Navigating AI in Education: Guidelines for Ethical Use in Schools
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to weave itself into the fabric of modern technology, educational institutions are stepping up to the challenge of integrating these tools responsibly. In a world where AI's capabilities are expanding rapidly, local school systems are crafting guidelines to ensure its ethical and appropriate use.
Officials from Hall County and Gainesville City Schools have shared their strategies for addressing AI use among students and teachers. While Hall County School’s Director of Digital Convergence, Eddie Millwood, and K-12 Digital Convergence Specialist, Laney Park, acknowledge that their district is still in the early stages of policy development, they emphasize the importance of evolving these guidelines as AI technology advances.
"We know that this is such an evolving technology, and we know we may have to change some of our guidance practices as AI changes," Millwood stated. The district's current policies already cover many concerns related to AI, such as acceptable use agreements and codes of conduct, reducing the need for entirely new policies.
The journey began in 2023 when the district encouraged teachers to familiarize themselves with AI. "We wanted first to be able to teach teachers and other staff in the district about AI, about responsible use of AI, about how to leverage it effectively and the positive impact that it can have on instruction," Park explained.
Despite AI's longstanding presence, the district initially hesitated to create guidelines due to the lack of educationally-focused software and age restrictions. However, as AI tools tailored for educators, like Microsoft Gopilot and Google Gemini, become available, the need for structured guidelines has grown.
Interestingly, while teachers are being introduced to AI, students are not yet using it in classrooms. Instead, teachers utilize AI to create rubrics, differentiate instruction, and personalize lessons. However, they are expected to review AI-generated content to ensure quality and relevance.
Gainesville City Schools (GCS) shares a similar approach, prioritizing student and staff safety when selecting classroom tools. Director of Instructional Technology and Media Services, Eddie Nemec, highlights the importance of understanding data privacy and the implications of AI use.
"The big thing that we're worried about is, where does the data go? Who sees the data and where does it live," Nemec said. GCS guidelines outline appropriate and inappropriate uses of AI, discouraging its use for completing student work or creating accounts for underage users.
Both school systems advise against using AI detection tools for grading, citing potential biases and inaccuracies. Additionally, while generative AI sites like ChatGPT are not blocked on school devices, teachers have the discretion to restrict access as needed.
Key Takeaways
- School districts are developing guidelines for ethical AI use, focusing on safety and innovation.
- Teachers are being trained to use AI responsibly, while students' use is limited.
- Data privacy and ethical considerations are paramount in AI tool selection.
- AI detection tools for grading are discouraged due to potential biases.
As AI continues to evolve, so too will the guidelines that govern its use in education, ensuring that technology enhances learning while safeguarding students' well-being.