AI in The Classroom
February 2025
December 2022
One Approach to AI in the Classroom: Fully Embrace it!
July2023
Another Approach: Completely Ban It!
First, Let’s Frame the Conversation:
“We” generally embrace tools such as: Khan Academy, IXL, ALEKS, Magic School...
We have lots of questions and concerns with generative tools such as ChatGPT...
PTS’ Approach: Balanced and Intentional
Balanced: Teach students to problem solve, to think critically, to write well, and to reason.
Intentional: Incorporate developmentally appropriate tools in the curriculum to support student success.
In our Story of Technology, will AI be the “Dragon” or the “Knight”? We need to consider: What constitutes cheating? What constitutes Learning?
“Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn.”
—Benjamin Franklin
Implementation of AI in the Teaching and Learning at PTS
❖ Active AI Committee
❖ Faculty Summer Reading
❖ Professional Development
➢ On Campus, Regional, and National Workshops
❖ Collaboration with peer schools and local leaders
❖ Collaboration by department on policy and practice
❖ Full-day, faculty Professional Development with trainers from Global Online Academy (GOA)
❖ Ongoing revision of policies and practices for students
❖ Drafting and revising of policies for faculty and staff
❖ Partnership with consultants: Purple Horizons
Feedback from Faculty after GOA Training
What remains challenging is learning how best to implement AI in ...writing instruction.... Students need to learn to write in their own style.
...Incorporate more helpful tools into the classroom and be more intentional about setting up my own AI policy and articulating the parameters to my students.
I will use AI in my classes BOTH to create content but also to help my students help themselves.
...How to communicate to students what constitutes plagiarism and what constitutes authentic work...
The only things that remain challenging are the more general challenges that come with this new technological frontier and the rapid pace of change. I will continue to work on developing resources and using Magic School tools to help students...
Recent Tracks Forward in Policy & Procedures
❖ Overview of what is already in place:
➢ PTS’ Honor Code
➢ Statement of Commitment for All Constituents
■ Engage in Responsible Digital Citizenship (Created in 2014)
➢ Section of the Handbook: “Technology & Computer Usage” (pp 5159)
❖ Shared Revised Policy for the Handbook as a Push Page
❖ Crafted a Guideline for Faculty on Acceptable Use to share with Students
❖ Piloting GoGuardian software to monitor student computer use during class
We Will Continue to:
❖ Implement AI tools with a Balanced and Intentional Approach
➢ Considering PTS’ Success: COVID/ Post-COVID Teaching & Learning
❖ Focus on the critical questions:
➢ WHAT are we teaching?
➢ WHY are we teaching it?
➢ HOW are we teaching it?
❖ Determine what constitutes “demonstration of learning.”
❖ Embrace policies and best practices for students, faculty, and staff success.
An Essential Question
The question is not whether AI should be banned in the classroom or used in place of the teacher.
The question is: How can we teach students to harness the potential of AI for their greatest learning opportunity.
Consultants: Ralph Quintero & Gianni DAlerta
Ongoing professional development, support, and guidance for several constituent groups:
❖ Leadership
❖ Faculty & Staff
❖ Students
❖ Parents
GoGuardian Teacher is a classroom management tool that empowers educators to create engaging and focused learning environments. It provides real-time insights into student activity, enabling teachers to monitor progress, guide learning, and minimize distractions.
GoGuardian Key Features:
● Real-Time Monitoring: View students' screens live to ensure they remain on task and provide immediate support when needed.
● Tab Control: Open or close tabs on student devices to direct them to appropriate resources or limit access to distracting content.
● Custom Browsing Environments: Set parameters by automatically blocking or allowing specific websites to keep students focused during lessons.
● Communication Tools: Engage with students through chat and send announcements, to facilitate personalized instruction.
● Integration with Educational Tools: Seamlessly incorporate resources from platforms like Google Classroom to streamline teaching workflows.
Leveraging AI in the Classroom
Derek Smith
PTS Global Scholar in Residence &
IBDP Coordinator
AI Has Arrived!
What Are We To Do?
We Must Be Mindful of the Fact That AI is a Revolutionary Tool…and an Extremely Profitable Business Model as Well There’s a Tool to Catch Students Cheating With
By: Deepa Seetharaman and Matt Barnum
August 4, 2024
The Reality…
All of our students are using AI Large Language Models (LLMs), but many have no idea how to effectively use it apart from academically dishonest purposes.
Therefore…
We have to adapt. As educators, we must strive to guide our students accordingly. AI is not going anywhere and its expansion in all professions and walks of life is happening now.
Our Mantra Here at PTS
AI should be used to streamline and enhance our production, acquisition and use of knowledge. It should not serve as a substitute for our own intellectual efforts, but rather help elevate them.
How?
The key is meaningful and effective prompt engineering!
Ways I Utilize a LLM (ChatGPT) in My History and IB TOK Classrooms
● Essay Writing Enhancement
● Source Analysis Enhancement
● Assisting w/ Research (Google Gemini)
● Assessment
● Planning
● Letters of Recommendation
Example: Student Elevating Their Essay Writing
History Essay Writing Enhancement Guidelines
LLM and Student Dialogue Form
Evidence of LLM and Student Dialogue
Example 1
2
Thanks and Happy Prompting!
