Team Duval teachers are diving headfirst into the future of education and they're not alone in their journey—Artificial Intelligence (AI) is coming along for the ride. In an effort to make educators' jobs a bit easier, the district is harnessing AI tools and resources to create engaging classroom experiences and even generate test questions.
As noted by Duval County Public Schools' own Katy Stouffer, district director of Data and Assessment, "It just makes teachers' lives easier," according to an article on the school district's website. Now more than over 45,000 items have been generated by their AI program PowerBuddy, which saves time and offers customization such as language and reading level options.
The AI's potential to ease the burden on teachers and enhance students' learning is a driving factor behind the introduction of an upcoming AI Institute. With this initiative, educators are expected to gain immersive learning and hands-on experiences in AI. Meanwhile, Holly Lanham, Director of Technology Innovation, remarks in a statement obtained by DCPS News, "We have been deliberate about focusing on teacher support to begin with." Lanham emphasizes that these resources will not only lighten their load but also inspire more creativity in their teaching, as noted by Duval County Public Schools' news release.
PowerBuddy, an AI feature acting as a tool for teachers, is integrated into Performance Matters. This program is traditionally used by the district for administering tests and analyzing data, but with the AI add-on, educators can prompt the system to generate tailored test questions and passages based on specific benchmarks—Stouffer told DCPS News. Strict guidelines including data security, privacy, user controls, and age-appropriate content ensure ethical standards are met regarding PowerBuddy's use.
Despite initially offering limited seating, Lanham remains optimistic about the growth and acceptance of AI within the district, stating, "I do believe that this is something our district is going to lean into instead of trying to push away from." According to an article published by the Duval County Public Schools, their approach is to teach educators to use AI in ways that are both ethical and safe.
