While Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been a hot topic in research labs for decades, it’s only recently entered the mainstream. This shift has brought forth many questions about how this technology might evolve and transform our lives, particularly its potential impact on education and learning spaces.
These questions and concerns are natural when any new technology enters schools – calculators, computers, and the Internet all caused stirs. But to many, this trend with AI feels different. “More than half of the teachers who responded to Forbes Advisor’s survey said they believe AI has positively affected the teaching and learning process. According to the same survey from Forbes, 60% of educators use it in their classrooms. This number will likely grow as more teachers become comfortable with AI-powered educational games, chatbots for tutoring, adaptive learning experiences, and automated feedback systems. Even with these positive reactions, however, there are clear trends in educators’ concerns regarding AI entering the classroom.
My personal suspicion is that people feel that AI is significant and will lead to large changes, but there is an overhanging sense of uncertainty about what that will look like in practice. This uncertainty surrounding AI and its presence in schools is exactly why schools and communities should discuss it proactively and openly. As AI technology becomes increasingly prevalent, its classroom integration has sparked intense debate among educators, policymakers, and families. While some view AI as a valuable tool for enhancing student learning, others express concerns about its potential impact on the educational landscape. Some want to preserve a low-tech childhood, while others want students to grow alongside technology to better adjust to it. While this blog will not cover everything, I hope it encourages you to begin and engage in conversations to learn more and help shape classrooms and student experiences in your community.
The implications are clear and significant: AI has taken a seat at the school, and class is in session, so now is the time to help students and teachers navigate this new frontier.
Consider the dramatic difference between the computational power introduced into classrooms via the calculator in the 1990s versus the magnitude of AI that is on the cusp of touching all learning spaces in the current decade.
A typical scientific calculator
in 1990
Capable of performing around 10-100 operations per second
An AI language model (i.e,. GPT-3)
in 2024
Capable of performing billions or even trillions of operations per second
Mindset for the Moment
The shift in policy and practice around classroom use of calculators and the internet took decades to play out, and the same will happen with AI. To navigate these changes, educators must adopt a balanced and informed approach. This mindset acknowledges AI’s potential benefits while recognizing its limitations and hazards. It involves being open to the possibilities of AI enhancing student learning and teacher efficacy while also being aware of its potential risks and downsides. Staying informed is crucial, with a focus on practical uses and real issues such as misinformation, bias, or breaches of academic integrity.
We must recognize that AI is a tool that can be used to enhance learning and teaching but not replace human interaction and judgment. By fostering a growth mindset among students, teachers, and staff, we can create a culture that is open to the possibilities of AI while also being mindful of its limitations or risks. By adopting this mindset, educators will be more adaptive to the changes that will surprise us.
Strategies for Schools in Response to AI Integration
As AI becomes increasingly prevalent in education, schools are taking various steps to address its integration. While there is no one-size-fits-all approach, I’ve observed the following strategies being implemented:
Establishing AI Ethics Guidelines
Schools are developing guidelines for the responsible use of AI in the classroom, addressing concerns around bias, transparency, and accountability. Students are not alone in needing guidance on using and engaging with AI in an educational setting. Students and teachers alike would benefit from support and guidance on how to integrate AI into their roles in the classroom ethically. Ideally, schools can promote a culture of responsible AI use that upholds academic integrity and encourages creativity while embracing innovation.
Teachers Talking About AI with Students:
Teachers are engaging in open discussions with students about AI, its capabilities, and its limitations. These conversations are a crucial first step in establishing clear expectations and boundaries for AI use in the classroom. For instance, a college professor in New Jersey has dedicated a section of her syllabus to responsible AI use, emphasizing in-class writing exams and reducing the emphasis on take-home papers. By doing so, she aims to promote original thought and minimize the risk of AI-generated content.
Developing AI-focused Curriculum
Many schools are incorporating AI-related topics, such as computer science, data science, and AI ethics. However, this approach requires substantial content expertise and capacity for schools, which can be challenging for under-resourced schools. Unfortunately, as a result, there is a risk that AI education may exacerbate existing inequalities in access to quality education.
Investing in AI-Powered Tools
Schools are investing in AI-powered tools, such as adaptive learning platforms, to enhance student learning and teacher productivity. This area has a lot of potential for students to get more personalized experiences. However, this shift exacerbates the broad concern of teachers that the use of AI will limit social and interpersonal interactions in the classroom. Educators will need to find the right balance, as with any technology, of how much access is sufficient to meet the learning goals for the students.
Providing Professional Development
Schools offer teachers training and support to develop the technical skills to integrate AI effectively into their teaching practices. When Large Language Models (LLM) were first introduced to the public, only the most curious of early adopters were venturing to use them. Now, teachers are actively seeking training to best use AI, and schools must grapple with some of the key decisions in play and support teachers in navigating them.
Another concern is that AI tools make mistakes. The Internet has numerous examples of AI getting something trivial incorrect, such as how often the letter r appears in the word strawberry.
Being Proactive
Every school district is forced to grapple with this changing reality. Some school districts are forced to be reactive as AI storms into classrooms and schools. An example of a school district being proactive in its response comes from Ohio. I recently met with a school leader in Cincinnati who shared how the school has formed a committee to outline best practices, use cases, and policies for their staff and students around the use of AI. The committee features teachers, school leaders, and district personnel, and they convene monthly strategic planning meetings on AI integration and policy within their schools. Undoubtedly, these policies will evolve, but formalizing a group to have these discussions is a powerful first step.
In conclusion, integrating AI in the classroom presents opportunities and challenges for students, teachers, and families. By acknowledging the benefits and concerns and working together to address the implications of AI adoption, we can ensure that education remains a human-centered, student-focused endeavor that prepares learners for success in a rapidly changing, technology-driven world.
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