School District 72 Hoping Local Educators Will Embrace Use Of AI

The Superintendent of School District 72 is hoping local educators will soon embrace the use of AI in classrooms.

Geoff Manning gave a presentation to the board at its latest meeting, on what this technology is, how it functions, and its implications for SD72 schools.

ChatGPT allows for human-like conversations and more with a “chatbot,” able to assist in tasks such as writing emails, essays, and even coding.

However, that presents both opportunities and challenges in an educational context.

A big concern for teachers is the potential misuse of AI by students, possibly leading to a lack of critical and creative thinking.

The district asked teachers what they thought of the use of AI and ChatGPT, with 66 percent having said they already used it.

Nearly 60 percent of teachers who responded to the survey said they see educational merit in using AI, while about 30 percent were unsure.

Teachers expressed concerns about cheating, the impact on learning outcomes, overreliance on technology, and the diminishing human interaction.

However, Manning shared that these tools are not inherently detrimental. Like textbooks or calculators, he said they are tools that can be harnessed for educational benefit.

Manning pointed out that generative AI is here to stay and will only advance. The challenge for education is to integrate these advancements ethically.

He says students must understand the importance of using AI responsibly and recognize the line between assistance and misconduct.
Input from a recent superintendent student leadership meeting highlighted that students are already engaging with AI, reinforcing the need for a proactive approach in educating both students and teachers about responsible use.