Events
OTTRS Speaker Series: “AI Teaming in Classrooms: Building Inclusive, Engaging, and Teacher-led Learning Experiences & Environments”
Event Start Date: Friday, October 18, 2024 - 12:00 pm
Event End Date: Friday, October 18, 2024 - 1:00 pm
Location: Virtual
UMD students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends—join us for the OTTRS Speaker Series. (Registration Required)
Abstract:
This presentation explores the integration of AI agents and assistants in K-12 classrooms, focusing on how these technologies can transform teaching and learning by enhancing various pedagogical approaches and aligning with established learning theories. AI teaming involves AI agents and assistants working alongside teachers and students to provide personalized, adaptive, and interactive support that meets diverse learning needs. Drawing on cognitive, constructivist, experiential, sociocultural, and distributed cognition theories, the presentation demonstrates how AI systems can facilitate differentiated instruction, manage classroom logistics, and offer real-time analytics and feedback. These capabilities enable teachers to reclaim valuable time to build stronger relationships, foster community, and focus on social-emotional learning that supports dynamic complementarity between academic success and personal development.
The presentation emphasizes how AI agents and assistants empower teachers as relationship-builders, allowing them to focus on creating inclusive, engaging, and supportive learning environments that honor students’ cultural backgrounds and social contexts. By handling routine tasks, AI frees teachers to build community, improve school climate, and enhance students’ social-emotional skills, which are critical for academic and personal growth. The integration of culturally re
levant, responsive, sustaining, and sensitive pedagogies within AI teaming further ensures that AI technologies respect and reflect the diverse identities and experiences of students. Ultimately, AI teaming not only enhances instructional quality but also reinforces the human elements of teaching that are essential for fostering inclusive, student-centered learning environments where every student can thrive.
Bio:
Noel Kuriakos
Noel Kuriakos is a doctoral researcher, focusing on computational literacy in early childhood education and AI teaming in inclusive classrooms. As Director of a PreK Computational Literacy Initiative (a Research Practice Partnership), Noel co-designs and co-develops learning frameworks and teacher professional development programs for PreK students. Additionally, Noel serves as an Independent Researcher & Consultant, leading research projects and developing curriculum for educational organizations and also teaches undergraduate leadership courses. Noel’s diverse background in education, research, and technology—including a prior career in enterprise software product management and experience as a middle school math and computer science teacher—informs a unique and innovative approach to early childhood education. Noel is committed to shaping the future of education and empowering young learners.
VirtualUMD students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends—join us for the OTTRS Speaker Series. (Registration Required)
Abstract:
This presentation explores the integration of AI agents and assistants in K-12 classrooms, focusing on how these technologies can transform teaching and learning by enhancing various pedagogical approaches and aligning with established learning theories. AI teaming involves AI agents and assistants working alongside teachers and students to provide personalized, adaptive, and interactive support that meets diverse learning needs. Drawing on cognitive, constructivist, experiential, sociocultural, and distributed cognition theories, the presentation demonstrates how AI systems can facilitate differentiated instruction, manage classroom logistics, and offer real-time analytics and feedback. These capabilities enable teachers to reclaim valuable time to build stronger relationships, foster community, and focus on social-emotional learning that supports dynamic complementarity between academic success and personal development.
The presentation emphasizes how AI agents and assistants empower teachers as relationship-builders, allowing them to focus on creating inclusive, engaging, and supportive learning environments that honor students’ cultural backgrounds and social contexts. By handling routine tasks, AI frees teachers to build community, improve school climate, and enhance students’ social-emotional skills, which are critical for academic and personal growth. The integration of culturally re
levant, responsive, sustaining, and sensitive pedagogies within AI teaming further ensures that AI technologies respect and reflect the diverse identities and experiences of students. Ultimately, AI teaming not only enhances instructional quality but also reinforces the human elements of teaching that are essential for fostering inclusive, student-centered learning environments where every student can thrive.
Bio:
Noel Kuriakos
Noel Kuriakos is a doctoral researcher, focusing on computational literacy in early childhood education and AI teaming in inclusive classrooms. As Director of a PreK Computational Literacy Initiative (a Research Practice Partnership), Noel co-designs and co-develops learning frameworks and teacher professional development programs for PreK students. Additionally, Noel serves as an Independent Researcher & Consultant, leading research projects and developing curriculum for educational organizations and also teaches undergraduate leadership courses. Noel’s diverse background in education, research, and technology—including a prior career in enterprise software product management and experience as a middle school math and computer science teacher—informs a unique and innovative approach to early childhood education. Noel is committed to shaping the future of education and empowering young learners.
Speaker(s): Noel Kuriakos, Graduate Researcher & Instructor