Go, go, gadget classroom: Using AI technology in schools | Hydrography

It doesn’t seem like that long ago that we were watching Elroy fly his spaceship to school on The Jetsons, or Penny talking into her watch on Inspector Gadget. However, technology has seeped into our lives faster than ever, and that couldn’t be truer than in the classroom. Students can go anywhere in the world and see anything on the planet (and beyond) with the click of a button. And as things like artificial intelligence (AI) start being used in a wide range of applications, it’s playing a big role in schools, too.

Teachers Nairy Kazandjian, an ESL (English as a Second Language) teacher from Vanguard School (elementary and high school) in Saint-Laurent, and Sophie Giroux from Centre de services scolaire des Trois Lacs are big proponents of AI. In fact, they give classes and workshops to both students and teachers on using artificial intelligence to not only save time but enrich the curriculum too.

“It’s still a bit taboo to use AI in the classroom and isn’t widely accepted, but we show teachers how to save time and make more engaging lessons for the students,” Kazandjian explained. “We try to find themes and topics that are interesting. It’s a different way to do what we’ve always been doing, and it adds more fun for the students because it’s new. [Discussions on] ethics and responsibility when using AI has led to lessons on how to create prompts. Students who are graduating know how to use AI, and this is a big asset on their resumes.”

One of the big reasons school administrators may stray away from AI is because of cheating. Teachers worry that students will use the technology for the wrong reasons (such as writing essays for them, etc.), which is a big reason why Kazandjian and Giroux want to demystify the advantages of artificial intelligence. “Teachers fear that it will eliminate critical thinking,” Kazandjian said. “Yes, they are cheating using these things, but we use it more for projects.” For example, the teachers have worked with chatbots and have them act as historical figures so that the students can interview them. “It makes it interesting for them and develops dialogue.”

It’s taken some time, but educators are starting to see the real benefits of AI in the classroom. In fact, their mindset about the technology has changed drastically in recent months. “It’s fascinating. In November of last year, after traveling all over Quebec and meeting with teachers, when we asked what they would think of when we would say ‘AI,’ everyone would say it’s scary,” Giroux said. “When we asked them again in February, they said it’s a tool. It’s less scary now. The government has been slow on giving teachers details on how to use it, but what happens is the student becomes more advanced in understanding AI and end up using it in an unresponsible way. It needs to be taught and teachers need these tools. It’s saving them so much time, it’s just amazing. Now I can’t live without it.”

There may be downsides to certain technologies, however with the right instruction, it can be hugely advantageous in the classroom. It allows students to be more involved in the lessons and assists teachers in developing their curriculum. And, in the end, everyone benefits.