Education in the Age of AI: Policy, Practice, and Pedagogy

Join us for an exciting event at the Harvard Graduate School of Education in Cambridge, MA, USA. We will explore the impact of artificial intelligence on education, focusing on policy, practice, and pedagogy. This in-person panel will bring together experts, educators, and policymakers to discuss the opportunities and challenges AI brings to the field of education. Don't miss this unique opportunity to gain insights and engage in thought-provoking discussions. Register now to secure one of the 100 available seats!

Central Questions
The event will explore several questions, including the following:

• How Can AI Transform Educational Practices and Policies?
• What are the Ethical and Practical Challenges in Implementing AI in Education?
• How Can We Prepare the Next Generation of Educators and Students for an AI-Driven Educational Landscape?
• What kind of policies do we need to drive the responsible adoption of AI in educational systems?
  We invite all interested participants to send in their questions with the application. Moreover, the event will also have a Q&A session where you could have the opportunity to ask your questions to the panelists.

Prof. Christopher Dede, before becoming a Senior Research Fellow, was the Timothy E. Wirth Professor in Learning Technologies for 22 years. His fundamental interest is developing new types of educational systems to meet the opportunities and challenges of the 21st century. His research spans emerging technologies for learning, infusing technology into large-scale educational improvement initiatives, developing policies that support educational transformation, and providing leadership in educational innovation. Currently, Dede is a Co-Principal Investigator of the NSF-funded National Artificial Intelligence Institute in Adult Learning and Online Education. He co-founded the Silver Lining for Learning initiative and developed a widely used Framework for scaling up educational innovations. From 2001 to 2004, he served as chair of the Learning & Teaching program at HGSE. Dede is an advisor to the digital puppeteering company Mursion, Inc., in which he has an equity stake.

Prof. Karen Brennan is a professor of practice at HGSE, where she directs the Creative Computing Lab, and an affiliate in Computer Science. Her research is primarily concerned with the design of learning experiences in K–12 computer science. She is especially interested in constructionist learning experience design, an approach that cultivates learner agency and community through personalizing, creating, sharing, and reflecting. Her research and design activities are situated in three interconnected thematic areas: (1) investigating how K–12 teachers design learning experiences in computing education, (2) creating support structures for K–12 teachers to develop understandings of constructionist approaches to computing education in the classroom, and (3) studying the development of computational fluency in young learners. Before joining HGSE, Brennan completed her Ph.D. at the MIT Media Lab, where she was a member of the team that develops the Scratch programming environment.
Pat Yongpradit is the Chief Academic Officer for Code.org, a non-profit dedicated to promoting computer science education, and leader of TeachAI, an initiative to guide education leaders and policymakers in transforming education in an age of AI. As an international voice on computer science education, Pat has influenced each stage of the education system, from policy to practice, in the legislature, and in the classroom. During his career as a computer science teacher, he inspired students to create games and apps for social causes and broadened participation among underrepresented groups. He led the development of the K-12 Computer Science Framework, was featured in the book, “American Teacher: Heroes in the Classroom”, was recognized as a Microsoft Worldwide Innovative Educator, and has been certified in biology, physics, math, health, and technology education. Although Pat currently spends more time focused on computer science and artificial intelligence from a global perspective, he still finds ways to sneak into the classroom.

Prof. John Richards is a senior executive in education, technology, and media with extensive experience in business development and strategic planning. He is an Adjunct Lecturer on Education at HGSE. Moreover, he is an internationally recognized leader in merging media and technology with educational needs and has designed and published award-winning educational materials in mathematics, science, and social studies. Current research interests include entrepreneurship in the education technology marketplace, digital media literacy, Large Language Models, and extensions of the university to support lifelong learning.

He is founder and President of Consulting Services for Education, Inc. (CS4Ed). CS4Ed works with publishers, technology companies, educational nonprofits, and higher education institutions as they negotiate the rapidly changing education marketplace. Clients range from startups to the giants of the industry.

Previously, he was President of the JASON Foundation for Education, and Senior Vice President and General Manager of Turner Learning, Inc., the education arm of Turner Broadcasting. Richards received his doctorate in philosophy at SUNY Buffalo in 1971 and conducted post-doctoral research at SUNY in mathematics in 1972.

This event is open to all students, faculty, entrepreneurs, tech enthusiasts, and researchers across Harvard and MIT who are interested in the future of education and the impact of AI. Whether you're exploring AI's potential in educational settings, seeking insights on ethical considerations, or curious about preparing the next generation for an AI-driven future, this event might be a great place to start.

The event is free, but registration is required. Secure your spot to be part of this pivotal discussion on the future of education in the age of AI. The tickets are capped at 100 participants.

For any inquiries, please contact Aleksandar Lazovski, Ed.M Candidate at HGSE and AI Education Fellow at [email protected].

We look forward to welcoming you to an afternoon of insightful discussions and networking with peers and leaders at the forefront of educational innovation.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Harvard Graduate School Of Education, Appian Way, Cambridge, MA, USA, United States