AI-Powered Efficiency: Enhancing Workflows and Well-Being

Presented by Kris HagelPD SessionFor PSD Staff

AI-Powered Efficiency: Enhancing Workflows and Well-Being

Scheduled for the Peninsula School District Professional Learning Day on August 28, 2024, this presentation focuses on leveraging AI to enhance efficiency, streamline workflows, and improve well-being for educators.

Key Takeaways:

  • Generative AI Fundamentals: The presentation introduces generative AI as a rapidly advancing technology with significant potential impacts, emphasizing the importance of understanding and embracing it.
  • The AI Mindset: It encourages a mindset shift from denial or despair to embracing AI as a tool for increased productivity and a valuable, albeit quirky, colleague.
  • Popular AI Tools: The presentation highlights popular AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, emphasizing their use for general work and learning, while cautioning against using them with private data without proper agreements.
  • Prompt Priming: The core concept of prompt priming is introduced, which involves providing specific context to narrow down AI responses and ensure more relevant and tailored outcomes.
  • Advanced Prompting Techniques: The presentation delves into three key prompt engineering patterns:
    • Persona Pattern: Assigning specific roles or viewpoints to the AI (e.g., a historical figure, a friendly tree, a trendy teenager).
    • Few-Shot Prompting: Providing examples to guide the AI in generating outputs that follow a desired format or style.
    • Template Pattern: Using fill-in-the-blank templates to structure AI outputs and ensure consistency.
  • Peninsula's Primary Tools: The presentation highlights two primary AI tools used in the district:
    • MagicSchool.ai: A platform with various tools for lesson planning, differentiation, communication, and more.
    • Amplify GenAI: A district-specific AI tool.

Actionable Insights:

  • Embrace the AI Mindset: Approach AI as a tool to enhance productivity and well-being.
  • Master Prompt Priming: Provide specific context when interacting with AI to get more relevant and tailored results.
  • Experiment with Prompting Patterns: Practice using the Persona, Few-Shot, and Template patterns to refine your AI interactions.
  • Utilize Peninsula's Primary Tools: Explore and leverage MagicSchool.ai and Amplify GenAI to streamline workflows and enhance teaching practices.
  • Engage in Continuous Learning: Stay updated on the latest AI developments and explore the provided resources (books, articles, prompt libraries) to further enhance your skills.
  • Ask the AI for help: Use the AI to help you create better prompts and get more specific answers.
  • Join the PSD AI Sharing & Learning Google Chat Space: Connect with colleagues to share experiences, ask questions, and learn from each other.
  • Use AI to improve the AI Principles and Beliefs: Use the prompt provided to have AI help update and refine the Principles and Beliefs document.

Looking Ahead:

This presentation provides a comprehensive overview of how AI can be leveraged to enhance efficiency and well-being in the educational setting. By mastering prompt engineering techniques, utilizing available tools, and engaging in continuous learning, educators can effectively integrate AI into their workflows, ultimately creating a more supportive and productive environment for themselves and their students. The presentation encourages a proactive and informed approach to AI adoption, positioning it as a valuable asset for educators in the Peninsula School District.