Should Teachers Use AI in the Classroom?

The jury is still out whether teachers and students should use AI in the classroom. Let's not be naive though. It's not a matter of should. It's a matter of when. Check out some practical examples.

It’s wild when you consider more students know about artificial intelligence than their teachers. And it isn’t always the teacher’s fault although some would like to pretend it doesn’t exist and to stay away as much as possible.

AI can reap tremendous productivity benefits for teachers and students with tasks you probably never imagined yet were possible. When you hear about them the first time you may be in denial, disbelief, disillusioned, or dismayed by the consequences of using AI in the classroom. Furthermore, when you empower students with this technology, you may argue its adoption will turn them into mindless drones without skills that they need to pass tests, gain required skills for survival, or keep a job in the future.

Rather than try to convince you teachers should use AI much like convincing you to use Zoom back in 2015 before the COVID-19 pandemic, I would like to prepare you with some practical ideas you can use as a teacher, a homeschool parent, or a student looking to gain the extra edge without compromising the unintended consequences. That is developing practical knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors AI can teach you inside the classroom and beyond.

English Language Arts

When some kids start kindergarten today, they are given Chromebooks and taught how to use the computer to log into specific applications and web tools installed. At home they have voice assistants like Amazon Alexa, YouTube videos they can watch (hopefully you are supervising them!), and video game consoles that offer more English Language Arts solutions than your traditional picture flip book. Spellcheck, auto-correct, and Grammarly are already available on most computers.

Asking a student to read a book out loud in front of his classmates might seem like a big challenge. Having one read a book using screen capture video and producing captions for the video reading is another. The benefit of making videos with captions is the AI will take the phonetic sounds and convert them to text on the video. The mispronunciation of a word will teach you to say it right the next time.

Action items for ELA teachers

Some YouTube videos read better than most teachers in person. These videos offer more consistency, and better production quality, and can be replayed over and over especially when the teacher loses their voice or isn’t feeling up to par for the day. If you ask Amazon Alexa to spell a word, you will get the proper phonetic pronunciation. If you use Amazon Alexa Fire TV, you will see the word on the screen to show the proper spelling. If you ask Amazon Alexa Fire TV the definition of a term, you will get to read the definition on the screen and might see a picture representing the term to identify. But be careful to leave Alexa unintended. A voice assistant has democratized the remote control. Any student could blurt out a prompt. Stay close to Alexa and familiarize yourself with the mute button.

Prompts you might ask your AI of choice:

• How do you spell _______?

• What are 100 different personal values a person can have?

• Write me a children’s storybook that teaches students the benefits of volunteering in their community at places like the food bank, the local community garden, and the animal adoption facilities.

Mathematics

At first, you learn how to count to 100. Then you must learn PEMDAS. That’s the order of operations required to calculate a math problem. If forgot, just ask Amazon Alexa. Even if you can’t say it right, she will correct you.

If you don’t have the bandwidth to recite another times table exercise that day, you could play Math Songs by Number Rock or ask Amazon Alexa Fire TV. The AI in Amazon Alexa has many of these math learning concepts available. Or if you want to get fancy and make your own, try programming Alexa using the Q&A blueprint. You get to type in the prompt and expected response for each directive you wish Alexa to understand that meets your curriculum’s needs.

Action items for math teachers

Then there are mobile apps that help you calculate how to perform math problems by scanning them from a piece of paper. Try using Mathway, PhotoMath, or Socratic for an eye-opening experience.

Prompts you might ask your AI of choice:

• Count to 100.

• Count to one hundred by spelling the name of each number.

• Scan the equation from your mobile phone to show how the answer was calculated to get the right answer.

Science and Social Studies

Science is based on facts, processes, and events proven by scientists who continue to refine their theories over time. Social studies represent historical events, facts about government, and policies every citizen ought to know and be responsible in their daily lives. This type of memory-based learning is an ideal way to remember categorical knowledge, dates, and facts that require constant repetition until they are considered long-term knowledge in your memory bank.

Action items for teachers

Teach students how to break down categorical knowledge of science and social studies. Let’s pretend you ask your AI for the most used elements in the periodic table. When you reach an unfamiliar term or concept not discussed, you can ask for a definition of that term to go a level deeper. You can ask the AI for specific examples when an element is used. You can ask the AI for popular compounds where the element is used to make a molecule. There is no limit to what the AI can teach you AND it keeps you focused on the topic where students are most interested.

