Georgia Educator Will Present AI Insights Nationally
Grace Beam will showcase a statewide professional development program at two upcoming national AI conferences this fall.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Distance Learning
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Grace Beam, the director of Online Learning and Development at Georgia Northwestern Technical College, will deliver four presentations across two national conferences in October and November 2026. Her sessions focus on an artificial intelligence professional development program designed for the Technical College System of Georgia.
Why it matters
These presentations highlight successful strategies for integrating artificial intelligence into technical education by showcasing a model built within a 22-college system. The program provides a template for educators nationwide to adapt as AI continues to reshape classroom instruction.
Grace Beam, who possesses 14 years of full-time teaching experience, will represent a system comprising 22 Georgia colleges. Her presentations were selected by the Online Learning Consortium through a double-blind peer review.
The players
Grace Beam
She serves as the director of Online Learning and Development at Georgia Northwestern Technical College.
Technical College System of Georgia
This network encompasses 22 individual colleges providing technical education and workforce training across the state.
Online Learning Consortium
This is a professional organization dedicated to advancing the quality and accessibility of digital and online learning.
The details
The presentations draw on a program that originated as informal sessions for a small group of faculty before scaling to the state level. Beam plans to cover topics including statewide program scaling and the design of cheat-resistant academic assignments.
Timeline
The National Summit on Artificial Intelligence takes place in Chandler, Arizona, from Oct. 14-16, 2026.
Grace Beam will present on statewide program scaling on Oct. 15, 2026.
Grace Beam will lead a workshop on cheat-resistant design on Oct. 16, 2026.
The OLC Accelerate 2026 conference occurs in Orlando from Nov. 16-19, 2026.
Grace Beam will host two final sessions at the OLC Accelerate conference on Nov. 18-19, 2026.
Roadmap
The transition toward AI-integrated curricula represents a significant shift in modern distance learning methodologies. By sharing these findings, Georgia educators are positioning regional technical systems as key contributors to national educational standards.
The adoption of these training modules could lead to more consistent and effective AI-based learning tools for students across Georgia. Faculty members may soon see updated resources and design strategies implemented within their own college departments.
The takeaway
Educators looking to incorporate AI should focus on developing scalable models that prioritize academic integrity. Peer-reviewed presentations such as these provide valuable roadmaps for institutions seeking to modernize their teaching strategies.
Further reading
For more information on innovations in digital instruction, visit our Distance Learning section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chattanoogan.
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