Digital learning specialist reports AI and ed-tech takeaways; staff discuss classroom guidance
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Summary
Digital learning specialist Steve Gagnon summarized key takeaways from a large ed‑tech conference in Texas, including the rise of AI in tool updates and curriculum. Board and staff speakers discussed introducing students to AI safely and teaching news literacy and critical consumption of images and videos.
Steve Gagnon, Stratham’s digital learning specialist, reported on an Austin, Texas education technology conference he attended with 700+ sessions and hundreds of exhibitors. He described three practical aims of conference attendance: reinvigoration, learning about specific tools and app updates, and vetting exhibitor products.
Gagnon said AI dominated sessions and vendor releases. He noted new features in tools used in the district — Book Creator, Soundtrap (podcasting), Canva — and described a News Literacy Project curriculum to help students interrogate images and AI-generated media. “You’ve gotta look at the source... double check it,” Gagnon said.
Board member Eric Herring asked about classroom implications and whether AI will change how teachers teach writing and thinking. Gagnon said he views AI as an assistant for straightforward tasks so teachers can focus on higher-order work, while others argued that avoiding AI entirely is unhelpful. Jess Wentworth and other staff reported using AI in controlled lessons to teach students critical consumption and digital citizenship.
Why it matters: The district is starting to integrate AI-awareness and news-literacy work into digital citizenship lessons. Staff suggested teaching students to treat AI outputs as a resource that needs verification rather than banning tools outright.
Next steps: The district will pilot News Literacy Project materials and continue staff training on AI ethics and classroom use. No formal board action was taken; staff indicated they will report back with implementation suggestions.
