Teacher Tea
AI in the Classroom: A Guide for Educators
AI literacy is no longer optional for teachers. It is a required skill, even if the technology itself is not included in the curriculum. Students are encountering AI, using it, and taking advantage of it, whether teachers approve of it or not. Teachers, however, are at the frontlines of the battle for intellectual integrity, and as a result, it becomes our job to cultivate the responsible habits and critical thinking skills necessary to navigate this new frontier.
Does AI have a real place in education?
Jessica Comola interviews Victor Lee, a Stanford researcher, in “AI as a ‘Paintbrush of Possibility’,” for Educational Leadership. Lee discusses the potential of AI in education and explores the concept of AI literacy, which involves understanding how to use AI as a tool to support learning, rather than replacing human thought. Lee also affirms the need for students to develop those aforementioned critical thinking skills in order to evaluate AI-generated information and avoid misinformation.
You can read the interview to learn more about Lee and the Stanford CRAFT initiative, which aims to provide teachers with resources to integrate AI into their lessons, focusing on specific subject areas and grade levels. Lee envisions AI as a creative tool that can enhance learning by creating interactive simulations, for instance, or multimedia presentations.
While there is ongoing debate about the extent of AI literacy required, Lee encourages educators to focus on how AI can support their specific teaching goals and the needs of their students. He also emphasizes the potential of AI to address challenges in education, such as supporting multilingual learners and students with learning differences.