How to Utilize Artificial Intelligence Tools in Your Classroom

Written by Savannah Munholland

What are AI Tools?

As technology continues to improve and new innovations transform everyday life, no industry will be left untouched, and technology has already impacted the way teachers function in the classroom and the way students learn. Now, every school has a computer lab and students are encouraged to use laptops or Chromebooks in classes every day. Many computer applications can improve learning and supplement the curriculum with students able to interact with lessons rather than just listening to a lecture. Technology has also transformed how instructors can deliver information through multimedia and engaging approaches.

One of the biggest recent innovations is artificial intelligence (AI). When many people think about AI, they picture robots. However, while robots can be powered by AI, this technology is also much more than that. AI is a series of computer programs and languages that allow an application to do tasks and communicate in ways that are similar to humans. Great examples of AI platforms are Apple's Siri and Amazon's Alexa. They understand commands and questions and then complete a task or respond intelligently.

AI tools are beginning to appear in classrooms across the country to transform students' classroom experience, and they are changing how many lessons and concepts are taught, making them more interactive for students. AI's predictive technology can also tailor lessons to different students' unique comprehension levels and understanding. Instead of a one-size fits all solution, AI takes lessons at each student's pace so that they can learn efficiently and gain a deeper understanding of the material.

Students aren't the only ones who will benefit from AI in the classroom. Teachers will be able to provide more support to their students at scale, aiding them in developing lesson plans and assignments, tracking student progress, and identifying students who might need more help. Using AI to help with the administrative side of things will allow teachers to have more time to spend supporting students' academic and personal development. Plus, teachers will be able to build more meaningful relationships with students by engaging them in their lessons and getting them excited to learn.

AI may seem innovative now, but it's still in the early stages of its development. As AI will only continue to advance, becoming smarter and capable of more actions, teachers will need to stay up-to-date on AI's advancements to use it efficiently, control its usage in the classroom, and extract benefits. To do so, teachers must understand the AI learning platforms available to them, how they work, and what the pros and cons of AI technology are.

Current AI Tools: Capabilities and Limitations

To use AI tools effectively in the classrooms, teachers will need to have a comprehensive understanding of the available platforms and their capabilities and limitations. AI can do a lot, but it's still new and most have drawbacks when it comes to using them in an educational setting. Teachers and policymakers should continuously research the AI education platforms available to them to see how they could enhance students' learning experience.

While there are many AI platforms out there, all of which can provide unique benefits to the classroom, here are some of the most common and popular ones:

ChatGPT

This natural language processor gained popularity in late 2022, stirring up many different reactions to its release. Some people are amazed by ChatGPT's ability to answer questions, solve problems, and complete requests while communicating conversationally. Other people fear that it may replace human jobs or affect a person's desire to learn.

Many schools have banned this application for fear of students using it to cheat, for the fact that it may provide biased or misinformation, and for the idea that it might negatively affect the development of students' critical thinking skills. ChatGPT can do a lot, but it's still learning and evolving, which means it's also unclear where the technology is heading and whether it will be something useful for teachers.

Dall-E 2

Dall-E 2 is created by the same company that made ChatGPT, OpenAI. Whereas ChatGPT responds to user prompts with words, Dall-E 2 creates images. The user types a description of the image they want to see, and Dall-E 2 creates a high-resolution art picture that matches it. However, Dall-E 2 also has limitations just as ChatGPT does, and it may not always be entirely accurate in the picture it generates, meaning the end result is not what the user prompted it to create.

MATHia

Math is hard, and some students may need more individualized attention beyond the classroom. MATHia is a math learning program that engages students to solve problems, then gives them immediate feedback. They are able to see what they did wrong in the problem and track their progress toward their learning goals. Educators will also get a report that details student progress so that they can understand where a student is struggling and where they need more help. MATHia, of course, cannot and should not replace in-class instruction, but it makes a great addition to assignments and projects.

Memrise

Similar to how MATHia creates personalized learning for math, Memrise provides students with individual learning plans to study different languages. It helps students grow their foreign language vocabulary and their understanding of grammar while focusing more on areas students struggle with and less on concepts they've mastered. Memrise even has image recognition, so users can take a picture of an object, and Memrise will give the word for it in another language. Like MATHia, Memrise shouldn't replace foreign language instruction, however. Language is a complex and nuanced topic, and while Memrise is a great tool to use, it will not completely cover all aspects of language learning.

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Pros and Cons of Technology in the Classroom

There's a widespread, ongoing debate about the benefits and risks of AI that is being held in school districts across the country, as educators grapple with AI's potential to either elevate student experience or damage their learning. However, to really grapple with the use of AI technologies in education, it's helpful to take a look at the specific pros and cons that come along with this technology. This way teachers and educators can weigh whether or not they want to begin incorporating into the classroom and what pitfalls they want to be aware of.

