🌟 Highlights from AI Empowered EDU 2025: Teaching the Future, Now
Yesterday, I had the chance to attend the AI Empowered EDU 2025 Conference (hosted by Multnomah ESD, Clackamas ESD, and Northwest Regional ESD) at the University of Portland – and wow, lots to think about as we continue to navigate AI’s role in education!
🎉 3 cheers for the key note and wrap up from Matt Mervis and Liz Radday of ChatEDU fame! They did a great job with their "State of the Union" on where we are with AI, including some very recent developments and studies. If you're looking for a great AI/EDU podcast, be sure to tune in!
Here are a few standout takeaways from sessions I attended:
🔧 AI That Works for You (and Your Students):
In the session "AI Powered Teaching - Shaping the Future of Learning, Today", presenters from Anaheim Union High School District and E-Kadence showcased LMS/AI integration, highlighting student IEPs, real-time feedback, and personalized chatbot support (“Skrappy”) - everything from nudges on missing assignments to FAFSA help.
Students can now ask, “Why am I learning this?” and get tailored, interest-based responses. ✨ How about "When is this assignment due?" The AI tools integrating with the LMS data provides next level personalization for the entire learning community.
The parent-facing app offers the same deep integration including audio/text and multilingual support.
🧠 Balancing Cognitive Lift and Critical Thinking:
In "AI, Cognitive Offloading, and Critical Thinking", ODE's Brian Baker and Sol Joye emphasized that AI tools can scaffold student thinking without replacing it. A key idea: productive struggle matters - AI should support ZPD, not shortcut it.
Loved the analogies: LLMs as “pizza delivery” vs. scaffolded learning as a “meal kit"; LLMs as escalators vs scaffolded learning as a staircase.
🔒 Privacy & Policy in Practice:
The session "Enterprise Level AI in Education - PSD401.ai" highlighted how Peninsula School District has moved from policy writing to real implementation: guidance, data governance, and classroom support - backed by an internal “Learning & Innovation” team.
I've highlighted their work here before but it bears repeating that they are a year or two ahead of most of our school districts and all of their work is CCL. Here's your invitation to NOT reinvent the wheels!
🤖 Equity & Access:
Conversations emphasized AI for student agency - not just efficiency. Tools like Skrappy were co-designed with students, and even offer vetted support resources like local food banks.
“Too much support?” was a real question explored - how do we guide without removing growth opportunities?
This event made it clear: AI isn't just coming to education - it’s already here. The goal? Keep humans at the center (📷 see the jazz band conference warm up below!), ensure transparency, and support learning that adapts as quickly as our world does.
