Artificial intelligence in classrooms is increasingly being used for tutoring support, language translation, checking for plagiarism, verifying student absences, teacher coaching, the administration and scoring of assessments, and other applications, according to an article in K-12 Dive.
Increasing use comes with positives and potential downsides. Many educators see opportunities for AI tech — such as personalized instruction for individual students and time-savings when conducting student or teacher-led research.
But the potential for cheating or false accusations of cheating, and overuse or inappropriate uses for AI systems, which collect large amounts of analyzed data to make predictions and perform tasks, concern some education leaders.
Here are five ways to sustain trusting relationships between teachers and students as use of AI expands, according to Shelley Pasnik, senior advisor to the Center for Children and Technology, a nonprofit that researches technology’s influences on teaching and learning.
1) Acknowledge What’s Known and Unknown
Have conversations about AI tools that will be used or are under consideration. This helps teachers and students better understand shared goals for AI applications, protections needed for inappropriate uses, and uncovers possible apprehension, anxiety and expectations.
Ask open-ended questions to discover what students know, what they’re thinking, what teachers know, and what they may be thinking.
Conversations can also show what teachers and students know and don’t know about classroom use of AI. This helps direct policies for AI-assisted instruction and learning.
2) Clarify Expectations
Policies written for using AI in classrooms must include governance and expectations. AI-assisted activities could be added to student codes of conduct or to teacher expectations for students, Pasnik says.
Some teachers take a very direct approach: if students answer assignments by using a large language model with algorithms to develop text, they will fail.
Expectations should also be paired with consequences for when trust is broken.
3) Encourage Collaboration to Explore New Experiences
Give teachers time to consult with each other about experiences with AI in the classroom. This can include how AI might alter lesson plan development or how it’s influencing pedagogy.
Ask parents if they have questions, worries or suggestions.
Both parents and teachers are experiencing changes in education that may be dramatically different from their own educational experiences.
4) Understand Reasons for AI Misapplications
Explore the possible overuse or improper use of AI by teachers and students to better understand why they are taking place. For example, a teacher with a surveillance mentality may use AI to help prevent cheating. A student might overuse AI if struggling.
5) Keep Pace with Technology
See the big picture. Examine AI in the larger context of instruction and learning and how it relates to other resources available to teachers and students. Teachers and students working together can study the benefits and limitations of AI assistance in learning. Compare and discuss, for instance, the differences in AI-generated and student-generated work.
6) Don’t Discount Biases
Perceived biases might come from algorithms or humans. Students and teachers should discuss how they think about their own biases and the biases of AI tools. Openness – being seen and heard — is key to trust. Make sure students are welcomed and included in AI discussions and that their social-emotional needs are being addressed.
K-12 Dive