AI technology does have many great qualities that can improve the experience of teachers and students alike. Here are a few ways it can benefit the classroom:

So, while there are benefits to the use of AI technology, there are some major drawbacks as well that can make a teacher's job more difficult and can negatively impact student learning.

Strategies for Using AI in Education

AI isn't going anywhere, so it's a good idea to teach students how to use it effectively. Plus, it can provide new and exciting ways to engage students in lessons. After all, engaging students is the best way to help them learn. As Dr. Michelle Stacy of Blackburn College says, "Developing engaging lessons is the best classroom management strategy! We all need to learn more about high-quality instructional materials that engage our students." And one way to engage students is by utilizing innovative technology. But amidst fears that AI will take over, how can teachers use AI in education without replacing the necessary human element?

Supplement Instruction, Don't Replace It

First, AI must supplement instruction, not replace it. Right now, it's clear that AI lacks the creativity and depth to provide students with total comprehension of a subject. For example, a language-learning platform may help the student expand their vocabulary and learn basic grammar structure, but it may not be able to inform students of all the grammar exceptions and nuances that exist in foreign languages, which is why human instruction is so vital. Perhaps teachers use class time to instruct, then assign the use of the AI learning platform for homework.

Teach the Basics of AI

Many students may not fully understand the capabilities or limitations of AI or how to use it properly. For successful AI usage, students need to be taught about AI. They can explain what it is, how it's used, and its potential and limitations. That way, students are more informed before they use it and can ensure they are using it properly.

Teachers can also integrate AI applications into assignments. This way, students can interact with the platforms in a controlled environment. Instructors should set clear guidelines for usage and carefully monitor how the students interact with them.

Enhance Classroom Management

Finally, teachers can think about how they want to improve their classroom management and student support and figure out how AI can assist with that. Does a teacher want to spend less time grading and more time determining how to aid student development? Then they might want to look into an AI-powered grading management system. If they want to create unique and engaging assignments, they can consult an AI platform. Used in the right way, AI technology can act as an aid to teachers and allow them to focus more on their students rather than their other responsibilities.

Classroom AI: Examples

Now that teachers are equipped with good strategies to use AI in the classroom, they'll need to brainstorm ways it can be used. Once again, teachers need to think about how AI can benefit students without making them over-reliant on AI-generated responses.

Here are a few classroom AI techniques teachers can utilize:

1. Editing and Composition: Writing is a crucial part of education. It does more than teach sentence structure; it also encourages critical thinking. While AI should not replace student composition, it can still be used to show students proper grammar and make them better self-editors. Platforms like Grammarly will give real feedback while explaining why the edit needs to be made. If students engage with it meaningfully, they can improve their writing skills.
2. Personalized Lessons: After a teacher delivers a lesson, their goal is for students to be able to apply it in assignments and exams. AI learning platforms can engage with students to help drive these concepts home with personalized learning plans that cater to their strengths and weaknesses. These platforms can be used in the classroom after the lesson or assignments to be used at home as homework.
3. Test Prep: Some students struggle to develop study skills, which is crucial for success throughout their academic careers. AI platforms can make studying easier with platforms that can quiz students on lessons, provide tutoring, and identify areas students have mastered and areas that need more focus.
4. Plagiarism Detection: While AI platforms like ChatGPT increase the risk of cheating, AI can also help teachers detect plagiarized content. Platforms like Grammarly and Turnitin will analyze a written piece and then search the web for similar content. It makes it much easier for teachers to identify plagiarized content and may deter students from attempting to cheat.

Strategies for Discouraging Misuse of Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom

For AI to be successfully used in the classroom, teachers need to have strategies in place to discourage AI misuse. First and foremost, teachers can set clear, written expectations on how students can use AI in the classroom. These expectations should be included in course policies that students read and agree to. Along with that, real consequences for AI misuse can be instituted .

Some students don't respond well to rules being set that they don't understand. Teachers can also explain to students the risks of AI and why these policies are in place. Increased understanding may dissuade students from trying to go against the rules. To discourage plagiarism and cheating from AI-generated content, teachers can scaffold assignments or break them into smaller parts. This makes it harder for students to use AI since multiple AI-generated responses will not flow well together or create a cohesive assignment or essay.

Finally, one must understand that there will be a learning curve for teachers and their students when it comes to AI usage. There may be a trial-and-error aspect to integrating AI into the classroom. What's important is that teachers keep their goals in mind, are clear on their expectations, and are adaptable to the ever-changing technological environment.