In a 2024 Forbes survey, 60% of educators see an increased use of AI technology in the classroom, but don't think it will have a central role in education (Artificial Intelligence in Education: Teachers' Opinions on AI in the Classroom). The results reinforce the idea that AI technology will not replace core skills and knowledge. Rather, AI technology becomes an additional resource or tool to use when learning new skills and knowledge.

In preparation for our summer professional learning outreach, INFOhio asked ICoaches to let us know the important topics in their buildings and districts. We used their feedback to create the hot topics list for summer professional learning:

• Science of Reading
• STEM/STEAM
• Information Literacy (includes media and digital literacy)
• Artificial Intelligence

Take time now to discover blogs, online classes, eBooks, and webinars that are available 24/7, at no cost, and anywhere there is an internet connection for your summer learning.

Educators recognize the need to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) technologies into their classroom, but many don't know where to start. Only 36% of educators reported being comfortable with AI technology in the classroom (Ohio's AI in Education Coalition: AI Strategy). In Ohio, industry, education, and government leaders work together to help educators and employers embrace AI technologies. Read the blog to learn more about statewide efforts and no-cost resources to support AI literacy education. 

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Quality text from eBook collections provided by INFOhio support knowledge building and vocabulary development while increasing awareness and understanding of the contributions of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.

No matter what the unique makeup of your classroom, educators must support all learners so they can achieve mastery of the content. Each student must demonstrate what they learned, but how they understand it or demonstrate it doesn't have to be the same. While the school curriculum is important for consistency, providing supplemental resources that support all learners is important to give them the means they need to be successful.

To help students with assignments, turn to INFOhio. With quality resources and guidelines from Universal Design for Learning (UDL), educators can find engaging content that supports multiple means of engagement, representation, and action and expression. 

April is School Library Month, a time to celebrate librarians' vital role in fostering a love of reading and instilling digital, information, and media literacy skills in students to help them become literate and successful citizens. To celebrate, read about Ohio School Librarians participating in INFOhio user groups—ICoach and Users Council—doing amazing work with INFOhio resources.

April is National Poetry Month. Shower your students with INFOhio's quality digital content to support Ohio's Learning Standards. Let rhythm and rhyme downpour in your spring classroom!

Spring is here! The sun is shining, new growth is sprouting, and warmer temperatures are right around the corner. Celebrate spring with eBooks, videos, and activities from INFOhio that will engage students and revitalize your classroom. 

In honor of Youth Art Month, let’s explore a variety of eBooks for art teachers to help engage and excite art students. The arts can be a powerful tool to motivate reluctant readers, helping them engage with text and broaden their reading skills. Art teachers rely on text; fiction, fantasy, and nonfiction, to help inform and inspire students. Research and inquiry are an integral part of visual art education.  

March is Women's History Month. Quality text from eBook collections provided by INFOhio support knowledge-building and vocabulary development while increasing awareness and understanding of the contributions made by trailblazing women. 

GenYES Ohio is a resource collection and project-tracking platform that prepares Ohio students to become Student Technology Leaders (STLs) through technology-infused leadership instructional materials. With these resources, teachers can support a variety of classes and topics from STEM and makerspaces, to industrial arts and student-supported help desks.

February is Black History Month. Quality text from eBook collections provided by INFOhio support knowledge building and vocabulary development while increasing awareness and understanding of the contributions of African Americans.

Start off the new year using a collaborative, teacher-driven approach to professional learning. Communities of practice are formed by individuals with a common problem or interest who come together to fulfill goals. Online or in person, these communities focus on sharing best practices and building knowledge. These organic groups present opportunities for deeper connections and lasting support. With more than 800 professional learning eBooks and videos available from INFOhio, there are many topics educators can learn more about with a group of like-minded peers.