AI in the Classroom: Raising Debates about Distraction

As technology advances, so do AI-generated apps, platforms, and more; raising concerns about students and their education.

By: Ariana Lopez

In an age of changes everywhere, Artificial Intelligence (AI) emerges to reshape the world with a broad variety of tools, platforms, apps, and more. AI plays a crucial role in advancing technology and takes on the responsibility one needs for such a powerful tool.

Some California school districts are signing more contracts for artificial intelligence tools, from automated grading in San Diego to chatbots in central California, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Schools such as Northville Public Schools are revolutionizing education by integrating artificial intelligence into classrooms and enhancing students’ learning using AI-generated tools in the classroom.

While seemingly helpful, what are the worries? AI has sparked controversy about adopting AI in the classroom, especially for teachers.

Some teachers hope that students will be responsible when using AI. Over 60% of teachers hope students will use AI for comprehensive education, according to Forbes Advisor.

Teachers now also have worries about potential cheating and fake information. Teachers grow in the worry that students will have less face-to-face social contact in the classroom because of the rising growth of AI.

But where does the line get drawn?

As teachers become concerned and wary of their students, they know that the use of AI is because of procrastination, laziness, and a lack of time.

Mrs. Nicole Vieira, an English 2 Honors and AP English Literature teacher agrees with this and says, “I think that in high school, students don’t have the foundation of skills to effectively use Al. Students are mostly using Al to bypass learning, and that’s a problem.”

When students rely on AI tools, it overcomes brainstorming and student lose the ability to think critically. Being used to enhance learning or review concepts is different than when a student uses it to bypass learning.

Mrs. Vieira says, “In that case, students aren’t getting the foundations that they need. There is a difference between the use of it between teachers and not, that makes a big difference.”

Teachers are able to use it to enhance what they are doing in the classroom to save time, so that they are able to have more time to interact with students work and provide feedback.

AI can be beneficial in the classroom, such as if it is being used to take the tediousness out of a professional’s day, but if it’s being used for students to generate their thinking, then are they thinking, or is the AI?

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