers and about 500 faculty members in total, Salaymeh's school district is at the forefront of AI integration in education. Developing a working knowledge of AI is crucial for teachers to stay ahead of the curve and prepare for the future of education.
Salaymeh's journey into AI began in August 2023 when she joined a Slack community formed by Amanda Bickerstaff, cofounder of AI In Education. Through this community, Salaymeh learned more about AI and collaborated with her team of tech coaches to develop a comprehensive professional development session on AI.
In the last semester of spring 2024, Salaymeh focused on increasing AI literacy among staff. She proposed and started a task force for AI, using resources from TeachAI and AI for Education, and introduced the stop light guidelines in August of 2024. These guidelines provide a system for teachers to determine whether to use AI in assignments: Green Light for full use, Yellow Light for limited use at the teacher's discretion, and Red Light for no use.
Tools like MagicSchool, Brisk, EnlightenAI, and ChatGPT are part of Salaymeh's tech toolbox, each offering unique possibilities for enhancing teaching and learning. As AI continues to evolve, Salaymeh's commitment to ethical, practical, and collaborative AI integration in education will undoubtedly shape the future of education for the better.
- Callie Salaymeh, with a collaborative approach, develops clear AI usage guidelines in alignment with the school's educational goals, ensuring teacher buy-in and addressing real classroom needs.
- Salaymeh's PD plan emphasizes balancing ethical AI considerations with practical, hands-on training, equipping teachers to make informed decisions about AI usage.
- Salaymeh advocates for ongoing, differentiated PD sessions that cater to educators at various levels of AI familiarity and comfort.
- Salaymeh promotes thoughtful integration of AI into curriculum and assessment practices, enhancing learning while maintaining academic integrity.
- Salaymeh encourages educators to model ethical AI use, demonstrating AI as a tool for skill development in critical thinking and digital literacy.
- Establishing a support system, such as an AI resource hub, peer coaching, or a dedicated committee, helps educators stay updated on AI developments and refine their practices.
- Salaymeh focuses on feedback and revision cycles to ensure PD offerings and guidelines remain relevant and effective as AI technology evolves.
- Salaymeh's innovative approach to AI integration in education has earned her recognition, receiving the Best Example of Professional Development award at a Tech & Learning Regional Leadership Summit.
- Salaymeh's school district, with its tech coach team, is at the forefront of AI integration, requiring teachers to develop a working knowledge of AI to stay ahead in the future of education.
