Technology plays a pivotal role in the ever-changing education landscape. One of the most significant advancements reshaping classrooms today is Artificial Intelligence (AI). By integrating AI into curriculum, classroom activities, and even online learning, students will thrive in a learning environment that promotes equity, excellence, and student success.
The New York Times encourages educators to assume their students are using AI. At ASU Prep, we’re not just assuming; we’re embracing it. Let’s empower educators with the tools they need to inspire the next generation of learners.
AI as a learning tool
AI is revolutionizing the way we approach education. It’s about creating adaptive learning environments that cater to each student’s unique learning style, pace, and interests. This signifies a shift toward more personalized, efficient, and immersive learning experiences.
Take ALEKS, for instance, an AI-based platform that tailors the learning experience to each student’s unique needs, constantly assessing their knowledge and skills to optimize learning outcomes. Similarly, language learning apps like Duolingo utilize AI to offer interactive learning platforms where students receive immediate feedback and guidance, thereby deepening their understanding and mastery of languages.
ChatGPT, a popular choice among students, serves as a personalized learning companion, available 24/7 to answer questions, explain complex concepts, or provide assignment feedback. This tool adjusts to each student’s unique learning style and pace, fostering independent learning and nurturing a lifelong love for knowledge exploration.
Enhancing teacher efficiency with AI
Teachers can harness AI to streamline daily tasks, such as grading assignments, creating rubrics, tracking student progress, and drafting professional emails—making their administrative duties more manageable and freeing up time to focus on what truly matters: inspiring and engaging their students.
A teacher may have a brilliant idea for a lesson but needs a spark to ignite the creative process of piecing it all together. Enter AI, a great brainstorming partner, churning out innovative lesson plans, seamlessly blending the educator’s vision with engaging teaching strategies.
Dr. Brian Koster, ASU Prep Digital Lead Training Specialist, shares that at Ed Tech professional development sessions, they model the versatility of AI. “We even show educators how to meal plan using ChatGPT. We try to get them really excited with hands-on experience. We show them just how powerful and useful it can be.”
Creating engaging learning environments with AI
AI-powered platforms can make lessons more engaging and effective by adapting educational content to align with each student’s learning style. This personalized approach can help cater to individual learning needs, thereby promoting educational equity.
Educators and students can use AI to create videos, presentations, and artwork. Exploring and experimenting with AI tools is vital as students prepare for future professions that might not exist today. While AI won’t replace all jobs, it’s set to create new ones. Dr. Koster notes, “Getting students excited about AI gets them interested in computer science. That is one of my passions because I know that when they graduate high school and college, there will be new jobs.”
Digital citizenship: guiding responsible use of AI
Part of embracing AI in the classroom includes teaching digital citizenship and academic integrity. This encourages the responsible and ethical use of technology.
Dr. Koster encourages educators, saying “We need to have conversations with students explaining that AI is an amazing tool, but we can’t rely on it. We still have to do our own jobs; we have to be students. We have to learn. But we can use it as a tool.”
Dr. Koster shares that whenever he displays an AI-generated presentation, he includes a footnote “created in part with ChatGPT,” to give credit but to also highlight the transformative power of AI assistance. This display of technology integration serves as an example to educators and students alike, showing how to leverage AI’s capabilities while maintaining academic integrity by acknowledging its contribution.
Join us to learn more
At ASU Prep, we’re not just keeping up with the times—we’re shaping the future of education. We invite all educators to join our upcoming professional development sessions: “AI Tools: Presentation and Content Creation” and “AI Tools: ChatGPT for Educators”. These sessions are designed to empower you with the knowledge and skills to effectively implement AI tools in your classrooms. Check out the training calendar here.
