When Teachers Meet Tech: A Love-Hate Relationship

Picture taken from:https://www.edweek.org/technology/teachers-told-us-theyve-used-ai-in-the-classroom-heres-why/2024/01 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become commonplace in the daily lives of Vestavia’s students: providing entertainment as a chatbot, giving questionable relationship advice, and, more than anything, helping students with their schoolwork. Our school has a strict AI policy, prohibiting its use in the classroom without express teacher permission. However, as AI grows, so too must the faculty adapt to its abilities.

AI has become far more advanced than it was in its early stages, generating prose indistinguishable from a human’s rather than stringing together choppy sentences. Teachers have had to adapt to these changes by changing their lessons and the way they run their classes. Some teachers, such as Ms. Pantazis, an Honors English teacher at the main campus, have begun to restrict schoolwork to in-class activities to avoid AI’s influence. Others, like Ms. Hackney, an English teacher at the Freshman Campus, have had to completely remodel multiple class assignments to ensure the work was done by students. On the other hand, some teachers have begun to accept AI as a tool, using it for menial tasks and summarization purposes.

Teachers at the main campus and freshman campus have varying views on AI. While some avoid any AI usage, some teachers believe AI can be utilized efficiently—if applied correctly. They explain that there are “ways you can use [AI] super powerfully.” AI proves to be effective when used minimally, like for collapsing information, or when used as a study tool. However, they did warn that AI “can cause gaps in your learning” when incorrectly used. Stressing that AI is an important aid, not something students should rely on blindly. Students need to understand the material and be proficient in the skill before overrelying on AI.

Other teachers also worry that students won’t be able to develop important techniques such as writing. Ms. Hackney at the Freshman Campus explains that many students don’t recognize that “making the work is the lesson,” not the product. Students need to be able to learn how to write an essay, not just turn one in for points. Depending on AI to create all of our work will inhibit us from developing skills such as writing and reading comprehension. 

Some teachers also stress the importance of teaching us how to use AI correctly in school. Ms. Maddox, an AP US History teacher, recognized the importance of preparing seniors for a workplace where AI use is the norm. This would involve teaching students how to use AI effectively by using specific prompts and by validating the information it spews out.

AI continues to impact teachers and students alike. Although it can be used as an important aid in many areas, it can hinder students’ ability to grow their own skill set. Teachers continue to change their classroom procedures to accommodate the new tech and do what’s best for their students, but it is up to students to take the initiative to learn and grow independently.