What is AI and why is it beneficial?
AI is a powerful tool to harness information. As a traditionally trained and taught student and teacher, I think first, is anything original anymore? But, if there is a tool to help students and teachers dive deeper into learner by facilitating processes, then why not? Through AI, you can open up ideas to students, give them a bigger and more diverse vocabulary and help them to edit and revise writing, thus imparting these skills to them. AI can be abused and it is important to explicitly teach students and teachers how to use this powerful tool.
Why should librarians be on the frontline of the capabilities of AI?
Librarians are the leaders of information in the school and community. As technologies advances continue to tranform at an amazing rate, it is our jobs to make clarity of these digital tools. If students do not learn the what, how and why from us, these tools can be misused, abused and not utilized to their potential.
While completing an assignment for a Digital Technology class, ChatGPT blew me away. Admittedly, I have not wanted to dive into AI because it is one more thing I have to learn. But, what a tool to learn! My search criteria was: "Make a newsletter presenting a summer reading program for kindergarten students." The information that was queued included a title, program highlights, notes, benefits of the program and how to stay connected. The information was valid and useful to the specific age and could be tweaked and edited so easily to fit your specific needs. I had a revelation that is has to be taught to teachers and can save so much time and headspace in many different ways. I am excited to check out of AI resources.