Prompts you might ask your AI of choice

• What are the most used elements in the periodic table? What is oxygen?

• Who was the 23rd president of the United States? How does a president of the United States get elected?

• List the process for an automotive manufacturer to make an electronic vehicle.

Computer Science

There are around 30-40 core topics involved with computer science that go beyond typing, browsing the internet, and using native applications installed on your machine. Similar to both social studies and science, computer science is mostly categorical knowledge where you must understand basic terms, definitions, and the order in which it’s used in a defined process. It isn’t until the advanced stages that computer science becomes an art form in writing code, customizing systems, and innovating on technology that sets the next trends for business today.

Action items for computer science teachers

You can ask your AI for basic terms, definitions, and sequences for how information systems work together. You can also ask your AI to help build you a sample website in minutes that might have taken you days to write the HTML, CSS, and Javascript previously.

Computer science-powered AI apps include:

1. Tynker: Tynker provides a gamified approach to coding that starts with visual blocks and advances to text-based coding as students progress. Its AI-assisted tutorials help guide young learners through puzzles and games, making it ideal for early computer science education.

2. Kodable: Kodable introduces coding concepts through games where students solve puzzles by using drag-and-drop commands. The app includes lessons on sequences, loops, and conditions, which are scaffolded to support young learners in understanding core coding concepts.

3. Hopscotch: Hopscotch is a creative coding app where kids can design games, animations, and interactive stories using block-based coding. It’s geared toward younger students and encourages experimentation and creativity with simple coding logic.

4. Robotify: Robotify uses virtual robots in 3D environments to teach basic coding skills. Students can solve tasks by programming these virtual robots, introducing them to coding concepts while fostering interest in robotics and engineering.

5. CS First by Google: CS First offers introductory computer science activities using Scratch. The program includes themed projects like storytelling and music, making it accessible for younger students and fostering creativity along with coding skills.

6. Pixel Art by CS Unplugged: CS Unplugged’s Pixel Art activities introduce binary numbers and algorithms through visual art. Students create pixelated images by following algorithms, and learning basic concepts of digital representation and logical sequences without needing a computer.

Prompts you might ask your AI of choice:

• What are the components of a computer? Ask the AI for the definition of each one if not provided.

• What are the top twenty paid computer science jobs and please list how much each one makes per hour. Convert to table.

• Create a mobile responsive website of a health tracker for a rescue dog that shows the vitals for the dog’s health, a list of immunizations, and proper pet care tips once the dog has been released to its new owner. Give me the HTML, CSS, and Javascript files needed for my code editor.

Music

Music instruments are expensive and not always available when you want to learn or practice to get better. Computers and phones now have apps that teach you to play instruments, sing in key, and record songs synthesized using your favorite musical instruments.

Action items for music teachers

Gather a list of desktop computer applications you can use to teach multiple concepts in music. Try using one or more of these.

1. Yousician: This app uses AI to help users learn to play various instruments like guitar, piano, bass, and ukulele. It listens to your performance, provides real-time feedback on accuracy and timing, and adjusts lessons to your skill level.

2. SingSharp: An AI-powered app for singers, SingSharp provides vocal training exercises and feedback on pitch, breathing, and vocal control. It’s great for learning popular songs in key, as it helps users stay on pitch and improve singing technique.

3. Endlesss: This AI-powered music creation app allows musicians to jam together in real-time. The app uses machine learning to suggest beats, melodies, and harmonies, enabling users to create music collaboratively or solo.

4. AIVA (Artificial Intelligence Virtual Artist): AIVA is an AI that composes original music. It’s used by content creators and musicians to generate royalty-free soundtracks for videos, games, and other media. AIVA uses deep learning to analyze music from different genres, allowing it to generate compositions in a variety of styles.

5. Amper Music: This platform enables users to create unique, royalty-free music by adjusting parameters like genre, mood, and instrumentation. Amper’s AI creates high-quality, custom soundtracks that musicians and non-musicians alike can use to compose without extensive music theory knowledge.

6. JukeBox by OpenAI: JukeBox is a deep learning model that generates music, including singing in various styles and genres. It can generate music with lyrics in different languages and emulate the styles of specific artists or genres by learning from a vast database of recorded music.

