A participant examines workshop materials and digital literacy tools on her phone and laptop.As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly accessible, it is crucial for educators to understand when and how to effectively utilize these technologies.
To address this need, faculty from the University of Alabama at Birmingham Libraries are actively working to improve media and AI literacy within the community.
In late April, UAB Libraries organized a complimentary workshop titled “Partnering for Progress.” The aim was to share insights about AI applications and their implications for classroom settings while fostering connections between educators and UAB’s expert librarians. This initiative was born out of a request for guidance from educators navigating this evolving landscape.
The workshop forms part of an ongoing commitment by UAB Libraries to partner with local teachers, enhancing research skills, encouraging information literacy, and offering access to unique resources. It exemplifies the university’s dedication to addressing specific community needs.
Participants included educators from numerous Alabama school districts, such as Birmingham, Haleyville, Homewood, Huntsville, Leeds, Opelika, Pelham, Trussville, Tuscaloosa, and Vestavia Hills, along with representatives from Jefferson, Blount, Escambia, Etowah, Shelby, St. Clair, and Walker counties. The program was crafted by Associate Professor and Media Literacy Librarian Brooke Becker and Reference Librarian for Education and Educational Technology Summer Upton, who facilitated the workshop.
Teachers engage in an interactive discussion during the morning session.During the workshop, participants explored the concept of AI and generative AI, a branch of artificial intelligence that generates original content by learning from existing patterns. They examined essential skills for both students and educators working with AI, available online resources, and the formulation of AI policies for educational institutions. Guest speaker Jordan Fancher introduced the new Alabama Digital Literacy and Computer Science Standards, which will roll out K-12 standards designed to promote computational thinking, digital citizenship, and technical skills beginning in the 2026-2027 school year.
“As a committee member involved in the creation and implementation of the standards, Fancher provided valuable insights and practical advice on how educators can integrate them into their schools, particularly regarding AI-related standards,” Upton mentioned.
In the afternoon session, participants focused on applying their newfound knowledge. Some educators chose to draft AI policies to present to their school administrators. Upton showcased the Google tool NotebookLM as an example of an AI resource for classroom use.
“We held a question-and-answer session, facilitating a group discussion about the concerns and potential applications stemming from the workshop,” Upton reported. “Among the most common inquiries were questions about the distinctions between popular generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude, as well as ethical considerations regarding privacy and accuracy.”
Button Smith, a librarian at Pizitz Middle School, expressed her satisfaction in discovering available resources for creating AI policies and tools to instruct students on the responsible use of AI. April Wallace, a library media specialist at Pelham Park Middle School, arrived at the workshop with concerns about AI’s negative implications, including environmental impacts, a decline in creativity and curiosity, and privacy issues. She noted that the workshop helped to alleviate some of her fears.
Teachers and librarians engaged in a free workshop hosted by UAB Libraries to learn essential skills for using AI in educational environments.“The facilitators provided practical information and shared resources that will help schools establish their AI policies, including guidance on teaching students to use AI responsibly and to cite it appropriately,” Wallace commented. “I can explore those resources further and share them with my district.”
Hannah Holladay, chair of the English Department at Opelika High School, reported that she has already shared resources and recommended websites with her administration and colleagues, exploring the most effective methods to ethically guide students through the AI landscape.
“An idea shared by Summer Upton was to perceive AI as a skill rather than just a tool,” Holladay said. “By enabling both educators and students to ethically incorporate this skill into our existing practices, we can enhance learning experiences.”
Despite concerns regarding dependence on AI, Holladay feels reassured by the support from UAB and fellow educators, believing she can help her students navigate the responsible use of AI effectively.
“The discussions and services provided were immensely beneficial,” Holladay reflected. “Seeing how UAB Library faculty are dedicated to safeguarding individuals, information, and processes is inspiring. If they can manage this at such a broad scale, we can too.”
