Exciting Edtech & AI Updates for Summer 2024

Even though I planned to take the summer off, I couldn't resist sharing some fantastic updates and resources I've come across. This is my first Monday of summer vacation, and while I'm missing ISTE this year, I've been following along with the #iste24 hashtag and my friend Wanda Terral's feed, who has been posting some excellent highlights.

Key Highlights so far ISTE 2024

1. Easing the Burden on Schools: Five Quality Indicators for Edtech & AI Products

ISTE, in collaboration with organizations like Digital Promise, Project Unicorn, and CoSN, has developed five essential criteria for evaluating educational technology and AI tools: safety, evidence-based practices, inclusivity, usability, and interoperability. These standards aim to help educators select effective and reliable tools, reducing the burden on schools. Read the full article here.

2. New Digital Citizenship Lessons by ISTE and ASCD

ISTE and ASCD have released new Digital Citizenship Lessons designed to develop students' digital citizenship skills across all grade levels. Covering competencies like digital literacy, etiquette, health and wellness, privacy and security, and digital footprint, these lessons support transformative learning experiences and prepare students for the digital world. Read more here.

3. Google’s AI-Powered Enhancements for Education

Google is showcasing new AI-powered features in Google Workspace and Chromebooks at ISTE 2024. These include AI-powered reading tools, Gemini for personalized student support, and tools for differentiated instruction. The updates aim to support educators by simplifying lesson planning and enhancing student engagement while ensuring a secure learning environment. Read the full article here.

Other Tools Worth Checking Out

1. Simple Starters for AI Literacy and Digital Citizenship Learning

Lisa Blank and Carrie Rogers-Whitehead's blog post on ISTE offers practical ideas for integrating AI and digital citizenship into classrooms. It highlights the overlap between AI and digital citizenship in areas like media literacy, online safety, and ethics, providing grade-specific activities to equip students with critical thinking skills for navigating the digital world. Read the full article here.

2. Library Robot’s AI-Driven Tools

Library Robot offers AI-driven tools for enhancing library services, including a Book Finder, Book Summarizer, Library Programming Assistant, LOC Authority Record Finder, Talk to a Book, Search Query Optimizer, and an ESL Reading Passage Creator. These tools assist in finding books, summarizing content, planning programs, and more. Learn more at Library Robot.

Free Learning Opportunity: Teaching and Learning with AI Mini-Conference

The Learning Revolution's "Teaching and Learning with AI" mini-conference will be held online on June 27, 2024. This free event, chaired by Reed C. Hepler, explores the impact of generative AI on education, addressing topics such as privacy, equity, ethics, and pedagogy. Keynote speakers include Dr. Laura Dumin, Dr. David Wiley, Jason Gulya, and Dr. Tazin Daniels. The conference features practitioner-based presentations and encourages global collaboration among educators. Read more and register here.

Concluding Thoughts

As we embrace the summer break, it's exciting to see how AI and edtech continue to evolve and support our educational environments. Whether you're exploring new digital citizenship lessons or discovering AI-driven tools for your library, these resources offer valuable insights and practical applications. Stay tuned for more updates and enjoy your summer learning journey!

Happy summer, and happy learning!

Feel free to reach out with any questions or share your experiences with these tools and resources. Let's keep the conversation going at our Facebook Page!