This isn’t a sit-and-get — it’s a create-and-wonder studio. Inspired by Rob Dickson and Dyane Smokorowski's keynote, “Don’t Be an Album, Be a DJ,” this interactive session invites leaders into a playful space where AI becomes a tool for imagination, responsiveness, and authentic problem-solving.
Participants will explore how AI can help leaders rapidly remix ideas, build multimodal learning assets, spark collaboration, and uncover insights from complex data. Through guided practice, you’ll learn how to design professional learning that feels alive, adaptive, human-centered, and full of movement.
By the end of the session, you’ll not only understand the essentials of AI for professional learning—you’ll feel the confidence that comes from hands-on experience. You’ll leave ready to model innovation, support your teams, and design learning environments where curiosity drives the mix.
When: February 19, 2026 at noon ET
Time: 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. ET
Cost: $319 for Learning Forward members, $399 for non-members
Can’t make this date? Attendees receive 14 day access to the recorded event.
Who is this course for?
Professional learning leaders, principals, instructional coaches, curriculum directors, and anyone responsible for designing educator learning experiences.
Dyane Smokorowski and Rob Dickson were keynote speakers at Learning Forward's 2025 Annual Conference.
Responses to a keynote by Rob Dickson and Dyane Smokorowski
Learning Outcomes
Design adaptive, human-centered professional learning using AI. Participants will intentionally use AI to design professional learning experiences that are responsive, engaging, and grounded in authentic educator needs—without sacrificing relationships or professional judgment.
Rapidly remix and create multimodal learning assets. Participants will learn how to use AI to generate, adapt, and refine learning artifacts (e.g., agendas, prompts, visuals, protocols, data summaries) that support diverse learners and evolving contexts.
Use AI to deepen collaboration and insight-building. Participants will explore how AI can surface patterns, questions, and insights from complex information or data, enabling richer dialogue, shared meaning-making, and collective problem-solving.
Model confident innovation in professional learning. Participants will leave with hands-on experience and practical confidence to model AI-enabled innovation, fostering a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and continuous learning within their schools or systems.
How you'll learn
🎓
Hear clear guidance from educators who use AI in their district every day.
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Experience hands-on exploration of AI-enabled innovations.
✍️
Generate, adapt, and refine learning assets during the studio.
💡
Connect with other educators asking the same questions you are.
Lead with confidence as you explore how AI can enhance professional learning design and delivery, creating adaptive experiences that respond to real educator needs.
Pricing
$319 for Learning Forward members, $399 for non-members
Build measurable, adaptive professional learning systems that respond to data and educator feedback
Meet Your Instructors
Dyane Smokorowski is the Coordinator of Digital Literacy for Wichita Public Schools, where she leads professional learning that helps educators design classroom experiences grounded in strong pedagogy and purposeful technology integration. A nationally recognized educator, Smokorowski was named the 2013 Kansas Teacher of the Year and inducted into the National Teacher Hall of Fame in 2019. She leads with optimism, grounded in the belief that great teaching transforms lives.
Rob Dickson is the Chief Information Officer for Wichita Public Schools, where he heads technology strategy for 50,000 students and nearly 10,000 staff across 94 schools and programs. A 2021 Kansas City CIO of the Year (Public Sector) and a leader in digital transformation, Dickson has propelled Wichita to national recognition—including Microsoft Showcase School honors and innovative partnerships with higher education and industry. His work also includes founding the Education Imagine Academy, a thriving K-12 virtual school. He is driven by a passion to evolve education for the future of work — ensuring technology accelerates lifelong learning and student success.
Machel Mills-Miles is vice president, standards implementation & outreach at Learning Forward. She advances the conceptualization and development of tools and resources to support the use of revised Standards for Professional Learning. Mills-Miles formerly served as senior learning strategist at BloomBoard, director of professional learning systems with the Tennessee Department of Education, and teacher and instructional coach with Metro Nashville Public Schools. She began her education career as an English Language Arts teacher. Mills-Miles holds degrees in cognitive science from Northwestern University and teaching and learning in urban schools from Vanderbilt University. Mills-Miles maintains peace and balance by connecting with family and nature.
