As the 2023-24 school year begins at Sequoia, administration is implementing even stricter rules on AI use in classrooms. However, some students and teachers believe that AI can still be used responsibly as a learning tool.
Due to the massive increase of AI in day-to-day life, from personalized recommendations to auto-correct, students are exposed to the possibilities and0 dangers of AI. Teachers are trying to inform their classes about the negative aspects of AI that might not be obvious to some students
“People seem to think AI is not biased and is completely right all the time. But I think it’s important that wherever we get our information that we question the source biases.” 9th-grade ethnic studies teacher, Carlos Villa said.
Many teachers at Sequoia are not fond of the idea of AI being used in classrooms. It is not because teachers don’t want to make students’ lives easier, but simply because they believe AI is untrustworthy and can lead to students getting false information. They don’t want their students to learn content that is false or would not be helpful to them.
“I’m not comfortable recommending students using AI for a study tool because I don’t know its sources.” IB History Chair and teacher, Danny Bliss said.
There are other aspects to why teachers don’t allow AI such as the fact that it’s considered direct plagiarism. If you are a student in IB, plagiarism is the biggest mistake IB emphasizes to avoid, so if you’re using AI to write your essay, you will most likely fail the assignment. Teachers have many resources to easily tell when AI is used in an assignment like noticing the tone of the writing by using a detector site.
“I’m sure it can be used as a study tool but I certainly don’t allow students to represent a machine’s voice as their own.” Bliss said.
Although AI does include negative features, it can also be used as a positive resource to students by creating personalized learning experiences and preparing them for the new digital age. Most teachers are banning the use of this resource as a whole but are disregarding the positives it can bring to a classroom.
“I think it would be a little short-sighted to not acknowledge that AI is here. So I think as long as we teach students to use it as a support like textbooks and notes, and not like a replacement to learning, it can be used.” Villa said.
Even though most students are understanding of the rules, they think the school should not implement restrictions for all types of AI.
“It can be fair but sometimes unfair because even though some AI can help you cheat there are some types that can help you learn.” 9th-grade Sequoia student Samantha Cuevas Melchor said.
For example, it could be used to explain something in different words, personalize learning courses, and provide online tutoring. But generalizing the entirety of the resource to only that is used for cheating is one of the main causes of its backlash from many teachers. AI is mostly portrayed as a cheating tool used only by students but this form of technology is also used as a helping hand by many people in their day-to-day life. Even though Sequoia teachers are hesitant about student use of AI, they do admit that sometimes it can be helpful to their jobs
“ I have heard of teachers who have used it to write sample essay” said Bliss, “ I know that teachers use it.”
The use of AI in classrooms can be negative, but when used in the right way it can be a supporting resource to students. “I talked with my class about responsible use of AI. So I think if they’re using it as a tool to support learning and find resources, then I’m okay with it” said Villa.