Week 3 Reflection – Darcy Mcnee – Curriculum & Innovation in School District 63

This week Darcy Mcnee, District Teacher Leader from School District 63 came to speak to our class about the use of AI in Saanich schools. What stood out to me the most about her conversation was how impactful AI’s ability to “place” someone in any given environment can be on education. How doing such a thing can increase student interest and engagement and therefore in turn improve their learning.

She showed us various AI tools that are approved for use in her district, which includes elementary, middle, and high school levels, to enhance the learning and teaching process. She explained how AI can offer valuable support to complement human interaction, not replace it. The framework for generative AI in Saanich schools can be found here: Generative AI in Saanich Schools | Saanich Schools. This framework outlines the fact that AI applications that are approved by the district respect data and privacy rights, have procedures to mitigate risks, and have been screened to ensure that they are inclusive, accessible, and equitable.

One example she gave was the AI app: Do Ink which enables students the ability to use a green screen. For an assignment for her Grade 6 students, she had them put themselves in the role of a cacao farmer and explain what their life would be like. Prior to using this app, the students’ work was not very descriptive, and lacked creativity. Once students used the app their writing became very descriptive as they were able to visualize what life would be like rather than just having to imagine it.

Another example she gave was the AI app: Minecraft for Education which allows students to immerse themselves in the lives of Indigenous Peoples rather than just having to learn about it from a textbook in a one-dimensional manner. The app enabled them to enter a world in which they became characters who interacted with Indigenous Peoples and completed missions that involved things such as catching salmon and stripping cedar.

Overall, I enjoyed the fact that rather than talking about the dangers of using AI in a classroom, she gave examples of how she has seen firsthand how it can positively impact her students’ learning. I actually don’t recall her mentioning any concerns, as any that there may have been around things such as privacy and equity have been considered when the district approved these apps. I do however have some concerns as to whether apps like this will impact students’ ability to creatively and imaginatively think without a starting point being given to them, especially if used in the primary grades.

For anyone that is interested in knowing more about Do Ink, here is a link to a tutorial on how it works: https://youtu.be/8IEJA7hbyUk?si=wZMiBuuw2C9-JtVP and for Minecraft Education Edition, here is a link to a getting started tutorial: https://youtu.be/2lRnrlYny78?si=5Ydi213dcYLsmXl0.