The Public Council of Ontario Directors of Education (PCODE) hosted an AI symposium on Friday, October 24 at the Peel District School Board to discuss the future of AI in the classroom.
"This gathering reflects the critical importance of leadership in shaping how artificial intelligence will influence teaching, learning, and organizational practices in K-12 education. The opportunities ahead are significant, but so too are the challenges," said Peter Sovran, PCODE & AI Committee Chair and Director of Education at the UGDSB.
Special guest Dr. Rhonda McEwen, President of Victoria College at the University of Toronto, kicked off the event with an enthralling and entertaining keynote speech.
"One in three Canadians think AI will hurt us," Dr. McEwen referenced. "Seventeen percent think we should not be doing this at all."
Some solutions for how to better assess students in the classroom that Dr. McEwen had, included oral exams and peer assessment.
"Use the other humans in the room to do some of that assessment," she recommended. "Incorporate AI into the assignment and let the students tell you where the AI is not catching things what did the AI do that was literally incorrect."
The group of educators then had breakout sessions to attend before regrouping to hear from Minister of Education, Paul Calandra. Another breakout season followed after lunch before the afternoon wrapped with a panel discussion from leaders in the AI field and a student panel discussion to give their insights into how AI is affecting their learning.
To learn more about how the the UGDSB is incorporating AI into the classroom, visit https://www.ugdsb.ca/page/ai-at-ugdsb.
