In the evolving landscape of education, integrating AI tools can enhance learning experiences and support diverse educational needs. Here’s how I approach using AI in my classroom, ensuring it complements rather than supplants human insight and creativity. By leveraging AI, we can personalize learning experiences, provide immediate feedback, and adapt to individual student needs in a more efficient manner. Additionally, AI can assist in automating administrative tasks, allowing educators to allocate more time to personalized instruction and student engagement. This approach fosters a collaborative environment where technology is utilized as a valuable tool to amplify the educational process rather than a replacement for human interaction.

1. Writing with AI: Co-Writing Statements

I leverage various AI tools such as ChatGPT, MidJourney, Adobe Firefly, and Gemini to co-write statements. These tools assist in generating ideas, refining content, and providing diverse perspectives. By co-writing with AI, I can offer students examples of high-quality writing and demonstrate the collaborative potential between humans and machines.

2. Fact-Based Content Generation

When I generate readings or instructional materials using AI, I ensure they are based on verifiable facts. This practice is crucial to maintaining the integrity of educational content. Importantly, AI-generated readings are intended to complement, not replace, the voices and experiences of those present. They serve as supplementary materials that broaden students’ understanding without overshadowing firsthand accounts and expert insights.

3. Using AI-Generated Images

Images produced by AI tools, like those from MidJourney and Adobe Firefly, are utilized as discussion starters. These visuals spark curiosity and encourage students to engage in critical thinking and dialogue. However, I emphasize that AI-generated images are not primary sources. They are springboards for conversation, not definitive representations of historical or factual events.

4. Student Use of AI: Pre-Approval Required

To ensure responsible and effective use of AI, students must seek permission before incorporating AI into any assignment. This pre-approval process allows me to guide them on ethical usage, appropriate application, and to monitor the integration of AI in their work. This policy helps maintain academic integrity and ensures that AI is used as a tool for enhancement rather than a shortcut.

5. Adhering to The Three Laws from Foundation

In my classroom, AI usage adheres to The Three Laws from Isaac Asimov’s “Foundation” series, adapted to an educational context:

• Law 1: AI must not harm students or the learning environment.
• Law 2: AI must follow the guidelines and objectives set by educators, provided these do not conflict with the first law.
• Law 3: AI can enhance learning experiences, provided it does not conflict with the first two laws.

By following these principles, I ensure that AI is a beneficial and ethical component of the educational process. My approach fosters a balanced and thoughtful integration of technology, preparing students for a future where human-AI collaboration is the norm.

This is part of my Generative AI in the Classroom series where I write about how AI is changing education and what I have learned from using it. Read the rest of this series here.