I absolutely agree that we need to treat AI as the new google, or the new calculator. It certainly won’t be going anywhere and the best way to move forward with it is to be educated about it. A ‘just say no‘ approach to AI in education would be harmful and counter productive. It’s not necessary that everyone has to be an expert in it, or even use it, but turning a blind eye and demonizing it is not the answer.

Photo by Steve Johnson on Unsplash

Given that the University of Victoria does not even have a stance on AI yet, goes to show how new this is, but also how much, and how fast it will change. This is another reason we should be somewhat adept in AI because it will change and grow, and governments and institutions will be developing stances on it.

The MagicSchool.AI is a really interesting resource educators. I’m especially intrigued by the fact that it is an encrypted and the information doesn’t go anywhere else – which is FIPPA compliant. Super intriguing, I can see myself using this in the future.

I do think there are inherent harms with over use of these tools. Defaulting to the use of AI generated lesson plans or grading rubrics will definitely harm our own capabilities of thinking creatively, and frankly – working hard. This is only one of the many possible harms we could be seeing with the use and over use of AI tools in education. However, I personally feel that I struggle starting from scratch, and having a prompt gets my creative and critical thinking going much faster and better. Although, i’m really not sure if thats because that’s how my brain works, or if I just have debilitating imposter syndrome, and anything 100% my idea is likely not good enough.

The three big issues brought up in class: evaluation and assessment, misinformation, and violations of intellectual property, present real issues in the future of education with AI.

When I asked ChatGPT if teachers should change their assessment now that students have such readily available access to AI, ChatGPT said:


Absolutely! The rise of AI has transformed the way we access information, learn, and solve problems. Teachers can adapt their assessment methods to align with these changes by emphasizing skills that complement AI, such as critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and complex decision-making.

Instead of traditional memorization-based tests, assessments could focus more on application and synthesis of information. For instance, assigning projects that require students to analyze data, interpret results, and propose creative solutions can be more beneficial. This encourages students to utilize AI as a tool rather than just relying on it for answers.

Moreover, formative assessments, where teachers continuously gauge student progress, can be enhanced by integrating AI tools to provide personalized feedback and adaptive learning experiences. This combination can create a more dynamic and tailored approach to education.

Ultimately, teachers should prepare students to collaborate with AI, emphasizing skills that make humans unique, like emotional intelligence, ethical reasoning, and adaptability. The goal is to foster a symbiotic relationship between human intellect and AI capabilities.