Turning new classroom tech into a playground for learning

When Instructional Technology Facilitator Andrea Nash and Teacher Resource Specialist Cameron Brindise mentioned teachers’ heightened emotions around the quickly evolving landscape of AI, the room full of educators nodded.
 
“Fast changing technology can cause a feeling of uneasiness,” said Nash. “Teachers feel pressure to implement new tools.”
 
The two educators, who support teachers as they navigate this new terrain, set out to tackle this challenge. They presented their learnings to a standing-room only session at the Lower Hudson Regional Information Center’s Tech Expo on May 7.

The AI APPy Hour, the name that Nash and Brindise gave to their professional development sessions at Edgemont, says it all.

"We lowered the emotional stakes through putting a playful framework on professional development,” said Nash. They drew from elements of speed dating, added snacks, and used messages like Prompt, Pour, Explore.

Behind the lighthearted approach was a strong structure with clear expectations.

“We hoped to create teacher agency by shifting away from a traditional PD structure to a supportive, informal, growth-oriented setting,” said Brindise.

Nash and Brindise found that a workshop setting in which teachers rotate through stations works best. Some stations feature a live demonstration of new AI tools; others offer time to explore previously introduced platforms. 

This is just one phase of a multiple step process: Lunch & Learns, coaching cycles, newsletters and a district-wide Padlet reinforce this new learning and offer teachers the opportunity to go deeper.

As they listened, Tech Expo attendees noted that they were experiencing a setup they could replicate at their own districts. They sat at collaborative tables, each preset snacks and one-page descriptions of new tech tools. A backchannel chat was in place, so that Nash and Brindise could answer questions without disrupting the whole class. 

“Teachers walk out of APPy Hour with comfort, enthusiasm and curiosity,” said Nash. “This will directly impact students’ agency with the new tools."