The main goal of the study was to explore the experiences and perspectives of middle school teachers after implementing the MIT RAICA (Responsible AI for Computational Action) curriculum, focusing on how it influenced their understanding of AI and their teaching practices.
Methods: The study involved semi-structured interviews with seven teachers who implemented one of three RAICA curriculum modules in their classrooms. These modules included projects like building an interactive art installation, creating a chatbot, and designing an app. The researchers used thematic data analysis to identify key themes from the interviews.
Key Findings:
- Teachers reported an increased understanding of AI concepts and recognized the importance of teaching AI's ethical and societal implications.
- The curriculum facilitated interdisciplinary teaching approaches, integrating AI with subjects like art and business.
- Teachers highlighted the need for better external support, more preparation time, and flexible curriculum timelines.
- Students showed a keen interest in AI and its applications, with discussions on AI ethics and consciousness.
Implications: The findings contribute to the field of AI in education by highlighting the importance of teacher training and support in effectively delivering AI literacy curricula. The study underscores the potential of AI education to foster interdisciplinary learning and critical thinking about technology's societal impact.
Limitations: The study's limitations include a small sample size and the focus on a specific curriculum, which may not be generalizable to all educational contexts. The reliance on self-reported data from interviews may also introduce bias.
Future Directions: Future research should explore the long-term impact of AI literacy curricula across diverse educational settings and involve larger participant groups. Additional studies could focus on refining AI tools for classroom use and developing resources to support teachers with varying levels of AI knowledge.
Title and Authors: "Understanding Teacher Perspectives and Experiences After Deployment of AI Literacy Curriculum in Middle School Classrooms" by Prerna Ravi, Annalisa Broski, Glenda Stump, Hal Abelson, Eric Klopfer, and Cynthia Breazeal.
Published On: December, 2023
Published By: Published at 16th annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation (ICERI) 2023