7. Melodyne: Often used in professional music production, Melodyne is AI-powered software that can correct pitch, timing, and tonality in recorded vocals or instruments. It’s especially popular for adjusting vocal performances to stay in key, creating polished music tracks.

8. LANDR: LANDR is an AI mastering service that uses deep learning to analyze and enhance audio quality. It’s widely used to improve the final sound of music tracks by applying mastering effects such as compression and equalization.

Physical Education

A healthy body starts with having the right information about exercise, nutrition, and overall physical health. While there are an infinite number of resources available, few allow you to be specific in your area of practice and use AI to customize your learning plan.

PE Buddy is an AI-powered app designed for physical education teachers, offering real-time assistance to enhance lesson planning, activity monitoring, and student engagement. The app provides personalized fitness recommendations, tracks individual and class-wide performance metrics, and generates instant feedback to help students improve form and technique. PE Buddy's AI helps teachers organize and adapt lessons based on each student’s progress and abilities, making it an effective tool for creating tailored PE experiences that promote fitness and skill development in an interactive and data-driven way.

Action items for physical education teachers

• HomeCourt: Primarily focused on basketball, HomeCourt uses AI to analyze movement, form, and skills such as dribbling, shooting, and agility. The app provides real-time feedback and helps users improve their skills through interactive challenges, making it useful in both individual and group physical education settings.

• Keelo: Keelo is an AI-driven app for high-intensity interval training (HIIT). It creates personalized workout plans based on the user’s goals, fitness level, and equipment availability, making it suitable for PE classes where students have varying fitness levels. The AI also provides real-time guidance and adjustments to ensure correct form.

• Freeletics: This fitness app uses AI to personalize workout routines for students of all levels. The AI adapts each plan based on performance, progress, and preferences, offering exercises that can be done with minimal equipment, making it ideal for PE settings where equipment may be limited.

• Zenia: Zenia is an AI-based app that provides guidance for yoga, stretching, and meditation. It uses a phone camera to monitor users' poses, giving real-time corrections on form. This can be highly beneficial in PE classes focused on flexibility, mindfulness, or beginner yoga practice.

• Pear Sports: This app is used for personal training and physical education as it provides AI-guided audio and visual coaching. Pear Sports adapts workout plans based on real-time heart rate data, helping students learn the value of heart rate monitoring for effective training.

• Strava: Although primarily a social fitness app, Strava uses AI-driven algorithms to help runners and cyclists track performance and progress. It also gamifies activities with “segments” where users can compete with others, which can be used in PE classes to encourage friendly competition and track students’ progress over time.

• Onyx: This AI-powered fitness app uses the device camera to analyze body movements, providing real-time feedback on form and tracking reps during strength and HIIT workouts. It’s ideal for physical education classes where form and technique are essential, as it provides correction and ensures safe movement practices.

Prompts you might ask your AI of choice

Let’s pretend you aren’t satisfied with your current physical education program and want to write your own with AI. Here are some prompts to use should you wish to create your own pickleball program.

• What are the top ten dos and don'ts when playing pickleball?

• Make a list of the most important shots you need to learn when playing pickleball competitively and the mistakes you can make when attempting each one.

• Please provide a list of the proper equipment you need to start playing pickleball safely, the considerations you should take when buying this equipment, and the specifications for setting up a court in your gymnasium for the first time.

Art

Learning how to draw takes creativity, repetitive practice, and some inspiration to up your game. There are an infinite number of projects where you can master new skills. The choice starts with whether you wish to put crayons to paper, fingers to playdough, or AI to build your next masterpiece.

Action items for art teachers

Try some AI-powered apps before introducing them to your next class.

• ChatGPT: Ask ChatGPT to create a coloring book page showing kids demonstrating teamwork and making a difference by volunteering at the local food bank.

• AutoDraw: Created by Google, AutoDraw uses AI to recognize rough sketches and offer polished illustrations in real time. It’s ideal for beginners in art classes who want to learn drawing basics, as it suggests corrections and enhancements to their sketches, helping them understand shape and form.

• Deep Dream Generator: This AI tool allows students to transform photos or drawings into artistic images inspired by famous art styles, like Impressionism or Surrealism. It’s a great way for students to explore visual effects and get inspired by different artistic styles.

• Procreate with QuickShape: While not solely an AI app, Procreate’s QuickShape feature assists students in creating precise geometric shapes, which can be challenging to draw freehand. It’s excellent for digital art classes where students are learning design basics.

