Mary Acebu, a special education teacher at Riverview Middle School in Bay Point, California, collaborates with her students during math lessons. She finds that using AI aids her by handling paperwork, allowing her to dedicate more time to engaging meaningfully with her students.
With workloads and staffing constraints increasing, special education teachers are turning to artificial intelligence to support their daily tasks. Paperwork, in particular, consumes a significant amount of teachers’ time, but AI tools are changing that.
For example, AI applications help teachers draft reports and manage data related to students’ progress. This shift in handling administrative tasks permits teachers to focus their efforts on enriching educational experiences for their students.
Teachers across various educational settings experience similar pressures. At Southwest High School, Chanea Bond, a teacher in the Fort Worth Independent School District in Texas, prefers a different approach. She has opted to keep digital tools, including AI, out of her classroom, using traditional methods like paper and pencils instead.
Bond’s decision is part of a broader discussion on the role of AI in education. While some educators embrace technology, others resist it, questioning its impact on learning.
At the college level, students and professors are also grappling with the application of AI. There is often debate over how AI should be used in academic settings, with opinions varying widely on acceptable practices. Some institutions implement AI tools for various educational purposes, while others establish strict guidelines on its use.
Concerns about academic integrity have surfaced, especially regarding AI’s role in completing assignments. There is growing scrutiny of how students might use these technologies and the implications for learning outcomes.
Parents like Ailsa Ostovitz’s mother, Stephanie Rizk, are becoming involved too. Discussions with teachers about AI use in schoolwork highlight a need for clear policies and communication involving AI in education.
Experts such as Marc Watkins, a lecturer at the University of Mississippi, suggest initiating conversations about AI with children early. Educating them on AI before they encounter it through peers or in school environments helps them understand its significance and use responsibly.
The divide in AI use in educational settings is broadening, reflecting varied levels of access and familiarity. Initiatives aimed at closing this gap, like educational camps, work to level the playing field, ensuring that all students benefit from technological advancements.