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There is a tension between ambitious dreams and current realities. This tension is normal. It's the catalyst for meaningful change. But how do you transform lofty aspirations into tangible progress?
The key lies in understanding and strategically addressing your innovation gap.
Where you want to be, minus where you are, equals your innovation gap.
Your Starting Point
Before charting a course, you must accurately assess your current position. This requires an honest, clear-eyed evaluation. Assess:
How teachers and students are currently using AI.
What digital tools are in place and how effectively are they utilized?
What is the current level of AI understanding among staff and students?
Any eagerness or reluctance towards AI adoption.
Document these realities objectively. This is your baseline. The foundation for your AI journey.
Your AI Vision
This will be ambitious but realistic. Start to gather ideas about:
What specific AI tools will enhance teaching and learning?
How AI could change assessment, personalization and administrative tasks.
What new skills will your graduates possess?
Measuring the Gap
Your innovation gap is the distance between your current state and your envisioned future. Break it down into key components:
Technology: What new tools and systems are needed?
Skills: What competencies must be developed?
Culture: How must attitudes and practices evolve?
Operations: Which processes need reimagining for AI integration?
Where possible, quantify these gaps. Express them in terms of specific tools, training hours, or operational changes needed.
The Dual Approach to Innovation
Bridging your gap requires a balance.
Linear How will your existing educational model naturally evolve? How will planned improvements move you toward your vision? How will you optimize your performance engine?
Non-linear Identify the bold shifts needed to realize your AI vision fully. What experiments or radical changes are necessary? How will you create the future? This is the space where true innovation must occur.
Building Your Case for Change
With a clear understanding of your gap, craft a compelling narrative for all stakeholders. Include:
Why AI innovation is crucial for your school's future
The specific innovations needed to bridge your gap
The concrete benefits awaiting on the other side
Your goal isn't to discard educational foundations but to evolve them for the future.
This is an extract from the upcoming book Infinite Education: The Four Step Strategy For Change In A World Of Artificial Intelligence. This section in the book comes with practical guidance and activities.
Whenever you're ready, there are 3 ways I can help you:
1. The ChatGPT Survival Kit: My flagship course on getting started with generative AI using ChatGPT. The Busy Teacher's Guide to Taking Back Your Evenings With AI. Join 10k+ educators who have taken the course.
2. The AI Classroom Bestselling Book: Tens of thousands of educators on every continent have trusted this "Ultimate Guide to AI in Education", to springboard themselves into AI leadership. With a healthy balance of thought and practical guides, this book will supercharge your AI journey.
3. It's an honour to be an in-demand international keynote speaker on artificial education in education and business. I get to work with schools, colleges, universities and businesses to strategically integrate AI and help them be prepared for a future of disruptive technology. Click here to enquire about booking me.