Rising wave of cyberattacks hits K-12 schools | Ohio promotes ethical AI integration in classrooms with kit | Calif. parks' program offers virtual field trips
The surge in cyberattacks on K-12 schools, targeting vulnerable computer systems and exploiting the lack of cybersecurity experts, is causing widespread disruptions across the nation. With incidents doubling in 2023, these attacks, often involving ransomware and data theft, underscore the urgent need for enhanced cybersecurity measures to safeguard student records and maintain the continuity of education.
Ohio, one of 13 states addressing AI's role in education, released a toolkit by InnovateOhio that provides recommendations on ethically integrating AI. The guide also offers resources for communication, cheat detection and an "AI 101" course -- emphasizing a balanced approach that combines AI benefits with human oversight in the classroom.
California State Parks' PORTS -- Parks Online Resources for Teachers and Students -- program, launched in 2004, has evolved into a comprehensive virtual learning platform, providing an estimated 350,000 students annually with live interactive presentations, broadcasts and field trips. Aimed at introducing students to the state's diverse parks, PORTS leverages technology, including live-dive productions and Zoom calls.
Myesha Wallace, a video game design instructor at the Jackson Public Schools Career Development Center in Jackson, Miss., offers three tips for creating a culture of inclusivity in STEM classrooms. Wallace recommends project-based learning, finding a real-world issue to solve and making sure students can see people who look like them working in the fields of STEM.
Education technology funding in the US dropped from over $8 billion in 2021 to $2.8 billion in 2023, according to a Reach Capital analysis, and AI is one of the biggest reasons for the 2023 investment. The decline is in line with pre-pandemic levels and broader macroeconomic factors, according to the analysis.
While AI poses challenges related to potential misuse and plagiarism, experts say it offers essential support for students with dyslexia and other learning disabilities. Brevard Public Schools in Florida plans to address AI usage in its 2024-2025 student code of conduct, aiming to strike a balance between leveraging AI as an educational tool and ensuring accountability.
The idea of computers becoming staples in libraries was met with skepticism when now-retired librarian Jean Armour Polly sought to make the devices available for public use. Polly brought an Apple II Plus into a small library in Liverpool, N.Y., in 1981 and helped provide free internet access by 1992, efforts that in 2019 landed her into the Internet Hall of Fame for evangelizing computers in public libraries and making "surfing the internet" a viral phrase.