Professional Community Explores the Power of Artificial Intelligence During In-Service Day

St. Margaret’s professional community had an in-service day devoted to artificial intelligence and its future in education.  

 

The day was led by a guest keynote speaker and workshop facilitator, Dr. John Spencer, who is an educator and author of The A.I. Roadmap: Human Learning in the Age of Smart Machines. Dr. Spencer kicked off the in-service day in Hurlbut Theater, speaking about artificial intelligence and its future both in society and in schools. 

 

In his remarks, Dr. Spencer mentioned integrating artificial intelligence “in a way that humanizes instead of dehumanizes.” He reminded St. Margaret’s professional community that as technology is rapidly evolving, human qualities like wonder, curiosity, adaptability and empathy remain the driving force of the future—and are more valuable than ever. 

 

After speaking, Dr. Spencer led three workshops for the professional community to engage in:

The in-service day was organized and led by Stephanie Capen, St. Margaret’s director of institutional research, and Angela Mackenzie, director of educational technology and library. 

 

“In the roundtable format, professional community members across departments and divisions engaged in discussions of how we, as educators, can unlock the possibilities that technology like A.I. tools provide, to elevate or exchange the best teaching and learning practices we already do with students, as guided by our mission and core values,” Dr. Capen said.