INNISFAIL - Chinook’s Edge School Division (CESD) trustees have been updated on work ongoing in the division around the use of artificial intelligence (AI), including how the cutting-edge technology may be used to help with student tutoring.
Associate superintendent Jason Drent gave the update at the recent board meeting and provided information to the Albertan in a follow-up interview.
The 11,700-student CESD is headquartered in Innisfail and includes schools across the region.
In June, the division approved an official administrative procedure regarding artificial intelligence, which defines AI as “computing systems that are able to engage in human-like processes such as learning, adapting, synthesizing, self-correction and use of data for complex processing tasks.”
The division is currently exploring how AI tools might support the work of teachers, how it could create opportunities of tutoring, and how the division might use the technology to become more efficient and effective in analyzing data, he said.
“We are really interested in continuing to support our teachers with (AI) tools, with their planning and assessment in particular,” said Drent. “We are bringing a variety of tools into our professional learning community, showing the potentials of what is possible.
“The second piece that I updated (trustees) on is the potential and the power of use looking at some of these AI tools to help with data analysis and in particular data that will help to inform better, an analysis of where our students are in their learning.
“We are navigating what the potential is and testing certain things. AI is growing in its capabilities literally on a month-to-month basis. So each month provides another wondering and another question about how we utilize this to really build on efficiencies.”
Data that could be analyzed might include information gathered through student assessments, he said.
“We have a lot of data so what we would look at is analyzing that data to see if we can identify trends. Are there particular outcomes that kids particularly struggle in or do really well in. That can help inform at a deeper level where students are at and what we as educators can do.”
The new AI administrative procedure is working well since being adopted six months ago, he said.
Trustees also heard that nomination packages for individuals seeking election as trustees in the 2025 election will be available in January.
