Presentation Title: “AI Tools for K-12: Streamlining Teaching with Innovation”

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the educational landscape, offering powerful tools for enhancing teaching efficiency, personalizing learning, and streamlining administrative tasks. Despite its potential, many educators remain hesitant to adopt AI due to concerns about complexity, ethical implications, and the fear of being replaced. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into everyday technology and student life, it is essential for teachers to understand and embrace its role as an educational ally rather than a threat.

**Purpose and Scope**

This session is designed to demystify AI for educators and provide practical, actionable strategies for integrating AI tools into teaching and learning. The presentation will:

- Offer a foundational overview of what AI is—and what it is not—clarifying its capabilities and limitations in the classroom.
- Highlight beginner-friendly AI tools that automate routine tasks such as grading, lesson planning, and communication, freeing up valuable time for teachers to focus on impactful instruction.
- Demonstrate how AI can be incorporated into lesson plans to foster student engagement, creativity, and critical thinking, including ethical discussions and hands-on projects.
- Address key ethical considerations, including data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the importance of maintaining human-centered teaching values.
- Share best practices for building a culture of innovation, supporting professional development, and creating communities of practice among educators to encourage sustainable AI adoption.

**Audience and Relevance**

This session will be most valuable for K-12 and higher education teachers, instructional technologists, IT staff, administrators, and education leaders interested in leveraging AI to enhance teaching and learning. Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of AI’s potential, practical entry points for classroom integration, and resources for ongoing professional growth. The content is tailored to the needs of West Virginia’s public sector and non-profit education professionals, addressing both opportunities and challenges unique to these settings.

**Key Takeaways**

- Concrete strategies for starting small with AI tools and scaling up integration.
- Examples of successful AI use cases in education, including classroom activities and administrative efficiencies.
- Guidance on fostering a supportive environment for AI adoption, including professional learning communities and ethical frameworks.

By reframing AI as a partner in education, this session aims to empower teachers to confidently embrace innovation and prepare students for a future shaped by intelligent technologies.