The Abbotsford School District recognizes the importance of proactively integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into education. It is committed to educating parents, students, and teachers on using it responsibly and ethically.
To achieve this, the Curriculum Department has developed guidelines and put together resources to help both parents and children in the District understand and use AI responsibly. Parents are encouraged to visit and access the resources at https://www.abbyschools.ca/ai-abby-schools.
Among those resources, a poster with the following six guidelines about artificial intelligence:
Holly Clark is a veteran educator with nearly 30 years of experience, has been at the forefront of integrating technology into classrooms. In 2018, while delivering a keynote in Beijing, she witnessed AI’s rapid advancements, sparking her deep interest in machine learning and its impact on education. Since then, she has authored four books on educational technology and trained over 100,000 educators on the effective and ethical use of AI in schools.
During her time teaching in the San Francisco Bay Area, Holly was among the first educators in the U.S. to implement a one-to-one device program in the late 1990s—long before digital learning became mainstream. She vividly recalls the project’s sponsor encouraging her to “show the world what technology can do for education,” a mission she continues to champion today.
At the Abbotsford School District’s annual Shared Learning Conference on February 14, 2025, Holly posed a thought-provoking question to hundreds of educators: Are we preparing students for retirement in 1985 or 2085? With today’s kindergarten students set to graduate in 2036, she emphasized the urgent need to equip them with the skills to navigate an AI-driven world, fostering adaptability and a growth mindset.
One of the core ideas in Holly’s presentation was AI’s ability to create immersive learning experiences. She illustrated this with an example of students studying the galaxy—rather than relying solely on textbooks, they could engage in interactive AI-driven explorations, ask deeper questions, receive instant answers, and overcome learning barriers through personalized support.
“AI should not be seen as a tool for quick answers but as a thought partner that helps students refine their ideas,” Clark explained. She highlighted its role in supporting students with dyslexia, assisting English language learners with real-time translations, and enabling gifted students to explore concepts more deeply.
A particularly compelling moment came when Holly shared a personal reflection on AI’s growing ability to mimic human connection. She recalled an experience with ChatGPT, where it not only reminded her to take a break but also remembered that she had lost her dog. This interaction sparked profound discussions about AI’s evolving role in emotional intelligence and human relationships, underscoring the need to thoughtfully navigate AI’s presence in education.
As AI continues to evolve, the Abbotsford School District is committed to empowering students not only to interact with AI but also to influence its future. By equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in an AI-driven world, the district ensures that technology enhances learning while maintaining the fundamental importance of human connection in education.
This commitment aligns with the Government of British Columbia’s broader approach to AI in K-12 education. The Ministry of Education and Child Care emphasizes a human-centred approach to AI, aiming to enhance learning while preserving meaningful human connections. Resources have been developed to help school boards, educators, and families understand and implement AI tools responsibly, including ethical guidelines, curriculum connections, and informative content for parents. To learn more, visit the AI in Education page from the Government of British Columbia.
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