The challenge
Dr. Rachelle Dené Poth serves as an educator, attorney, consultant author, speaker, and Spanish and STEM teacher who prioritizes emerging technologies in the classroom. As the predominance of AI continues sweeping educational environments, Dr. Rachelle explores the importance of utilizing AI — not solely as a technological method — but as a catalyst for collaboration, innovation, and equal access in learning.
The solution
Dr. Rachelle names various ways in which students have used WeVideo to embrace innovative AI-assisted multimedia projects, like:
- Researching the impact of climate on the environment
- Creating documentaries, skits, or presentations
- Storytelling through video creation
- Generating creative images to spark conversations
Dr. Rachelle emphasizes the importance of taking risks — such as shifting around desks or being vulnerable with new project ideas — to create environments where students can thrive. She emphasizes the importance of facilitating with AI (not letting it replace a teacher’s presence) while creating space for students to jump in and share their wisdom.
Dr. Rachelle prioritizes AI as a tool to bring people together, not as a tool to replace teacher-student or student-student connection.
The results
AI in education is a catalyst for deeper learning — not from technology alone — but from the skill development it can foster. For both teachers and students in synchronous or asynchronous environments, proper use of AI in classrooms can promote:
- Empowered learning
- Collaboration
- Innovation
- Accessibility
- Excitement
- Curiosity
- Community
- Creativity
- Connection
- Critical thinking
- And more!
Key takeaways
Dr. Rachelle stresses the importance of educating students about the proper use of AI, including:
- Honoring privacy and ethics: Refraining from including personally identifiable data
- Ensuring access: Maintaining endless possibilities in learning by ensuring everyone has access to AI resources, no matter the learning environment
- Upholding academic integrity: Training and preparing students on the importance of maintaining standards of excellence in their original work
Hear the full story
Watch Dr. Rachelle share her approach to using AI in the classroom in ways that spark innovation and collaboration, recorded during WeVideo's first ever ENGAGE 2025 annual conference.
Practical strategies for educators
- Lean into vulnerability: Take risks in classrooms with creative approaches that allow you to connect deeper with students and for students to connect more deeply with each other.
- Ask questions: Dr. Rachelle always considers the methods she can use, the benefits of them, the impact they could have on students, and what type of technology can support that vision.
- Consider the AI-ready graduate: Does your curriculum support a learner, synthesizer, ideator, connector, and storyteller?