Al Literacy

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the educational landscape, offering innovative tools and approaches that enhance teaching and learning across all subjects, including literacy and language. AI in education encompasses a range of technologies that can personalize learning experiences, assist teachers with administrative tasks, and provide new ways for students to engage with educational content.

While the Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) offers several resources and services to support AI integration, we also recognize the value of diverse perspectives and expertise in this rapidly evolving field. Therefore, we've curated a selection of resources from reputable educational institutions, research organizations, and technology leaders to provide a well-rounded understanding of AI's role in education.

Our goal is to empower educators with knowledge and tools to effectively and responsibly incorporate AI into their teaching practices, ultimately enhancing student learning outcomes in literacy and language development.

Key Applications in Literacy and Language
Personalized Reading Programs: AI-powered systems that adapt to each student's reading level and interests. These programs use machine learning algorithms to analyze a student's reading behavior, comprehension, and preferences. They then recommend texts at the appropriate difficulty level and on topics that engage the student. As students progress, the system adjusts in real time, providing more challenging material or additional support as needed. This personalization helps maintain student motivation and accelerates reading improvement.	Example: Lexia Learning's Core5 Lexia Core5 Reading Description: Lexia Core5 Reading provides personalized reading instruction for students of all abilities. It adapts to each student's needs and offers real-time data for teachers to monitor progress. Example: Epic! Epic! Description: Epic! is a digital reading platform that offers personalized book recommendations based on students' interests and reading levels. It provides a vast library of books and educational videos.
Language Learning Assistants: AI tools that provide pronunciation feedback and personalized language practice. These AI-driven tools use speech recognition technology to assess learners' pronunciation and fluency. They offer immediate, specific feedback on pronunciation errors and suggest improvement exercises. Additionally, these assistants can engage in conversational practice, adapting their language complexity to the learner's level. Some advanced systems even simulate real-world scenarios, allowing students to practice language skills in context.	Example: Duolingo Duolingo Description: Duolingo uses AI to provide personalized language learning experiences. It offers real-time pronunciation feedback and adapts the difficulty of lessons based on the learner's progress. Example: Rosetta Stone Rosetta Stone Description: Rosetta Stone uses speech recognition technology to help learners improve their pronunciation. It provides personalized practice and adapts lessons to the user's proficiency level.
Writing Analysis Tools: Programs that offer suggestions for grammar, style, and content improvement. These AI-powered tools go beyond simple spell-checking. They analyze written work for grammar, punctuation, style consistency, and even potential plagiarism. More advanced versions can offer suggestions for vocabulary enhancement, sentence structure variation, and overall coherence of the text. Some tools are designed to provide feedback specific to different types of writing, such as academic papers, creative stories, or business reports.	Example: Grammarly Grammarly Description: Grammarly is an AI-powered writing assistant that offers suggestions for grammar, style, and content improvement. It provides detailed feedback and suggestions for enhancing writing. Example: ProWritingAid ProWritingAid Description: ProWritingAid analyzes text for grammar, style, and structure. It offers in-depth reports and suggestions to improve various aspects of writing, making it useful for different writing styles.
Text-to-Speech and Speech-to-Text: AI technologies that support accessibility and language development. Text-to-speech (TTS) technology uses AI to convert written text into natural-sounding speech, supporting students with reading difficulties or visual impairments. Advanced TTS can adjust reading speed and even convey emotion in the narration. Speech-to-Text (STT) technology transcribes spoken words into written text, aiding students who struggle with writing or typing. These tools not only enhance accessibility but also support language learners by connecting written and spoken forms of language.	Example: Google Text-to-Speech Google Text-to-Speech Description: Google Text-to-Speech converts written text into natural-sounding speech. It supports multiple languages and voices, enhancing accessibility for users with reading difficulties. Example: Otter.ai Otter.ai Description: Otter.ai uses AI to transcribe spoken words into written text in real time. It is helpful for students who struggle with writing or typing, providing accurate and accessible transcriptions.
General AI Education Resources
1. Edutopia: AI in Education Edutopia AI in Education Description: Articles and resources about the impact and use of AI in education. 2. ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education) ISTE AI in Education Description: Resources and articles on integrating AI in classrooms and educational settings. 3. AI4K12 AI4K12 Description: Guidelines and resources for teaching AI in K-12 education. AI Tools for Educators 4. Common Sense Media: 11 AI Tools Education AI Tools Description: AI tools designed to enhance teaching and learning experiences. 5. Microsoft Education: AI in the Classroom Microsoft Education AI Description: Tools and resources from Microsoft to integrate AI into the classroom.
Professional Development and Courses
6. AI for Education AI for Education Webinar Series Description: Weekly series covering various topics that demystify AI 7. Coursera: AI for Everyone by Andrew Ng AI for Everyone Description: A popular introductory course to AI, suitable for educators wanting to understand the basics of AI. 8. Google Generative AI for Educators Google AI Certification Description: Self-paced 2-hour course built by AI experts at Google in collaboration with MIT RAISE 9. UCI: Digital Learning Lab / Pens & Pixels Pens & Pixels Description: 2023 world conference with scholars and educators, links include videos and slides
Research and Case Studies
10. The Brookings Institution: AI in Education Reports Brookings AI in Education Description: Research articles and reports on the impact of AI in the education sector. 11. OECD: AI and the Future of Education OECD AI in Education Description: Reports and insights on AI's role in the future of education. 12. UCI: Digital Learning Lab Generative AI in Education Description: Current research on how AI is being used in K-12 education.
California's AI Regulation
Find out how the state sets the standard with its comprehensive policies and laws on AI use and management. Check out these links to official California government resources: Bias Audits in Pretrial Tools: Criminal justice agencies must evaluate biases in AI-powered tools. CA SB 36 CDE AI Guidance: Supports implementation of generative AI in education AI Resource Kit Deepfake Regulation in Electoral Campaigns: Addresses the use of deepfakes with legislation requiring disclosure. CA AB 730 Facial Recognition Limitations: Prohibits the use of facial recognition technology in police body cameras. CA AB 1215 Governor's Executive Order on AI: Outlines the state's commitment to studying and developing policies for responsible AI use. Executive Order Guidelines for Purchasing Generative AI Tools: Provides state agencies with guidelines for acquiring generative AI technologies. AI Guidelines Transparency Laws for Bot Use: Mandates disclosure when bots are used in certain communications to prevent deception. CA SB 1001

For more information, please contact Virginia Reischl at vreischl@ocde.us