“AI should be allowed in the classroom as it can personalize learning experiences, helping students grasp concepts at their own pace. Additionally, AI tools can assist teachers by automating administrative tasks, allowing them to focus more on individual student needs. However, careful implementation and monitoring are necessary to ensure that AI enhances education without replacing crucial human interaction and creativity in learning environments”. At least thats what ChatGPT tells me.

“AI should not be allowed in the classroom as it risks replacing human teachers, whose interpersonal skills and ability to inspire and motivate students are irreplaceable. Additionally, relying on AI may undermine the development of critical thinking and social skills in students, which are essential for their future success. Moreover, concerns about data privacy and security could arise from the extensive use of AI in educational settings, posing potential risks to students’ personal information”. At least thats what ChatGPT tells me.

I was watching the debate late last night, as I was unable to join in for the real thing. When I first started watching I was very much anti- AI and would have stood on a mountain stating that it should not be allowed in the classrooms. My background reasoning and understanding – that ChatGPT will just do all your assignments for you.

Very quickly I learned that there are a lot more apps and a lot more reasons for having it in your classrooms. The issue with AI, and really technology in general, is that our education model is about 200 years old and is not at the point where it needs to be. I’m sure if the education model and curriculum was updated, it would include outcomes and strategies for utilizing technology and AI in the classroom. That meaning said, the curriculum would have to be constantly changing… but isn’t that something we would want? A curriculum that is current, relevant and relates to where we are at as a society? I guess if the curriculum did that then teachers would too have to be up to date… imagine that (no offence to my boomer teacher friends).

There were a couple more good points about how AI can enhance learning for the student, but I think it would be more on the teacher end, like analyzing data, creating personal adaptations to information, adapting curriculum, etc. This was a little bit easier to wrap my head around. I had never used ChatGPT, or any other AI, prior to last year. My grade alike teacher is much more “revolutionary” and he shows me all these fancy things. Finally, after a lot fo convincing, I had chatGPT create a rubric for me… it was amazing! And that was the extent of my use.

I had made note of all these cons and how it de-humanizes connection, eliminates critical thinking, creates instant answers, affects privacy, etc. and had you asked me at the beginning I would agree; however, the debaters did a great job at educating and shifting my viewpoint. Am I techie… heck no, my blogs are boring and I don’t add pictures or videos, I have used ChatGPT once, I don’t even know how to make a fancy video for our summary of learning (but I am learning), and so I can’t say I am even remotely knowledgeable on this topic but within one hour and an article or two and some videos later I do feel more confident in how I feel about it.

I think it was Sydney who made the point that kids are going to use it regardless so why not teach them how to use it appropriately. Introduce different apps and teach them how to cross reference, or how to prompt AI in order to get what you are looking for. There needs to be more PD for teachers so that we can feel confident introducing it to our students. AI is a tool that can enrich and expand knowledge but it requires a lot of learning.

Katia also mentioned that it is important to create assignments and assessments that are more directly related to class discussions or projects that require more than just regurgitating. With all the new information I learned in the discussion and in the readings, I think AI can be a very well used, enriching tool but it is important to remember that it is also very powerful.