By Baylee Lindell Schneier

Remember in the early 2000s when schools first started rolling out 1:1 laptop programs, and the debate was intense? For some, it felt like a revolution in education, where students could finally bridge the digital divide and have the world at their fingertips. But for others, it seemed like Pandora’s box – inviting distractions, screen addiction, and technology dependency. Studies as recent as 2022 have continued to explore the impacts of 1:1 technology on student engagement and academic success, showing a range of results. On the positive side, students reported feeling more engaged, organized, and empowered by having access to digital tools that made assignments easier to complete. Teachers also saw improved collaboration among students and increased proficiency in everyday technology skills (The Impacts of 1:1…). 

Fast forward to today, and we’re seeing the same debate—but this time, the game-changer is AI. Just like with laptops, some see AI as a distraction or crutch, while others view it as the future of personalized learning and innovative teaching. One thing is certain: AI is already here, shaping industries and classrooms alike. Whether you’re excited or hesitant, educators and administrators need to adapt to this new wave of technology. The good news? There are key skills you can equip yourself with to not just survive but thrive in this AI-powered world. 

5 Skills Educators and Administrators Need to Stay Ahead in AI-Driven Education: 

1. Data Literacy: Data literacy involves understanding how to read and interpret data and how to critically evaluate its quality, relevance, and potential biases. In an educational context, this means being able to analyze student performance data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for intervention. It also involves understanding how to use data to inform curriculum design, resource allocation, and policy decisions. 
   • Tools for Data Literacy: 
     • Tableau: For data visualization and analysis 
     • Google Data Studio: For creating interactive dashboards 
     • Domo: Integrate data from different systems to better understand finance/billing 

2. AI Ethics and Digital Responsibility: With great power comes great responsibility. As AI automates more tasks and decisions, educators must understand the ethical implications of using AI in the classroom. From issues like data privacy to bias in AI algorithms, knowing how to apply AI responsibly is crucial to maintaining trust and fairness in education. Educators need to be able to critically evaluate AI tools and their outputs, and teach students to do the same. 
   • Tools for Ethics and Digital Responsibility: 
     • AI Fairness 360: Open-source toolkit to check for biases in datasets and models 
     • Ethics & Algorithms Toolkit: Helps assess the risk of algorithmic harm 

3. Adaptability to New Tools: The AI landscape is evolving rapidly, with new tools emerging all the time. Teachers and administrators must develop a mindset of adaptability—being open to experimenting with AI-driven tools, learning how they work, and integrating them into their instructional design and administrative processes without feeling overwhelmed. 
   • Tools for Adapting: 
     • Fast.ai: For practical deep learning for coders 
     • Beautiful.ai: Creates AI-powered presentations 
     • Scholarcy: Uses AI to summarize research papers and create flashcards 

4. Collaborative Problem-Solving: AI isn’t replacing teachers, but it’s changing the way we approach problems in education. It allows educators to focus on higher-order thinking and collaboration. Teachers who can use AI to streamline tasks like grading or lesson planning will have more time to develop collaborative projects and creative solutions with their students and peers. 
   • Tools for Collaborative Problem-Solving: 
     • MindMeister: Provides AI-assisted mind mapping 
     • Notion AI: Enhances collaborative document creation with AI writing assistance 

5. Continuous Professional Development: Just as AI never stops learning, neither should educators. Professional development focused on understanding AI’s capabilities, limitations, and best practices is essential. Staying curious and continually updating your skills will ensure you remain at the forefront of the AI revolution in education.
   • Tools for Continuous Professional Development: 
     • UnconstrainED: Offers multiple courses for developing AI skills in education 
       • AI for Learning Design 
       • AI for Leaders 
       • AI for Assessments 
       • AI for Data Analysis 
       • AI for Differentiation