• Canva: Canva’s AI features make design accessible and fun for students. With AI-assisted design tools, they can easily create posters, digital presentations, and artwork. The AI suggestions for layouts, fonts, and colors help students learn the principles of graphic design in a visual and interactive way.

• Socratic by Google: For art history, Socratic is an AI-powered app that lets students take a photo of artwork or a question and receive detailed information, including analysis and related historical contexts. This can be used for in-depth art appreciation and art history studies.

• DALL-E: An AI image generator by OpenAI, DALL-E allows students to create unique images from textual descriptions. Art classes can use DALL-E to encourage creativity, where students can visualize imaginative scenes or characters based on their descriptions, blending language skills with art.

• SketchAR: This app uses AR and AI to teach students drawing by overlaying digital images onto paper or surfaces in real life. Students can trace and follow guides to learn proportions, line work, and shading, which is excellent for art classes focused on sketching techniques.

Special note about AI prompts and images

In addition to writing a prompt to ask the AI tool what to do, you may need to upload the image to the tool in order to help produce the intended result. The more specific you are about the intended outcome, the more likely the AI is to produce the result.

Administrators

AI tools are readily available for anyone who has a Gmail account provided by your school or their parent. It’s only a matter of time before they discover these tools. Chances are several students are using AI tools more than teachers in your school. What’s important today and moving forward is that you inform teachers about these tools, host active discussions about AI’s capabilities, and create policies to set appropriate expectations.

New technology can be scary for new and seasoned teachers alike. New teachers may be excited to get started with AI tools but might feel suppressed about using them based upon current views about AI, and school policies, or afraid students will use AI to cheat in their assignments and tests. While it may seem impossible to keep up, it becomes evident whether students immediately go from writing from 5th-grade to 12th-grade level overnight if you are following their work. Moreover, students should be reminded they are only cheating themselves when they heavily on AI to do their work instead of putting pen to paper. The question remains, “Will you be able to influence someone if the Internet goes down or your battery dies?”

Action items for administrators

Here are some suggested policy areas and ideas for how teachers might approach AI use created by ChatGPT:

1. Ethics and Responsibility

• Define Responsible Use: Outline specific situations where AI is allowed, such as research or creative brainstorming, versus where it’s restricted, like for final assessments.

• Emphasize Originality: Encourage students to see AI as a tool to enhance their own creativity, not as a replacement. Policies could require that any AI-generated content must be significantly adapted or improved upon by the student.

• Teach Bias Awareness: Since AI models can have biases, help students learn to question AI responses and evaluate information critically.

2. Transparency and Acknowledgment

• Require Disclosure: Ask students to disclose when and how they’ve used AI tools, whether for research, writing assistance, or project support. This can help teachers assess a student’s understanding and integrity.

• Cite AI Sources: If students use AI-generated content, policies should require citation, teaching students to give credit just as they would with any other research source.

3. Digital Safety and Privacy

• Limit Data Sharing: Educate students about not sharing personal information with AI tools and emphasize safety when using online platforms.

• School-Approved Tools Only: Set boundaries on which AI tools are approved for use, particularly ones that have strong data privacy standards.

4. Skill Development and Balance

• Focus on Skill-Building: Make clear that AI should support rather than substitute learning objectives. For instance, students could use AI to brainstorm ideas but should still create their final work independently.

• Limit AI Use in Assessments: Ensure that skills like math, reading comprehension, and writing are assessed without AI support, fostering independent problem-solving skills.

5. Teacher Guidelines

• Use AI to Enhance Teaching, Not Replace It: Teachers should use AI to assist with planning, grading, or finding resources, but avoid over-reliance to ensure their teaching remains personalized.

• Model Transparency with Students: If a teacher uses AI in lesson planning or generating materials, discussing this openly with students can show responsible AI use in practice.

6. Continuous Policy Review

• Update Regularly: AI technology evolves quickly, so review the policy yearly (or more frequently) to adjust to new developments, tools, or ethical concerns.

• Seek Student and Parent Feedback: Encourage feedback to see how students and parents feel about the AI policy, which can lead to new insights or needed adjustments.

These guidelines help create a balanced environment where AI serves as a helpful resource, rather than a crutch or ethical risk, in students' learning journeys.