This article is part of a recent series on how technology affects education. Read more in the series to help understand how evolving technology is changing the educational landscape.
As artificial intelligence continues to evolve and shape industries like our own school communities, education is put at a crossroads. With AI-powered tools increasingly being used to assist with students’ and teachers’ daily lives, there creates a sense of competition in the education industry. We are in a world where educators and the possibilities of technology coexist, proposing the battle of Teachers vs AI.
For example, AI can impact English teachers in several areas. It can be used as a tool but also creates challenges.
AI can assist in tasks like grading essays, providing grammar suggestions, and generating reading comprehension questions. This ultimately saves time and enhances students’ learning. It is also a tool for English teachers students as AI can offer personalized feedback, helping students improve their writing skills more efficiently.
However, AI also presents challenges as students tend to rely on AI pretty heavily for writing assignments.
“I think the misuse of AI is quite prevalent in most classes currently. I think students feel that they can put something into ChatGPT and just get it back and take that out, and that’s not the effective use of AI,” says English teacher Lee-Ann Rebelo. “We need to know how to question AI’s output, analyze it critically, and not rely on it completely.” She highlights the concerns that arise within AI for English educators.
Whether it’s asking AI to complete simple assignments, write an engaging essay or translate Spanish homework, there is potential for a decrease in critical thinking and creativity.
AI also has made huge contributions to the world of art. In art, AI proves to have its advantages but also its disadvantages.
Advantages include generating creative prompts, providing digital design assistance, and helping students explore different artistic styles. AI’s quick responses can also offer instant feedback on creative pieces, giving suggestions to make a student’s work the best possible.
Although, there is a rise in concern regarding AI’s role in art. AI can generate art in seconds. Teachers’ concerns arise about originality and artistic integrity as students might rely on it instead of developing their own skills.
But CCHS art teacher Mary Barber shares her thoughts on AI. “I don’t think AI has a huge impact on creativity right now because AI- generated art is usually very obvious. People who are artistic and creative might use it as a tool, but it’s not replacing the original process of making art.”
Similar to English and Art, science highlights the strengths and weaknesses of AI in this battle.
AI can support all science teachers by helping with data analysis, creating interactive simulations, and answering questions instantly.
As stated by the NC State Data Science and AI Academy, “Data science education arms students with the skills they need to become critical thinkers and responsible citizens in an information-laden world.”
Though it provides support, AI’s utility can be minimal in science if one relies on it heavily. AI can reduce hands-on experiments and reduce students’ original thoughts. With automated answers, AI-explanations and information rundowns sometimes lack the depth or context needed to succeed in the medical field.
AI ultimately presents many positive impacts, while also presenting challenges. AI needs to be used to support educators, not diminish them, as human connection and critical thinking is essential in the classroom.
