Is AI Alright?

Summary

A discussion about Artificial Intelligence in the classroom setting

Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is here. It is infiltrating our daily lives on a regular basis. It is in our homes, our media, and now it is in our schools. Some AI is fun and amazing simultaneously. Have you seen the Dancing Robots? Some is helpful (Alexa, what’s the weather today?). And some has become a little controversial, like AI in the classroom.

One of the issues that has caused some controversy with AI, especially in the classroom, is the biases that can occur when using AI. My first question was how can a computer have bias? After learning more about it, it has become clear. Bias can occur because AI can be manipulated. Because AI is nothing more than algorithms, computers can learn bias based on data and information from the algorithms. AI can be biased in many ways, but here I will highlight just a few:

• Gender: a I can fever one gender over the other an image searches based on search parameters. For example, AI may pull up a picture of a Female nurse over a male.
• Race: Technology like facial recognition maybe biased towards males (specifically white males) over other races
• Geographical: AI developed data may create biases based on geographical locations results when using it for searches or other algorithms.
• Religion: AI may include or exclude certain religious groups or people based on input and algorithms.

So how do we combat AI bias?

First, we need to be aware of what bias is and how it impacts our lives, both consciously and unconsciously. You can watch a short video on unconscious bias HERE. Secondly, we need to check AI output regularly to spot bias and how it is embedded in any AI output. Once we identify AI biases, we need to adjust algorithms that support the development of AI bias. Making regular adjustments to produce few biases or biased results will help dissipate those AI biases.  After all, AI is developed by humans and has been shown to actually absorb human bias! You can read about this phenomenon in Scientific American.

AI Bias in Teaching

As teachers using AI, we may not be writing the algorithms were able to adjust them. So, we need to ensure that if we are using AI, that we are consciously aware of what it is producing and make our own adjustments before including it in our lessons or assessments in school. For example, if we use AI to develop an assessment and it references terminology, or situations that all students may not have background knowledge on, then we need to take that into account and change it prior to utilizing the material.

AI in my Classroom

This week I took a dive into a eye in my classroom. I was there as needed by magic school and how that can help may plan and or reduce paperwork as an intervention specialist. I used Magic School this week to help me create a draft of an IEP. There’s an IEP creator tool on Magic School.

I quickly found that I cannot use that. It really doesn’t create the whole IEP, it really only creates some pieces of it and that tool is so general that I don’t feel like it ethically create something that is individualized. Although I could use it to help me find some wording or use pieces of it as a structured model, the way it is currently developed will not replace the human teaching element of developing an individualized plan that truly supports student needs.

There was one tool that was helpful, and that was the accommodations generator. In one of the sections, we must give and narrative of how the accommodation may help the child and I still sometimes struggle with writing that narrative. And some of the verbiage that magic school gave me was helpful in writing that narrative period now again I cannot just copy and paste that into the IEP because I must individualize it for each kiddo, but it helps me develop that narrative in a more comprehensive way by providing me essentially a sentence starter that I could edit and individualize.

AI Pros and Cons

There are definitely advantages to using AI in the classroom and there are absolutely some cons. Let’s look at a few below:

PROS:

• AI can be a time saver: teachers continually have more and more on their plates without any additional supports or time being given to complete those requirements period using AI for things like lesson planning or assessment development can help teacher save time.
• AI can help create new ideas: AI can help produce ideas or information for education that a teacher may not have thought of on their own. It could spark additional ideas or help a teacher brainstorm.
• AI can support access: for students with disabilities, I can be a I found this on the web support that helps students access curriculum. For example, a person with a physical disability who struggles with writing could utilize speech to text period

CONS:

• AI removes the human element: AI can not replace a trained and experienced teacher. It it’s not adept enough to “know” students enough to develop plans or supports that encompass all the knowledge and analytical evaluation that a human teacher can give.
• AI can be inaccurate and biased: AI makes mistakes and develops biases that can negatively impact students. As such, it should be used with caution.
• AI could be illegal: There are many questions around the legality of its use. Plagiarism comes into question when using AI. In Special Education, using AI for IEPs has also been questioned as the document must be individualized.

AI and TCE Threshold Concepts:

Teachers and students engage in critical consciousness:

Utilizing AI in the classroom may reduce this engagement in critical consciousness. For example, if we are using AI that is biased, then we cannot trust that it has consciously considered the needs of a teacher specific student population. As AI continues to develop we need to ensure that students and teachers alike are able to maintain their ability to develop critical thinking and academic skills.

Teaching and learning honors people’s full humanity:

As I mentioned earlier, utilizing AI removes the human element. For right now at least, I cannot replace the human teacher. Teachers need to be caring and compassionate and considerate of the total student. If we only used AI to instruct we would be failing our students.

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