Many educators aren’t resisting AI; they’re simply unsure where to start. Moving forward requires structure, guidance, and encouragement.
Introducing the ‘AI Ropes Course.’
Maggie Renken, Ph.D., ISM Consultant
Last year, my approach to AI adoption was to give faculty and staff time, space, and safety for exploration.
That’s why I’ve often recommended AI “playgrounds” or lunch-and-learn meetings. These are low-pressure spaces where faculty can experiment with AI tools side-by-side, share what works, swap “aha” moments, and talk about surface concerns. For many, including both AI enthusiasts and even the skeptics willing to dip a toe in, this model works beautifully.
But this year — as more schools move from “should we?” to “how will we?” — I’m noticing a third group: the stuck.
These are the educators who:
- Don’t know where to start.
- Feel completely overwhelmed by the tools, the options, and the unknowns.
- Can’t yet imagine where AI might fit naturally into their daily practice.
In change management, we expect resistance. But with AI, we’re asking for a deeper shift — one that goes straight to identity, ego, and expertise. We are, in essence, asking people to climb into a learning space that to some may feel unsafe.
Fear is a natural response.
It makes sense. We’d never ask children to explore reptiles for the first time by handling a rattlesnake. Discovery learning works best when it’s structured, scaffolded, and safe. Adults are no different, except we also bring the added weight of past experiences, awareness of risk, and a healthy sense of self-preservation.
This is where we shift: Instead of providing an AI playground, what we need is an AI ropes course.
From Stuck to Start
A colleague recently described it perfectly:
For the cautious many who have been observing from the edge, an invitation to play probably isn’t enough. What we need is the equivalent of a ropes course for people afraid of heights.
With an “AI ropes course,” we do the following for faculty/staff who feel stuck:
- Secure the harness: Set guardrails, norms, and safety nets before anyone begins.
- Guide the first climb: Start with one simple, high‑value task and scaffold from there.
- Provide an expert guide: Work alongside an expert who models vulnerability, confidence, and humility in equal measure
- Normalize the fear: Name it without judgment; frame AI as an enhancement, not a threat.
- Debrief when we reach the platform: Pause to reflect, share what worked (and what didn’t), and capture insights for the next climb.
Why This Matters Now
As you head into the new school year, inconsistent AI adoption among faculty/staff is a symptom of something deeper. It’s not that your teachers are unwilling. It’s that the psychological load is heavier than in most initiatives. This isn’t just a new grading system or tech tool. It’s a shift in how we see ourselves as educators and members of a school community.
If your school is feeling the weight of inconsistent use, is overwhelmed, or finds its progress stalled, it may be time to trade the playground (or alternatively, the mandate) for a ropes course.
Ready to Build Your Own AI Ropes Course?
I’ll be sharing a practical framework for designing your school’s AI ropes course in my upcoming AI Planning Webinar. I'll share strategies to:
- Identify where your teachers are on the adoption spectrum.
- Build safety, trust, and psychological readiness into your professional learning plan.
- Move your “stuck” educators from fear to confident, creative use.
Register here for the AI Planning Webinar, and let’s make this school year the one where your faculty not only use AI, but use it well.
And if your school is ready for a custom plan, I’d love to talk. You can book a consulting inquiry call with our sales success team.
