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EDLD 5305
Disruptive Innovation in Learning

Implementation Outline

Overview:

 

This plan aims to introduce and encourage the use of AI programs among afterschool program coordinators to enhance efficiency in task management and reduce workload stress. By integrating AI tools into daily operations, staff can streamline administrative tasks such as scheduling, attendance tracking, lesson planning, and communication (Stano, 2024). However, the successful adoption of AI requires quality training to ensure staff members feel confident using these tools while mitigating risks such as digital fatigue and information overload (Duan & Zhao, 2024).

 

Structured AI training ensures coordinators and educators develop strong digital competencies, equipping them with the skills for responsible AI use, data privacy awareness, and effective time management to prevent digital burnout. Research suggests well-designed digital literacy programs can significantly improve productivity and reduce stress (Rutledge, 2023).

Year One: Building Awareness, Buy-In, and Tool Familiarity

 

Objective: Introduce AI to afterschool program coordinators and staff, gain their buy-in, and ensure they are comfortable using various AI tools in their daily tasks. Additionally, provide training on digital competencies, including responsible AI use and strategies to prevent digital burnout.

 

1. Conduct a Poll to Identify Interests: Identify which tasks staff feel AI could most effectively assist with (e.g., lesson planning, attendance, behavior management). Start with the tasks that have the most votes.

  • Action: Send out a short survey asking staff to rate their interest in AI training for a variety of tasks (listed in the table in step 2)

  • Tool: Google Forms, SmartSheet, or Microsoft Forms.

  • Timeline: Month 1 (Before training starts).

2. Monthly Training Sessions (Low-Stakes, Practical)

Goal: Monthly, introduce one new AI tool to improve staff skill sets while addressing digital literacy and wellness.

  • Action: Conduct monthly, 1-hour training sessions on different tools, focusing on hands-on, low-pressure applications.

  • Preparation Phase: Before each session, allocate time to research AI tools, gather best practices, and develop training materials (presentations, guides, and hands-on exercises).

    • Schedule 1-2 weeks before each training session to review AI tools, test functionality, and design training presentations

    • Be sure to include this in the monthly “Time & Effort” report

  • Digital Competency Focus: Each session will include a 10-minute segment on responsible AI use, privacy concerns, and digital well-being.

  • Suggested Training Topics & Tools (Reorganize according to staff interest survey):

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Homework: Each session will conclude with a small practical task to be completed before the next session. Example:

  • Generate an AI-based lesson plan

  • Set up a digital attendance tracking system.

  • Create a digital behavior report for a student.

3. Professional Training Partnerships

  • Goal: Enhance expertise through partnerships with AI trainers and digital wellness educators.

  • Action: Identify and collaborate with AI specialists in education for quarterly professional-led training.

  • Incorporate this training for tasks that require a deeper level of knowledge

  • Funding: Explore grants, local government funding, and internal budgets.

  • Coordinate with Project Directors and supporting vendors (i.e., Victory tutoring) to make the most use of the already retained yearly budget

4. Feedback Collection & Adjustments

  • Goal: Measure the effectiveness of AI adoption and refine training sessions based on staff needs.

  • Action: Monthly surveys to collect feedback on Tool usability, AI effectiveness in tasks, Digital well-being impact

  • Timeline: Ongoing throughout Year 1.

Year 2: Empowering Staff to Use AI in Teaching & Leading AI Training

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Objective: Shift focus from personal AI use to classroom integration, with program coordinators leading AI training for afterschool educators and staff.

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1. Campus Principal Consent & Support

  • Secure approval from campus principals for training teachers and AI integration in the classroom.

  • Timeline: Months 1-2 of Year 2

2. Building Capacity in Program Coordinators

  • Survey individual campus staff to identify which AI tools and features they feel would most benefit their teaching or classroom management

    • Timeline: Month 3 of Year 2

  • Develop a “train-the-trainer” model.

  • Focus on lesson planning, tracking student performance, and adapting teaching methods using AI (total of 3 training sessions).

  • Empower coordinators to practice training sessions during monthly coordinator meetings before introduction to school staff.

  • Preparation: Allocate 1-2 weeks before each training to research tools, develop materials, and practice sessions.

  • Timeline: Months 4-6 of Year 2: One monthly training.

3. Implementation, Continuous Feedback Collection & Data Analysis:

  • Goal: Establish continuous feedback loops by conducting monthly surveys with:

    • Staff Feedback: Gather insights from coordinators on training effectiveness, digital burnout, and AI adoption.

    • Educator Feedback: Collect information on how AI tools are used in teaching, their impact on student engagement, and any challenges faced.

  • Action: Use this feedback to adapt the training and adjust the AI tools introduced.

  • Timeline: Months 5-7 of Year 2 (One month after each training session)

Year 3: Consolidation and Expansion of AI Use

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Objective: Refine AI use across staff and explore advanced applications for student learning.

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1. Initial Student Survey:
  • Goal: Gather baseline feedback from students on their perceptions of AI tools, current AI experiences, and areas where they feel AI could improve their learning.
  • Action: Distribute a survey to assess:
    • How are students currently engaging with AI tools (if at all)?
    • Which aspects of learning would they like to enhance with AI (e.g., personalized learning, creative activities)?
    • Their comfort level with using AI for tasks like art, writing, or problem-solving.
  • Timeline: Month 1 of Year 3. 

2. Refined Training Sessions for Educators (4 Sessions per Year):

  • To ensure that each year remains focused and manageable, limit training to four key sessions for educators.

    • Training 1: Introduction to Advanced AI for Student Learning

    • Training 2: Enhancing Creativity in the Classroom with AI

    • Training 3: Leveraging AI for Student Progress Monitoring

    • Training 4: Promoting AI Ethics and Responsible Use

  • Timeline: Bimonthly training sessions (two per semester)

3. Ongoing Continuous Feedback Collection:

  • Goal: Gather feedback to ensure AI tools remain effective, engaging, and aligned with educator and student needs.

  • Action: Continue monthly surveys and direct feedback from staff, educators, and students.

    • Staff Feedback: Evaluate how AI tools impact workload, task management, and overall well-being.

    • Educator Feedback: Assess the effectiveness of AI in classroom settings, including challenges and improvements.

    • Student Feedback: Analyze the impact of AI on personalized learning, engagement, and creativity.

  • Timeline: Ongoing throughout Year 3.

4. Consolidate Staff Feedback & Continuous Improvement:

  • Conduct a comprehensive review at the end of Year 3 to assess:

    • Most impactful tools

    • Areas for improvement

    • Potential expansion to more campuses/tools

    • Future AI tool priorities based on ongoing feedback.

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References

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Duan, H., & Zhao, W. (2024). The effects of educational artificial intelligence-powered applications on teachers’ perceived

                    autonomy, professional development for online teaching, and digital burnout. International Review of

                    Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 25(3), 57–76.

Rutledge, P. (2023, September 11). Digital literacy builds protective internal strengths for every tech use. Fielding Graduate

                    University. https://www.fielding.edu/why-is-digital-literacy-so-often-overlooked-as-a-solution/

Stano, E (2024, December 3). AI and teacher burnout: Can technology really help? eSchool News.

                    https://www.eschoolnews.com/digital-learning/2024/12/03/ai-burnout-teachers-help/

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