This debate topic was a tough one for me to vote on. As I listened to both sides, I found myself agreeing with each of their arguments. There really wasn’t a clear right or wrong as both sides presented valid points, which made the decision even more challenging. Kudos to the debaters; it was a thoughtful and engaging topic.
One quote from the “for” side really stood out to me: “If you’re pro-technology, you’re pro-AI, as it’s used in all apps.” That couldn’t be more accurate. AI is integrated into so many aspects of our daily lives, often without us even realizing it. From unlocking our phones with face or fingerprint recognition to the curated content and ads we see on social media, AI is present. Even GPS navigation relies on AI to improve routes in real time. It’s everywhere, and because of that, it makes sense to begin integrating it meaningfully into education because at this point, there’s no turning back. Is it being overused? Absolutely. And that’s where the risk lies. But too much of anything can become a problem.
The article “Can AI Transform Education to Ensure All Students Benefit?” highlights many ways AI can support teachers, and while I do use a variety of apps for planning, editing, and creating, I often find that the final product doesn’t quite meet my expectations. Sometimes it takes more time to tweak AI-generated content than to simply do it myself. That said, I do find AI tools incredibly helpful for brainstorming ideas especially when I’m stuck. But when I already know exactly what I want, I’m usually the only one who can execute it the way I envision.
For students, I see both pros and cons. Critical thinking hasn’t disappeared, but students now have more tools to assist them. As educators, it’s our responsibility to guide them in how to use AI tools, especially ones like ChatGPT, responsibly and effectively. We know they’re going to use them regardless, so teaching them to do so in meaningful and ethical ways is only going to help them in the long run.
Interestingly, I was just listening to JACK 94.5 FM where someone shared an experience at a store. The young cashier struggled to make change from a cash transaction and needed guidance to figure it out. The blame was placed on the education system for not giving students enough real-world experience in basic tasks. It’s a small, but very real example of how over-reliance on technology can weaken foundational skills. The following article talks about the “Erosion of Fundamental Skills” and tools like calculators and smartphones can sometimes do more harm than good by reducing opportunities for critical thinking and mental math.
My post today is all over the place, so I apologize for that! In the end, I’m not sure if AI will revolutionize education, but I do believe it’s here to stay. So as educators, it’s important we find balanced and intentional ways to use it to our advantage without letting it replace the human skills that truly matter.
For good or bad, your are correct that AI is here to stay. I think you made a great point about the overuse of AI and I would add the misuse and blind trust is compounding the real issues with AI. I have experienced the “time savings” of AI, but when experimenting with crafting report card comments, I found that I was inputting so much information for each kid that, in reality, truly personalizing their comment was much more efficient if I just wrote them myself. I would get some fresh ideas for wording, but the whole comments seemed futile and perhaps for the best. I appreciate the narrative at the end, and might suggest that AI skills are now real-world skills.
I really empathized with your struggles and frustrations as well as your overall ambivalence towards how both sides of the debate were just so right and so wrong at the same time. I was really struck by this quote: “If you’re pro-technology, you’re pro-AI,” which is true not only conceptually but very much in my own lived experience as well. I think that is such a powerful and important reminder that this is not a distant future topic we can prepare for later. AI is already so present in our day-to-day lives in the tools we use, but it is often invisibly and unrecognizably built into those tools. That is why it makes this conversation and the urge to use it carefully, particularly in educational contexts, even more important to me.
I also really loved your reminder of how AI doesn’t always make things easier, but sometimes the opposite- I have had that experience before as well and I can vouch for it from the user end of things that, while it is sometimes convenient to use these programs for ideation or a first draft, I always feel the need to make the content look and feel “better” by adding the human touch at the end. It also reminded me, again, that I am responsible for teaching the students how to use these tools and for what, even though they are very likely to use it for whatever they want anyway. So I need to model ethical and critical practices while using them in front of them. For me, I feel like that juggling act between giving enough support but not over supporting is certainly one of the most challenging and difficult aspects of using AI for educational and meaningful purposes.
Nofisat
Hey Danielle!
I totally agree with your thoughts here! Rest assured that my opinions of AI are, too, all over the place haha.
You present lots of great examples of how AI is embedded into everything – iPhone unlocking, GPS, etc – and I totally concur that, because of this integration (that is already happening and that we cannot stop) meaningful integration of AI in education is unavoidable and should be embraced. Yes, it is being overused in some cases, for sure, and I think that’s where our responsibility as educators lies. We have the power to educate students on responsible AI use to help them understand what productive use of this technology looks like and how it can benefit their learning, without dominating it. As you say ‘balanced and intentional’ use of AI (as with any tech use!) is key to navigating this new AI-dominated world we live in.
Your struggling cashier example makes me excited debate topic #6: Schools should continue to teach skills that can be easily carried out by technology (e.g., cursive writing, multiplication tables, spelling). I’m finding these debate topics all very interconnected, which leads to thought-provoking discussions that seem to always leave me with more questions than answers. I guess that’s what we signed up for in this class – contemporary issues in educational technology are complex so I shouldn’t expect any clear resolutions to these ongoing challenges. Although, I do appreciate the opportunity to dive into them, in an effort to understand them (or begin to understand them) better.
Enjoyed reading your post – thanks!
-Teagan
Hey Danielle,
I think I am a fence-sitter regarding AI. While I can appreciate the time-saving aspects of report cards or brainstorming new ideas, I also rework them until I wonder, “Why did I bother?”.
AI has provided me with differentiated reading materials that I would have spent HOURS creating, or math tests with leveled questions including answer keys. I will try AI when I think it will save me time; however, as Dustin already mentioned, anything that needs personalizing, AI cannot replace me.
As for students, I am concerned that they will continue to take the easy route and miss out on learning essential skills. While I know that technology is always at hand, students need to critically think about what they are reading. As educators, we need to teach students how to use AI ethically.
Spinning myself in a circle…
Hey Danielle,
Indeed, Ai is increasingly integrated into everyday life, from smartphone capabilities to GPS systems. Like you, I believe in finding a middle ground. As you mentioned, “AI is here to stay,” it is no longer a choice but a fundamental aspect of contemporary life and learning.
I concur with that overdependence can be costly and that it should not usurp critical thinking and basic foundational skills. I appreciate the practical perspective you shared about the Cashier not being able make change. perfect example of overreliance and the lack of fundamental skills.
Teachers should prepare students to utilize AI responsibly and ethically. Moderation and integration are what matter. As educators, we should prepare students for digital literacy and lifelong learning.