Lynn Superintendent of Schools Dr. Evonne Alvarez has been invited to participate in a panel discussion on artificial intelligence (AI) in education at the upcoming 2024 Magnet Schools of America Summer Symposium in Denver. The three-day event will bring together educators to explore various aspects of AI, including data analytics, ethical concerns, personalized learning, and future technology trends.
Dr. Alvarez will join Colorado Springs District 11 Superintendent Michael Gaal and Aurora Public Schools Superintendent Michael Giles Jr. on the panel titled “How Education Leaders are Thinking about AI.” Her role will involve moderating the conversation between superintendents and sharing her experiences in implementing AI programs for students.
The symposium aims to equip educators with valuable insights that can be applied to enhance STEM programming in their respective districts. Dr. Alvarez emphasized the importance of discussing these topics, as research indicates that a majority of individuals lack understanding in data science. She believes that preparing students for the future requires them to comprehend the components of AI they will encounter.
Keynote speaker Hadi Partovi, CEO of Code.org, will address the symposium. Dr. Alvarez expressed her interest in bringing programs like Code.org to Lynn’s schools, highlighting the significance of teaching coding as an early language. The district already offers BeatBots, a coding-related activity for preschoolers, and plans to introduce coding languages such as C++, Python, and Java into middle and high school curriculums.
Dr. Alvarez stressed the importance of starting STEM education early, as it requires discipline from a young age. She emphasized that incorporating STEM into curriculums is crucial for students to develop proficiency, as data science and AI are integral to future careers.
Considering that 77% of the district’s K-12 students are English language learners, Dr. Alvarez also discussed how AI can enhance their English literacy. She believes that AI can effectively support language acquisition by providing direct interaction with software that teaches the language. However, she urged educators to view AI as a tool to help students reach their full potential, rather than something they become dependent on.
Addressing concerns about AI, Dr. Alvarez reminded people that robots lack emotions. She provided an example from an English language arts class, where a robot could provide a quick response to analyzing an author’s purpose, but an educator could help the student understand the emotion and meaning behind the text. She emphasized the responsibility of educators to teach students how to use AI ethically and responsibly.