Is AI Enhancing or Erasing Identity in Education?
Jean Darnell
Themes: Engagement, Ethical challenges in using AI, How I’ve been using AI, Lesson planning, Specific AI Tool(s)
Audience & Subject: Grades 7-8, Grades 9-12; General, Literacy, Science & Technology, Administrative leadership & policy creation
Introduction
This accompanies a presentation examining the biases and privacy concerns embedded in Generative AI from an advocate perspective. Because school librarians are frontline champions in their communities and education campuses, this session offered a unique perspective based on technology, literacy and journalism. The audience received a variety of resources ranging from mental health services and technology programs to literacy and engagement activities. Having said that, attendees focused on the challenge of ensuring ethical and inclusive AI tech in student-generated AI policy writing and investigative journalism. The presentation analyzed data submitted by marginalized communities on how AI impacted their lives for the better and worse. Additionally, this session addressed how some algorithms of AI affect privacy & may violate constitutional rights. Although we ran out of time for the breakout activity included below due to wonderful questions, all attendees received a copy of the presentation via the chat links and contact information of the presenter. There were two bits of data collected on the following two questions:
- What are some ways you engage with AI?
- How much professional development have you received about incorporating AI into your work in K-12 education?
The end goal was to leave equipped to advocate for equitable AI in their community and to create an AI policy aimed at protecting student biometric data. There were several questions asked about ensuring academic integrity on assignments turned in, how AI can assist with writing emails and how to introduce AI to faculty in an engaging manner. All questions were answered, and the audience was encouraged to reach out to the presenter.
Activity: ODE to the Internet Overview
Participants will analyze the traits of the Online Disinhibition Effect (ODE), which is how psychologists describe negatively induced behaviour on the internet via social media.
Description
Using poetic devices for April’s Poetry Month, the audience will find the specific types of ODE behaviour hidden within the lines of a poem.
Key Benefits
- Self-awareness about online engagement, and
- Clear examples of what ODE looks like in society.
Support Materials
Resources
- Mueller-Coyne, J., Voss, C., & Turner, K. (2022). The impact of loneliness on the six dimensions of online disinhibition. Computers in Human Behavior Reports, 5, Article#100169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chbr.2022.100169
- Social media monitoring in K-12 schools: Civil and human rights concerns
- Tackling online disinhibition effect for teens. Awaken Librarian!
About the author
name: Jean Darnell
Jean Darnell, MLIS, is a Texas librarian who advocates for all students via her blog, AwakenLibrarian.com, where she shares lesson ideas, professional development and curriculum content to improve the diverse role of librarians of colour and the young adults they serve. She has an in-depth knowledge of technology that began in 2001, is a 2024 Pulitzer Center Teacher Fellow in the field of Artificial Intelligence, and is the 2023 Texas Library Association Intellectual Freedom Committee Chairperson. Jean has served on other national and local committees, including as a keynote speaker and panellist at various national and local conferences. Jean graduated from Baylor University (undergrad) and the University of Houston, Clear Lake (graduate school).
