Nevada and West Virginia Launch Initiatives to Train Teachers on AI Integration
Nevada and West Virginia are launching initiatives to train teachers on integrating AI into education effectively and ethically.
Key Points
- • Nevada's STELLAR Pathways Summit focuses on AI ethics for educators.
- • West Virginia University offers free summer workshops on AI integration.
- • Teachers express a desire for more time to evaluate AI tools.
- • Concerns arise about AI's impact on students' critical thinking skills.
Education authorities in Nevada and West Virginia are taking significant steps to equip teachers with the skills necessary to effectively integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into their teaching practices. In Nevada, the Department of Education is enhancing training programs as part of a broader strategy to empower educators with knowledge of generative AI. This initiative followed the STELLAR Pathways Summit held on June 24-25 in Las Vegas, where educators engaged in discussions about AI concepts and the ethical guidelines for K-12 education.
Emily Bleyle from the Nevada Department of Education emphasized that it’s up to individual school districts to develop their AI usage policies, allowing for localized decision-making on AI's role in classrooms. Despite the lack of definitive solutions for AI use, there was a strong desire among attendees to take the time required to evaluate the appropriate AI tools for their instructional needs. Concerns over AI potentially impacting students' critical thinking skills were also discussed at the summit, highlighting the need for teachers to be well-versed in AI tools their students use to ensure balanced content consumption.
Meanwhile, West Virginia University (WVU) is facilitating free summer workshops on AI, digital health, and machine learning from July 21 to 23, 2025. These workshops aim to enhance teachers' understanding of AI and its applications in education and health. Participants can choose to attend in person or remotely, with prior registration required.
Collectively, these initiatives signify a growing recognition of AI's role in education and the critical need for professional development in this area.