AI, CS, & Digital Literacy

OpenAI released ChatGPT for Teachers today, and it’s a big deal for K–12 educators that love using ChatGPT. This new, free workspace is built specifically for teachers and designed to fit real classroom needs — with FERPA-aligned protections at the core.

🍎 5 of the top benefits 🍎

1️⃣ FERPA-Aligned Data Protections Teacher content isn’t used to train models, and the workspace is designed to help protect student information. Huge win for schools worried about privacy and compliance.

2️⃣ Personalized for Your Classroom You can set grade level, subjects, curriculum style, and teaching preferences — and ChatGPT adapts its responses to match your context.

3️⃣ Built-In Integrations (Google Drive, Microsoft 365, Canva) Easily pull in your files, generate lesson materials, and even build slide decks directly inside the tool.

4️⃣ Create & Share Custom GPTs Teachers can build specialized bots (rubric builders, warm-up generators, lab report helpers) and share them with colleagues or across a district.

October 27 – November 1

Media Literacy Week is here — and it’s the perfect time to help students strengthen one of the most important skills they’ll ever learn: how to think critically about the information they see, hear, and share every day.

Whether you have five minutes or fifty, there are easy ways to get involved!

🔹 Start Small: Use a “Daily Do Now” Slide

If you’re looking for a quick, no-prep way to participate, check out the News Literacy Project’s “Daily Do Now” slides — short, discussion-ready prompts you can drop into ELA, advisory, SOAR, or any class.

Each slide poses a question or example that sparks reflection and conversation around how we know what’s real, who created a message, and why it was made. 👉 Explore the Do Now Slides

The Center for Democracy & Technology’s new Hand in Hand report (Oct 2025) paints a complicated picture of how students are using AI - not just for homework help, but increasingly for companionship.

According to CDT’s national survey, 42% of students say they’ve used AI as a “friend” or emotional outlet, and nearly 1 in 5 report having had a romantic relationship with a chatbot. Those numbers are eye-opening. We’re talking about middle and high school students forming emotional attachments to technology that can mimic empathy but can’t actually feel it.

At the same time, AI use in schools has exploded. Over 85 % of students and teachers now use AI in some form - often without clear guidance or training. As NPR’s recent coverage highlights, the more classrooms lean on AI tools, the less connected many students feel to their teachers. Technology designed to make learning easier may be quietly eroding human connection.

Gorge educators - come be part of a statewide network shaping the future of teaching and learning in the digital age! The ODE Digital Learning (DL) Cadre is a new collaboration space for educators, trainers, and school leaders to share ideas, explore innovations, and tackle challenges like AI, equity, and access together.

The Cadre meets virtually once a month, alternating Mondays and Fridays, and features breakout discussions, shared resources, and spotlight presentations from educators across Oregon.

👉 Let’s make sure the Gorge is well-represented - register today and join the conversation!