Responsible & Ethical Implementation

The 2024 National Educational Technology Plan (NETP)  recognizes technology as a powerful tool to transform learning through student-centered and personalized models. It also acknowledges the present-day failure of technology to realize its full potential to benefit all students. The 2024 NETP calls upon all education agencies to close divides in digital use, digital design, and digital access that contribute to growing inequities.

Risks

• Digital Divides may be created or exacerbated by unequal AI implementation

  • Digital Use Divide: Students who actively use digital tools including GenAI for higher-level learning tasks such as analysis, creation, and evaluation are at a significant advantage over students who don't use it or who use it for low-level activities and passive assignment completion.

  • Digital Design Divide: Teachers who receive quality ed tech professional learning are better equipped to design effective digital learning experiences for all students. A digital design divide can take place between neighboring classrooms in the same school, schools in the same district, and districts throughout the state.

  • Digital Access Divide: Teachers and students in some communities have far better access than others to the devices, internet connectivity, and resources that GenAI-use requires.

• Differences in exposure and use of GenAI tools can position some students to gain skills and competencies they will need to thrive in future workplaces while leaving others behind. A lack of AI literacy could potentially limit students' career opportunities.

• Widespread AI bans and/or inconsistent expectations have the potential to perpetuate an uneven playing field for students who lack access to educational support and resources.