How do schools approach AI?

SANDUSKY — Artificial intelligence is changing the way information is distributed and consumed online. Register graphic/MADDIE MONROE It's an emerging technology that has widespread impact — including in the classroom. For local school officials, artificial intelligence presents complicated questions on how districts and students can, or should, make use of this technology. "It's a double-edged sword," Eric Talbot, Sandusky High School's principal, said. "It's a game changer and that scares many people. "But it's not something we'll be able to pretend doesn't exist, so we must embrace it and help teach our young people how to use it effectively to make their world and our world a better place," Talbot added. An AI explainer The Encyclopedia Britannica defines artificial intelligence as "the ability of a digital computer or computer-controlled robot to perform tasks commonly associated with intelligent beings." The popular generative AI service ChatGPT allows users to type in a prompt to the software — people could, for example, ask it a question or ask it to write something for them based on a set of guidelines — and the AI will typically output an intelligent response. Another service, DALL-E, operates in a similar way but creates AI-generated images based on the user's written prompt. ChatGPT debuted last November and it's already something schools have had to grapple with. "(It's) probably the biggest issue facing education in our history," Talbot said. "It will fundamentally change the landscape of education and every other field." Some fear that students will use ChatGPT to complete their written assignments, like essays, for them. That's led to some school districts in large U.S. cities like Los Angeles and New York blocking students' access to the technology earlier this year, USA Today reported. The pros of AI From the perspective of several local school officials, districts must not ignore or downplay the technology, but, rather, learn about how to best use it. Nate Artino, principal of Bellevue High School, said AI can be incorporated into the learning process and the technology could be used to "jumpstart" a lot of ideas. "From my perspective, AI is not going anywhere," Artino said. "I have encouraged our staff to learn more about it and make sure we are assessing students in a manner that we know they are mastering the content." Jennifer Mercer, an English teacher at Bellevue High School, also suggested students could interact with AI in a positive way. "It is our attitude towards it that will be reflected in how our students use it," Mercer said. "If we show our students the way it can empower and help them, like adjusting reading levels and differentiating texts, we can help our students be better learners as well as be prepared for an ever-changing world." For example, she said students could edit and revise an AI-generated essay. But the student, not the software, would have to come up with higher-level thinking to change vocabulary and better the essay's word choice. "AI is not a replacement for learning, just like typing a document has not erased handwriting," Mercer said. "Instead, it is another tool for both educators and students to use as appropriate." Talbot described AI as a "new frontier" in education. "I believe the next step in the learning evolution is assessing how best students are leveraging AI to solve problems," he said. "Knowledge is abundant in 2023, but those who can apply the knowledge to solve old problems and create new solutions to problems we don't even have the capability to fathom right now will be the winners in this new frontier." The cons of AI School districts also acknowledged AI's pitfalls and possible misuse. "We value academic integrity, and will have to monitor the impact that A.I. may potentially have in that area," said Ryan Bohn, principal and superintendent of Townsend Community School. Districts, including Vermilion Schools, are developing strategies to combat cheating. A few of these include using the software system Turnitin, a program that ensures originality in student-submitted work. "I also foresee instances where we may use good old-fashioned pen and paper depending on the assignment," Vermilion High School principal Jennifer Bengele said. Bengele said educators already had a chance to learn more about AI. North Point Educational Service Center hosted an educational event earlier this year to help educators better understand AI. According to Talbot, the ever-changing nature of the technology can make it difficult for school districts to react. "The problem is that this is moving way too fast to get a handle on," Talbot said. "AI will not wait for us, so we'll either get alongside it and ride the wave or we'll get crushed by it."