The February 2025 meeting of the Harnessing AI for Educators Working Group centered on exploring Magic School AI, discussing AI applications in teaching, and planning future workshops and collaborations. One member led a presentation on Magic School AI, a platform offering over 80 AI-powered tools designed to support educators in tasks such as rubric creation, quiz generation, and assignment grading. Participants had the opportunity to explore the platform, experience features like custom chatbot creation and share his experiences using the Choice Board tool to introduce AI concepts.
The discussion expanded to the broader use of AI in teaching, emphasizing its role in providing immediate feedback, enhancing student comprehension, and accelerating learning. While participants recognized the benefits of AI-assisted instruction, they also acknowledged the importance of maintaining human interaction in the learning process. The group reflected on the challenge of balancing professional responsibilities with time for exploring new AI tools and integrating them effectively into their teaching practices.
A key topic of the meeting was the proposal for a workshop on prompt engineering, which was suggested as a hands-on opportunity for educators to refine their AI interactions. Members shared various AI resources, including Ethan Mollick’s website for introductory materials, and insights from a New York Academy of Sciences workshop focused on advancing AI literacy in New York City public schools. One member announced the launch of an AI implementation group within the academy to develop an educator toolkit.
The meeting concluded with a resource exchange, featuring links to AI literacy materials, prompt engineering guides, and professional development opportunities. Participants expressed interest in continuing discussions on AI’s role in education and collaborating on best practices for implementation. Looking ahead, the group plans to further explore AI applications, refine instructional strategies, and develop resources to support educators in leveraging AI effectively in the classroom.
Note: summaries are written with aid of AI text software