• Monday, March 18, 2024, 3:30 - 5:30 PM, In-Person at SMHS Career Center

• Monday, March 25, 2024, 3:30 - 5:30 PM,  Online

• Monday, April 1, 2024, 3:30 - 5:30 PM, Online

• Monday, April 15, 2024, 3:30 - 5:30 PM, In-Person at SMHS Career Center

Elevate your teaching with our 'Fostering Creative and Responsible Learning in Artificial Intelligence,’ workshop series - a specialized training program designed for K-12 educators. Our AI Series focuses on equipping teachers with the knowledge and skills to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their classrooms responsibly and creatively. Throughout the program, educators gain a comprehensive understanding of AI's historical landscape, cultural implications, foundational principles, and language models. We emphasize fostering responsible AI practices, including ethical considerations, data citation, and collaborative creation of an AI Code of Ethics. Additionally, we inspire creative teaching practices with AI through project-based learning and hands-on projects using POIETO AI project-building software. Participants who complete all 4 sessions will receive a POIETO certificate of completion. Join us to enhance your teaching approach, empower your students, and be at the forefront of educational innovation.

• Session I (3/18/24): Exploring the Historical Landscape of AI

  • Educators will learn the historical context of computing technology and the development of Artificial Intelligence.

  • Participants will be introduced to the fundamental paradigms of Artificial Intelligence and their influence on the development of AI Technology.

  • The class will explore the historical successes and failures of AI Technology.

• Session II (3/25/24): AI as a Tool for Cultural Reflection in the Classroom

  • This session will introduce Data Encoding, its challenges and implications.

  • Educators will learn the broad classifications of Modern AI systems.

  • Participants will gain an introductory understanding of specific AI toolchains.

• Session III (4/1/24): Foundations of AI

  • Educators will learn how to incorporate AI tools in everyday creative processes in ways that augment their own and their students creativity.

  • Educators will learn how to guide classroom understanding of AI as a tool that is “socio-technical”. As a form of knowledge representation, AI offers an opportunity for cultural reflection on what is, and is not, included in this representation.

• Session IV (4/15/24): Fostering Responsible Practices in the Use of AI

  • This session will dive into best practices in using AI in classroom settings and at the administration level.

  • Educators will learn best practices, from vetting AI tools to determining goals that are in alignment with student experience and outcomes.

  • Participants will develop their own ‘AI Code of Ethics’, responsive to the particular needs and concerns of the district.

• Who can participate in SMUSD TECH Academy?
  TECH Academy is open to ALL certificated and classified SMUSD staff on a first-come, first-served basis. 
  
  

• When is TECH Academy held?
  All Spring 2024 sessions are held 3:30 PM - 5:30 PM.  Spring 2024 is a four-session workshop series.
  
  

• Where is TECH Academy held?
  The Spring 2024 TECH Academy sessions are in-person on March 18 and April 15. The March 25 and April 1 sessions are virtual. Please account for travel and parking to arrive at your sessions on time.
  
  

• Can I sign up for any of the sessions?
  Spring 2024 participants must attend and complete all four sessions in the series.

• How much do I get paid for participating?
  All participants (certificated and classified) are paid at the $32.40/hour Special Projects rate.  Participants are paid up to 2 hours per session beyond their regular work day. Participants are expected to complete sign-in sheets at each session (virtual attendance will be taken for virtual sessions) so that SMUSD Payroll can process the payment. Please note that if an employee participates during their regular work time, they must seek approval from their supervisor and will be paid extra for the time beyond their regular work day. For example, if a participant typically works through 4:30 pm, the participant would not be paid for the one hour from 3:30-4:30 pm but will get paid 1 hour (for the 4:30-5:30 pm).

• How can I lead a session?
  TECH Academy strongly encourages SMUSD faculty and staff to become Facilitators. Facilitators are provided paid curriculum development and planning time at the curriculum planning rate. Facilitators also receive perks such as invites to Educational Technology conferences and really cool TECH Academy apparel. If you have an interest in facilitating a series or some sessions, please contact schoi@smusd.us.
  
  

• How were these TECH Academy series or sessions created?
  SMUSD Technology Services surveyed SMUSD faculty and staff to identify and prioritize technology professional development needs. The requests are analyzed and paired with the latest technology resources and tools available. Facilitators are matched with available training resources (both internal and external). All sessions are designed to incorporate hands-on activities and include a reflection and sharing component to encourage collaboration among peers. More importantly, every session is designed to be in a small and collaborative setting with an emphasis on having fun while you learn.