Dispel the Myths: What AI Can and Can't Do for Education

As the Western hemisphere approaches the end of another school year, it's a perfect time to reflect on the role AI plays in education. Despite its transformative potential, several myths persist about what AI can actually do for educators. Let's debunk some of the most common misconceptions and clarify what educators should expect from AI in the coming year.

Myth 1: AI Can Do Your Grading

One of the most prevalent myths is that AI can handle grading with precision. This is not accurate. Studies, such as the one shared by Leon Furze, highlight that AI is susceptible to biases, especially regarding non-western names and gender, and its grading consistency can be unreliable. If you're using a point system to assess student work, generative AI is not the solution yet. Traditional methods like AI driven online forms remain more reliable.

However, grading for points isn't the ultimate goal of AI in the future of education. We need to shift towards more effective assessment methods that focus on comprehensive student understanding rather than merely tallying points.

What AI excels at is providing draft reading and exit ticket feedback. This can save educators significant time by allowing AI to handle initial assessments. Teachers can then review and refine this feedback before sharing it with students, ensuring a balanced and insightful evaluation process. But for final points assessments, it's best to keep generative AI out of the equation until it learns how to grade.

Myth 2: AI Is Easy to Use and Therefore Safe

Tech companies are working hard to make generative AI easy to use for everyone. But keep in mind, that while AI might seem user-friendly, this ease does not equate to safety. There are critical safeguarding measures educators must take to protect themselves and their students when using generative AI tools. Here are some key steps:

1. Data Privacy: Ensure that any AI tools comply with data privacy regulations and safeguard student information.
2. Bias Monitoring: Regularly check AI outputs for any biases and adjust the teaching accordingly.
3. Transparency: Make sure that the AI tool's decision-making processes are transparent and understandable for you, your students, and families.
4. Training: Educators should receive proper training on how to use AI tools effectively and safely.

Myth 3: AI Can Write Your Lesson Plans

AI can assist in writing lesson plans, but it doesn't replace the teacher's expertise. It's essential for educators to input detailed information into the generative AI system for it to be truly effective. A generic prompt like "write a lesson plan for 10th grade" does write a plan, but with mediocre results. Instead, educators must learn to include detailed context such as the educational framework, student demographics, and specific learning goals.

For example, a lesson plan for a 10th-grade Maths class in the French Baccalaureate system in Paris, with eleven non-native English speakers, will also require detailed inputs about the learning objectives and a copy of the curriculum requirements to generate a relevant plan. The more detailed and precise the information shared with the AI, the better the output.

Myth 4: AI Will Replace Teachers

Another significant myth is that AI will replace teachers. This is far from the truth. AI is a tool to enhance the teaching process, and it cannot replace the human touch that is essential in education. Teachers bring empathy, creativity, and a deep understanding of their students' unique need - qualities that an AI cannot replicate. Machines cannot replicate or automate the unique social relationships we have with each other. Teachers are needed to teach young humans how to be human.

Myth 5: AI Is Just Like Google

AI is often misunderstood as being similar to a search engine like Google Web. However, interacting with generative AI requires a different approach. Unlike search engines, generative AI can engage in more nuanced and contextual conversations. The more naturally and interactively you communicate with AI, and the more context and details you give the machine, the better results you will achieve.

For example, imagine you need to write a recommendation letter for a student. If you ask Google Web, "how to write a recommendation letter," you will get a list of generic templates and advice articles. This is similar to the generic results you will receive if you ask a generative AI in the same manner. However, if you interact with a generative AI and provide specific details, such as, "Write a recommendation letter for a IBDP high school senior applying to a computer science program in (input the name of school). Include their excellent problem-solving skills, leadership in the school's coding club, and their award-winning science fair project on AI, as well a two specific examples of where I have seen this (input the personal examples)" the generative AI can - in seconds - produce a personalized and detailed recommendation letter that highlights the student's unique strengths and achievements.

Looking Ahead: Listen, Learn, Leverage

As we move into the new school year, educators should focus on an "AI First" approach in leveraging AI to complement and enhance their teaching methods. By understanding what generative AI can do, we can better prepare for a future where AI is a valuable ally in the classroom, providing support for educators where it's needed and reducing significant time spent on administrative tasks while still preserving the value of human educators.

It is a fact that leveraging AI for administrative tasks can save significant time.

Here are some practical uses for AI that educators can already benefit from now:

• Draft Reading and Feedback: AI can provide initial readings, questions, and feedback on student assignments, which educators can then review and refine.
• Optimizing Communication: Automate and streamline communication with parents and colleagues through personalized emails and updates.
• Event and Field Trip Planning: Plan and organize events, field trips, and other activities more efficiently. AI can do everything from finding museum tickets to hotel bookings.
• Efficient Research: Conduct research more effectively by using AI tools to gather and analyze information. Generative AI (such as Perplexity Meet ) can help you find free resources and citation.
• Content Analysis: Run analyses on content in emails and folders to identify key themes and priorities.
• Document Management: Find, organize, and manage documents quickly and efficiently.
• Scheduling and Prioritization: Use AI to read through calendars and emails to create weekly schedules and prioritize tasks.
• AI Agents for Overview: Employ AI agents, similar to a ChatGPT-Siri shortcut combination, to maintain an overview of tasks, deadlines, and important communications.
• Personalized Learning Plans: Develop personalized learning plans for students based on their individual progress and needs. Use AI to communicate the plan with guardians.
• Professional Development: Receive suggestions for professional development opportunities tailored to your interests and career goals.
• Classroom Management: Utilize AI for classroom management tasks such as tracking attendance and managing student behavior.
• Work-Life Balance: Use AI to manage your workload effectively, helping you achieve a better work-life balance by organizing tasks and setting boundaries for work hours.

These tasks consume a considerable amount of time. By offloading them to AI, educators can focus more on teaching and interacting with their students.

What is next?

Looking ahead, educators should see themselves as learning partners with both students and families. As this technology evolves, we are all learning together - whether tech-savvy or not. Here are three key actions for the coming year:

1. Listen: Stay attuned to the latest developments in AI and educational technology.
2. Learn: Continuously seek new knowledge and training opportunities to understand how AI can best serve your needs.
3. Leverage: Apply AI tools thoughtfully to enhance your educational practice and manage administrative tasks effectively.

This summer, take time to rest and recharge. If you're in the southern hemisphere, enjoy some skiing. As we expect new technological advancements, like the anticipated release of ChatGPT-5 this summer, remember not to panic. Continue with your current practices until you feel confident to integrate new tools. Experiment, and find out how these technologies can become valuable tools in your personal educational toolkit.

Listen, Learn, Leverage - embrace this approach to maximize the benefits of AI in your educational practice.