The Importance of Teacher Training in Edtech

Teachers are begging for AI training. And they’re not wrong to ask. Every session I’ve offered on AI in education has been packed. Waitlists. Follow-ups. More requests than I can keep up with. Why? Because teachers know AI is changing the game—and they want in. The need for AI training in education isn’t just anecdotal—it’s backed by data. According to a recent survey from the World Economic Forum, 71% of teachers and 65% of students agree that AI tools will be essential for success in college and the workplace. That underscores just how critical it is to equip educators with the knowledge and skills to integrate AI meaningfully into their teaching. And here’s what teachers actually want from their PD: ✅ Hands-on — time to explore tools, not just watch slides ✅ Practical — strategies they can use tomorrow ✅ Digestible — no overwhelm, just clarity and confidence ✅ Classroom-tested — examples that work with real students ✅ Supportive — space to ask questions, experiment, and grow I’ve led AI PD for educators across conferences, districts, and schools—and every time, the feedback is the same: “Every teacher should learn this.” “Can you come back and train the rest of our staff?” AI in education isn’t a nice-to-have. It’s a must. And teachers are ready. #AIinEducation #TeacherPD #EdTech #ProfessionalDevelopment #FutureReadySchools #AItools #MagicSchoolAI #Diffit #SchoolAI #TimeToTeachAI

Since ChatGPT's release two years ago, I've watched the endless parade of hot takes and quick conclusions about AI's place in our classrooms. But diving into the latest data, something stood out that few are talking about: While teacher training has increased by 50%, actual usage remains flat. Some call this proof that AI's educational promise was oversold. I decided to look deeper. What I found was stunning. The real story isn't about technology rejection – it's about systemic gaps in support. Consider this: 58% of teachers still have no AI training whatsoever. Of those who do get training, only 6% receive ongoing support. Meanwhile, students are forging ahead with these tools, creating an increasingly problematic knowledge gap. What's actually happening here? Training without depth: Most teachers get one-off sessions instead of sustained support Digital divide deepening: Students adopt while teachers remain unsupported Implementation failure: We're mistaking lack of support for reasoned rejection Missing context: Flat usage rates mask the growing urgency for meaningful integration Hidden potential: Where proper support exists, teachers are finding valuable applications We're not watching an AI fever break – we're watching a digital literacy gap widen while celebrating teacher disconnection as vindication. The future of education isn't about whether AI belongs in our classrooms – students have already answered that question. It's about whether we'll help teachers guide this transformation or leave them, and ultimately their students, to navigate it alone. I just published a detailed analysis unpacking these numbers and what they really mean. Curious to hear your thoughts. #AIinEducation #EdTech #TeacherPD #DigitalLiteracy #EdLeadership #TeacherTraining #FutureofEducation

👓 A New Report "Professional Development for Teachers in the Age of AI" 🚌 The European Schoolnet Academy Thematic Seminar Report delves into the professional development of #Teachers in the era of artificial intelligence (#AI). It emphasizes the importance of professional development programs in supporting teachers amidst rapid technological changes, highlighting their role in addressing AI-related concerns and fostering a community of teachers actively engaged in enhancing their practices. The report, authored by experts like Mutlu Cukurova and Lidija Kralj, discusses the need for evolving teacher training activities to incorporate AI and support from AI tools. It stresses the significance of educators acquiring competencies spanning ethics, AI fundamentals, and #DigitalPedagogy to effectively integrate AI in education. The report also touches on the potential challenges and ethical considerations associated with AI implementation in teaching. .......................... #DigitalPedagogy focuses on the pedagogical use of digital technologies, emphasizing how technology can transform teaching and learning practices. It involves critically evaluating digital tools from a pedagogical perspective and aligning technology use with educational objectives. 💡Implementing #DigitalPedagogy requires that educators: a. Understand digital tools available for education. b. Align technology use with pedagogical goals. c. Engage in continuous professional development. d. Collaborate with peers and share best practices. e. Focus on student engagement and personalized learning. f. Utilize digital tools for assessment and feedback. g. Be adaptable and flexible to meet evolving educational needs. ......................... What are the recommendations? The European Schoolnet Academy Thematic Seminar Report suggests several strategies for teacher trainers to effectively support teachers in integrating AI into their teaching practices: 1. #ConductPracticalActivities: Encourage hands-on tasks, either online or onsite, using AI tools to enhance understanding and produce tangible outputs for analysis, fostering peer collaboration. 2. #ImmediateImplementation: Advocate for the immediate implementation of learned skills and developed activities in the classroom to reinforce retention and practical application. 3. #Build a #ProfessionalCommunity: Foster a collaborative environment by developing a professional community that encourages peer collaboration, peer learning, and the development of AI literacy skills with a focus on pedagogy and aligning educational methods with teaching and learning principles. 4. #EmphasizePedagogy: Maintain a consistent focus on pedagogy throughout the training process, aligning educational methods with teaching and learning principles to ensure effective integration of AI in education. https://lnkd.in/eHxbZS82