Educators discuss the impact of AI on students

As AI continues to evolve as  an integral part of the education space, educators discuss the impact of AI on students. Plagiarism is still top of mind as educators exchanged strategies for preventing student plagiarism using the tool. Strategies include outlining assignments using graphic organizers and assignments where students create memos detailing their mistakes.

  • “The only way I’ve found to successfully curb the unauthorized use of AI in my classroom this semester is to devote time in class to outlining written assignments using graphic organizers.” —High School ELA Teacher in Texas
    • “Good idea. On paper, digital or you let the student choose? My team teacher recently did an argumentative essay all on paper.” —Middle School Social Studies Teacher, N/A
      • “On paper. Final drafts are digital, but I can tell if there’s cheating if there’s a huge discrepancy between paper and final versions.” —High School English Teacher in Texas
    • “Is it the scaffolding they need to tackle writing? I have seen students who I think turn to AI because they just get stuck and don’t know what else to do. One student even typed, “I am so stuck.” The next entry…2 pages of text.” —Educator in Illinois 
      • “It’s been very helpful as a tool for snuck-ness. It allows them and me to see where they’re stuck in the process.” —High School English Teacher in Texas
    • “What’s the reason against AI? I’ve been grappling with how best to leverage it in teaching.” —Post-Secondary Educator, N/A
      • “Because I need to know they have the skills to execute a piece of written work. I have used AI in my classroom; I’ve talked about it here. But my 10th graders have a state assessment they can’t use AI on, so they need to know the process.” —High School English Teacher in Texas
    • “Agreed! I have printed our 11-step writing packet, made classroom binders, and had students complete all pre-drafting steps in the binder. Not only does it cut AI use, but anecdotally it has made my turn in rate higher!” —ELA Teacher, N/A
    • “The AI stuff is so obviously AI because it cannot respond to complex assignments that require the use of multiple sources. I give time in class to plan & draft yet there is always one or two who try it.” —High School Educator in California
  • “Frustrated with students using AI on assignments? Here’s an idea. Have them turn in a ‘my favorite mistakes’ memo with the product they’re making. On this, they identify mistakes they made and what they learned as a result of them (best done with activities involving revision). Not only is this more difficult for generative AI to do (though, admittedly not impossible with some good prompting), but it also helps students see the value of making mistakes in their learning.” —High School ELA Teacher in Washington
  • “I know this is the classic ‘I’m not mad I’m disappointed’ but when students use AI to generate a discussion post it makes me sad. I also can tell because no one uses that many adjectives in a paragraph.” —Educator, N/A
  • “When students use AI to complete an assignment, they are simply taking the fastest route to the goal. The problem is that we’ve conditioned students that the goal of school is to get good grades, not to learn. If the goal is to learn, it gets much harder to ‘cheat’ with AI.” —High School ELA Teacher in Washington
    • “Some students in my class are dabbling  in how to ethically integrate AI into our writing process…it’s fascinating work and we’re learning together.” —High School English Teacher in Pennsylvania
  • “Teaching students to write in a way that AI can detect as ‘satisfactory’ is not actually making students good writers.” —High School English Teacher in Texas
    • “My student showed me some crazy website that their science teacher was using to assign a 6 paragraph essay worth 200 points as a midterm grade and wanted me to explain why it didn’t like the way they were writing. I couldn’t come up with an answer. It was nonsensical.” —Educator, N/A

 Educators also discussed how the responsible use of AI can be beneficial for students by helping students generate ideas and providing support during their learning process. 

  • “I think AI has opened a lot of opportunities for students to think about the possibilities of how technology can transform our lives in positive ways. I think that students learning how to work with, and gain the most from AI will be a skill for the future.” —STEM Educator in Utah
  • “AI can help students generate ideas & provide them with an instant critique of their work. Use my Informational Writing Rubric alongside #ChatGPT to improve your student’s #writing skills across subject areas: https://bit.ly/46q9Hx5” —Educator in California 
  • “Allowing students to see how math works in the student’s world will create connections. AI brings ways for teachers to quickly create a scenario that the math applies to that students can relate to.  I am excited to see where the new tools take the math classroom.” —Educator in Texas
  • “Understanding large language models is essential for educators. This knowledge empowers educators to effectively utilize AI in teaching, ensuring that students are equipped with the skills and understanding necessary to navigate a world increasingly influenced by AI.” —Educator in Montana
  • “To my teacher friends (especially English teachers): What are your thoughts about students using AI for their writing? Of course there are students who will enter a question, prompt, etc., into a site or app and let the program do all the work. But I have some students who basically use AI to proofread/correct their writing. It’s their ideas, but the AI is doing the fine tuning of the grammar and conventions. Is this a commendable and smart use of AI, or would you still consider it to be cheating?”—High School English Teacher in North Carolina
    • “I would not consider editing writing conventions cheating, but I do believe using a prompt to write a whole paper would be (in my opinion).” —Elementary Teacher in North Carolina 
  • “Based on a post I read about students wanting their teachers to understand the power of AI…I compiled a survey from students around the globe on how they are using AI …here are some of the interesting results. The results are surprising, and I analyzed the data with the help of Chat GPT.” —Educator in California
    • “I’d love to learn more about the survey and whether these ideas shifted by geography & other demographics.” —Post-Secondary Educator in New York
      • “Honestly it was less about geography and more about the time when they answered the survey. The more time schools had to deal with AI the better the responses by kids in terms of use. Geographically [there is] little difference.” —Educator in California
    • “The power of critical thinking and using AI is KEY here! Love that this infographic captures that very important component. I’ve always thought critical thinking was important. Now more than ever with generative AI. THIS is what we need to be pouring into our students.” —Educator in Indiana
    • “Love the power of AI. As teachers, we must help students use it productively and responsibly!” —High School English Teacher in Illinois
  • “AI can also help kids with special needs by making more things voice-activated (i.e. Alexa/Siri/etc). Or simply taking their amazing content and fixing the mechanics (spelling/grammar).” —Educator in Maryland
    • “The conversation-like interaction that AI can offer to students could be helpful.” —Educator, N/A
    • “In class, we dove deeper into AI and used the morning to discuss its pros and cons. As teachers, we have no reference or data to drive instruction regarding AI – conversations & transparency with students are essential. Humorously, a student shared that AI sounds like me.” —Middle School Teacher in Toronto
      • “Some teachers are running from AI, trying to make sure that kids don’t use it to cheat. Please, if they want to cheat they will find a way. Discussions around AI with students is a great way to prep them for proper and ethical usage of AI. I love this!” —Teacher in New Mexico
    • “I’ve been on a mission to find a generative AI chatbot tailored specifically for schools and student use. I have looked and looked. So far, one standout is Chat for Schools. It is powered by the GPT LLMs but ensures a safe environment for students.” —Educator in Montana
      • “I would say to take a look at @magicschoolai. Raina is most definitely an Ai chatbot catered to education. But there are so many more Ai tools available. And @magicschoolai is working on a student platform. So in due time this will be a one stop shop for Ai in education.” —Instructional Coach in Tennessee