Webinar to Examine AI's Place in Teacher Preparation and Continuing Education
The American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education released a framework in August urging university programs to prepare teachers for both benefits and drawbacks of AI in schools. An EdWeek Research Center survey of teacher educators will be unpacked, covering topics like ethical AI use, grade-level restrictions, and training teachers to use AI to ease their workload. The 30-minute session will address challenges prospective teachers may face with AI in future classrooms.
The American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education issued guidance in August urging university programs to incorporate AI literacy into their curricula, addressing both opportunities and risks. The upcoming session will present findings from an EdWeek Research Center survey of teacher educators nationwide, offering a snapshot of current institutional practices and attitudes.
The 30-minute webinar, moderated by deputy managing editor Kevin Bushweller, will explore how programs can model ethical AI use, whether restrictions should vary by grade level, and how AI tools might reduce teacher administrative burdens. Attendees will also consider obstacles new teachers may encounter when integrating AI into classrooms. A transcript will be available within five business days.
This webinar could influence how teacher preparation programs nationwide approach AI training, potentially shaping the skills and attitudes of the next generation of educators. If programs adopt the framework's guidance, new teachers may enter classrooms better equipped to navigate AI's ethical complexities and practical applications. However, the survey results may reveal uneven adoption across institutions, creating disparities in how well-prepared teachers are to handle AI-related challenges. Students in K-12 classrooms could ultimately benefit from more thoughtful AI integration, though outcomes will depend on how seriously programs take this emerging issue.