NEWPORT NEWS — Hampton Roads Academy will welcome world-renowned educational technology expert Helen Crompton, who will share her insights on the role of artificial intelligence in schools as part of the school’s “At the Helm” speaker series.
The talk, to be held on HRA’s campus Nov. 13 at 6 p.m., is free and open to the public.
According to the academy, “At the Helm” provides a dynamic platform for thought-provoking conversations that extend beyond HRA to engage the wider community. Connecting attendees with insights, resources, and expertise, it adds the series reflects the school’s broader impact as a local center of learning and excellence.
The inaugural session of “At the Helm,” held in January, featured deans, directors and vice presidents of admissions at regional institutions who helped demystify the college admissions process for families throughout Hampton Roads.
Organizers said this presentation will tackle a topic that is “no less pressing in the minds of students and parents: the evolving reality of AI.” Crompton’s talk will offer a grounded, practical look at this technology’s impact and applications in education and everyday life. The academy promises participants will not only learn about the potential risks of AI use, but also gain insight into emerging tools, ethical considerations, and strategies for using AI to support learning, creativity and well-being both at home and at school.
Holding a Ph.D. in educational technology and mathematics education from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Crompton serves as Executive Director of the Research Institute for Digital Innovation in Learning and Professor of Instructional Technology at Old Dominion University. She has published over 250 papers and garnered numerous accolades for her work on AI and technology integration, earning the SCHEV award for Outstanding Professor of Virginia and a place on Stanford’s list of the Top 2% of Scientists in the World.
Crompton’s expertise also extends beyond academia to international educational policy, the academy said. She serves as a consultant for various governments and organizations such as the United Nations and the World Bank, leveraging her knowledge to drive meaningful change in educational technology.
According to Head of School Jay Lasley, HRA’s collaboration with Crompton for “At the Helm” reflects the school’s commitment to leading on responsible integration and regulation of AI in the curriculum. Such important conversations will play a critical role in equipping the school’s faculty to remain at the forefront of teaching technologies and practices, he added.
“AI will redefine how we do work and relate to technology in the coming years and decades,” Lasley said. “We are dedicated to engaging with this technology in a way that empowers our students to succeed in higher education and in their lives and careers beyond that—and sets an example that other schools can follow.”
At Crompton’s talk, the school said families and educators from across the region will “discover a vision for cultivating AI literacy without sacrificing critical thinking, well-rounded knowledge, interpersonal skills, and the many other benefits of a liberal arts education that schools like HRA hold dear.”
