Rachelle Dené Poth, author of How to Teach AI, is an excellent example of what happens when you follow your curiosity. As a Spanish teacher, STEAM educator, author, speaker, consultant, and licensed attorney, Poth isn't afraid to explore new ideas, technologies, or opportunities. In doing so, she has served as both a role model and a mentor to her peers looking to innovate in the classroom. Her journey with artificial intelligence is just one of the ways she has shown her willingness to dive into new possibilities in education.

Poth's fascination with AI began in 2017. While researching education writing opportunities, she came across a call for pieces on artificial intelligence. Although she had little experience in the area, it sparked her natural curiosity and she began to wonder how AI could be utilized to enhance the classroom experience for students and teachers. She started researching and eventually put together an in-depth piece on AI and its possibilities for education. The experience inspired her to integrate AI into her classroom, first in small ways and later through more comprehensive projects.

Poth explains, "It just started with my recognition that I could be doing more and asking, 'What is it that I could do?'"

Personalized Learning and Safe Spaces

As an early adopter, Poth has put a lot of thought into the real potential of AI in the world of education. First and foremost, she views it as a tool to enhance teaching methods rather than something that will replace educators. In busy classrooms, Poth believes AI can be used to lighten teachers’ load–and help them better tailor instruction.

"One of the best things about AI is personalized learning. It adapts based on how students respond, giving them exactly what they need at the right time," she says. "AI also allows me to target my lesson plans better and focus on what my students really need."

For example, Poth incorporates chatbots and adaptive learning platforms into her lessons, offering students unique opportunities to practice skills without fear of failure. "AI creates a safe space for students who are afraid of being wrong. They can practice and get feedback without the fear of making mistakes in front of someone else," she explains.

Poth believes that her use of AI into the classroom has provided better experiences for her students and freed her to focus on more high-impact areas, such as one-on-one instruction and interventions. In the end, it has given her more time to work directly with her students.

Ethics, Privacy, and the Challenges of AI

Despite being a champion of AI, Poth is quick to acknowledge some of the shortcomings of classroom use of the technology, including a lack of proper training for teachers and administrators and ongoing concerns around data privacy. She cautions that no one should "go into using AI tools without proper training for everyone involved—administrators, teachers, families. Just because a tool is great doesn't mean it's the right choice without understanding the implications."

Poth urges those interested to do their homework before diving in - read more about what AI is, best practices for incorporating it into the classroom, and important considerations to keep in mind. Understanding how the technology works and when to employ it can help educators and students avoid common pitfalls, like accidentally sharing personally identifiable information or getting caught in an ethical conundrum. Sheincludes many of these topics in her recent book.

"There are a lot of ethical considerations in AI, especially around the output it generates. We need to teach students to use it responsibly and not to replace their learning," she emphasizes.

How to Teach AI

These possibilities and the lack of robust training opportunities led Poth to publish her book recently on teaching with AI. In it, she explores everything from bias and ethics to weaving AI into the curriculum in meaningful ways, including encouraging students to think critically about the use of AI.

"I try to show that everybody can use AI in their teaching," she says. "It's going to look different for each educator, but this is why we need to embrace it."

It’s this ability AI has to offer custom solutions for our unique needs that Poth found so intriguing from the beginning. And once educators understand the mechanics and challenges of the technology, there’s space for innovation to take place.

ISTE Author Profile

Rachelle Dené Poth is an edtech consultant, presenter, attorney, author, and teacher of Spanish and STEAM: Emerging Technology. Rachelle has a Juris Doctor degree from Duquesne University School of Law, a master’s and a doctorate in Instructional Technology. Rachelle specializes in artificial intelligence, AI and the Law, AR/VR, Cybersecurity, SEL, and STEM. She has more than seven years of teaching and presenting on AI in her classroom and working with educators worldwide.

Rachelle is an ISTE-certified educator and recipient of the ISTE Making IT Happen Award and several presidential gold and silver awards for volunteer service. She presents regularly at conferences and provides professional development and coaching for educators as well as keynotes with a strong focus on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, AI and the law, cybersecurity, SEL, and STEM.

Rachelle is the author of nine books, including her most recent book, "How to Teach AI: Weaving Strategies and Activities Into Any Content Area." She is a blogger for CheckIT Learning, Defined Learning, Edutopia, and Getting Smart. Rachelle is also a podcaster. Contact Rachelle via www.Rdene915.com or bit.ly/thriveineduPD.

Christy Matte is the editor for the ISTE blog. She is passionate about lifelong learning, supporting and mentoring young people, and the power of technology as a tool for self-expression. She holds an M.Ed. in Technology in Education from Lesley University and has shared her joy for creative technological pursuits with kids and adults from Manhattan to Manila.

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