Making the Case for Communication around Generative AI

To Employees, Students, and Families (Part 4 of 4 of our Framework Series)

“The roots of massive redwood trees only run 6 to 12 feet deep. Instead of deep, they grow out, extending hundreds of feet laterally, wrapping around the roots of their neighbors. They help each other stand firmly in the ground, even amidst storms.” (Brad Stulberg)

The Brief Case 📚→💼→📈→📊

This edition of Making the Case marks the final step in our Generative AI series. Though we will write about this topic again, our current coverage, expressing a framework for handling uncertainty in school, ends today. But first, a look back:

• In part 1 of this series, we considered School Operations relative to the rising tide of Generative AI affordances.

• In part 2 of this series, we explored what such affordances might mean for School Policies.

• Most recently, in part 3 of this series, we inquired about, and modeled, Work Tasks that might stay the same, be augmented with Generative AI out of necessity, or be augmented with Generative AI to make the most of an opportunity.

Once (or perhaps while) risks, policies, and tasks are explored, school leadership must also consider communication. Each of a school’s primary constituents —employees, students, and families — should be brought into the situation in a different way and for a different reason.

• School pivots, whether quick or slow, are enacted by employees. It is therefore important for employees to understand the why and how behind operational, policy, and task changes, as well as the opportunities for review and refinement as these changes unfold.

• Schools exist for the students; in a time of crisis or opportunity, students deserve to be brought to a level of understanding that promotes their sense of comfort, belonging, safety, and development.

• If an event is big enough to disrupt your school, the families of which your students are a part are likely navigating uncertainty, as well. They will be better partners with the school and supporters of their children if they understand how the school is operating.

📚 The Learning Case for Communication around Generative AI

Communication around any school planning is important; many days, in fact, communication can feel like the main job of a leader. Among a crisis or a seemingly large societal shift, even more so, school communities have a heightened need to hear that their institution is aware of the situation, on it, and either holding steady or approaching steadiness.

To express awareness, preparedness, and steadiness does not mean always having a complete plan, and completeness is not necessarily an authentic goal. Information will always be incomplete. Regardless, the timeline for next/future communication, and a general sense of how the school is approaching the challenge in a way that is consistent with its mission, its values, and wise practices, allows folks to focus more on their routines and to get comfortable enough to work forward. Such routines and comfort are especially important for those who are not in decision-making seats.

Around a disruptive moment:

• A good thing that can be said is that learning either did not miss a beat or returned quickly to the standard level.

• The best thing that can be said is that learning was somehow improved or amplified or brought to a previously unheard of high standard as a result.