Key points:
Like many educators, I have strong feelings about the abundance of artificial intelligence now used in schools. Some teachers choose to take a Gandalf approach to AI and declare that it “SHALL NOT PASS!” the doors to their classroom. Others adopt what could be called a Champman’s Homer attitude, one of awe and wonder at the vast new horizon of possibility laid out before them. Mine has been an equal mix of excitement and frustration. I believe there really are some powerful, transformative technologies out there that have the potential to revolutionize education in countless ways. Unfortunately, right now, we are not implementing them particularly well.
So, how do we introduce AI into our classrooms so that it elevates student curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking? I believe there are five keys to making this a successful reality:
- Vision: There are many ways to be a great teacher and build a positive learning environment, and each school has its own unique flavor of excellence. The presence of AI shouldn’t change schools’ fundamental visions; rather, leaders should help to identify ways in which new technologies can work in service of their broader mission. Grounding AI in that reality is where we start–as you embark on your AI journey, it helps to know clearly where you’re headed!
- Agreement: Consensus is vital when it comes to including AI in schools.If it’s going to be used, it’s important to build broad agreement on where, when, and how it should be used. This can be challenging, but it’s not impossible. By gathering diverse stakeholders together–teachers, parents, students, staff–schools can draft social contracts that specify AI’s role and limits in learning. This gets everyone pulling in the same direction and invested in a shared goal.
- Learning: One interesting aspect of AI is that right now, everybody is learning how to use it–including teachers! There are so many different tools and strategies that can be used to spark deep learning. Teachers need training that helps them to explore these possibilities and get hands-on experience, seeing for themselves just what these tools can do for them. That way, they are better equipped to help students use AI ethically, responsibly, and effectively.
- Unleashing: Once teachers have been exposed to the different ways AI tools can effectively promote deeper learning, we want to unleash them in the classroom. Every classroom has its own unique set of needs, and teachers should test whether these new AI tools and techniques have a positive impact on their students. One way to think about it is to think of the school as a beehive. Bees don’t move together in a swarm–instead, they spread out, searching for the most productive areas and bringing their findings back to the hive. In the same way, teachers should take their new knowledge into the classroom and test to see how well it performs before sharing their findings with everyone else.
- Evaluation: Every educator knows that making mistakes is a part of the learning process. With every new technology will comes drawbacks, unforeseen problems, and well-laid plans that don’t reach fruition. What matters is our willingness to evaluate what works, what doesn’t, and change our approach accordingly. One helpful strategy is to have teachers get together in groups and share what is and isn’t working for them. This allows the best practices to be shared throughout the community while also connecting educators who are facing similar problems.
All technology can be used for good or for ill. While the growing presence of AI can make some teachers nervous, it doesn’t change the fundamental mission of education or the role we play in fostering student growth. Instead, teachers and administrators should view this as an opportunity to further transform our classrooms into spaces that spark student inquiry. Let’s embrace the challenge before us and work together to build a future for our students where technology amplifies their learning but never defines it.
Ben Talsma, Van Andel Institute for Education
Ben Talsma is a Learning Specialist at Van Andel Institute for Education, a Michigan-based education nonprofit dedicated to creating classrooms where curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking thrive.
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