In just over two years since the release of ChatGPT introduced the general public to the power of artificial intelligence technology, one of the areas that has been most affected by its presence is education.
Educators at all levels need to understand and harness the potential of AI to ensure students are truly prepared for a global society that is undergoing transformation in all sectors.
Michael Kozak, EdD, assistant clinical professor and program director for Educational Administration in Drexel University’s School of Education, shared with the Drexel News Blog his perspective on how teachers are adapting to the technology and welcoming it into the classroom.
Could you see AI transforming the role of teachers in K-12 education?
Yes, AI has already had an incredible impact on education. Teachers, administrators and board members need to think of the positive aspects that AI could have on students. There are ethical considerations, such as cheating, ignoring copyrights and biases in AI-provided answers, but with the proper guardrails, such as teaching students and teachers how to identify biases, write better prompts and to use AI as a tutor and coach, students can benefit from an individualized approach in their learning.
The teacher’s role from the “sage on the stage” to that of a facilitator began with the introduction of the internet into schools. The teacher’s role will continue to evolve to allow teachers to focus on critical thinking, creative and innovative approaches to problems and challenges, and applying learning to real world issues, which has been a long-term goal of educators.
Could AI support teachers in lesson planning, assessment and administrative tasks?
This is the easiest way to implement AI into the educator’s toolbox. People who are resistant to change will usually become more open to innovative ideas when they see a personal benefit from the change. AI is not replacing teachers’ knowledge or skills, but it certainly can enhance their skills by handling tasks such as designing lessons, aligning assessments with the curriculum map and standards to ensure students are being assessed on what they are actually being taught, and handling routine tasks that are time consuming for teachers. These tasks can be accomplished without violating students’ privacy. And AI can fill in gaps in each of these areas that might have been missed due to blind spots that we all have.
A parallel to using AI is to consider how spellcheck made people better spellers, software editors helped people become aware of their grammatical mistakes, GPS helped people avoid traffic, and for anyone over 30, how digital or electronic document templates allowed us to stop measuring margins before handing in written assignments.
Could schools provide equitable access to all students?
Even though Open AI has made ChatGPT 4.o available to the public for free, paid versions of ChatGPT and other AI models can be expensive. Providing equitable access to learning tools has been a problem for many years. Parents with financial means will always be able to provide resources and learning opportunities to their children that are beyond the reach of parents with limited financial resources. However, that does not mean that schools should not provide resources, such as AI, that can have a drastic impact on teaching and learning.
Would AI help bridge learning gaps for students with diverse needs and abilities?
AI can be a powerful tool in helping students with diverse needs and abilities. Educators have been struggling to identify strategies that work for students with diverse needs and abilities. Teachers have stated how much time is needed to develop strategies for the five, ten or even 20 students in their class, each with unique needs, abilities and background knowledge. AI tools can produce learning goals, individual learning strategies and assessments, and team approaches to learning goals that account for each student’s ability, knowledge and skills.
Noted educational researchers and practitioners Carol Ann Tomlinson and Jay McTighe used this graphic, in their book “Integrating Differentiated Instruction and Understanding by Design” (2013) to demonstrate the importance of having the same learning goal for all students, including those with diverse needs and abilities, but differentiating performing tasks and learning plans depending on students’ abilities and needs. As a superintendent in K-12 schools, I used this book, and specifically this chart, as a goal for the teachers and other educators within the school district to use with their students. The reality is that accomplishing this differentiated approach to teaching and learning is extremely hard, especially when teachers are juggling multiple responsibilities. Using AI like a personal assistant can help teachers create differentiated lessons that can be used with diverse learners.
Would AI have an impact on student engagement and motivation?
AI has the potential to engage and motivate students, if used appropriately. AI can perform many tasks, but replacing students’ and teachers’ thinking should not be one of them. Educators and others have pointed to the ability of video games to engage and motivate children and young adults who are normally disengaged at school. Raising the level of expectations and providing immediate feedback are some of the strategies used by game designers to compel people to discover the various methods of overcoming obstacles to reach the next level. The way AI is used by Khan Academy and their “Khanmigo” personal assistant is a great example of using AI to ask students questions and offer prompts to help them achieve a goal without Khanmigo providing the student answers.
Should there be some ethical concerns regarding AI integration in K-12 education and how should they be addressed?
Ethical standards have been in place for years. Copying books and other material without authorization, cheating on tests, using Cliff notes instead of reading a book and other unethical means were around before AI. When I was a school principal, I remember a person asking me, why don’t you just teach kids how to properly dispose of gum instead of banning it? Discouraging negative behavior with punitive means is not as effective as teaching students positive behavior and the reasons why positive behavior is better. Teaching students how cheating and bullying can harm others, and the importance of following rules that benefit everyone can be more impactful than simply creating endless lists of what is not allowed.
Years ago, the U.S. Government funded anti-littering messages on television and billboards. That seemed to shape most people’s approach toward discarding trash by throwing it out the car window. Rewarding positive behavior is powerful, but it must be modeled by the adults for children to take it seriously. Consequences still need to be employed in many situations, but redirecting students’ behavior toward a positive approach can be incorporated into the response.
Should educators develop skills to effectively incorporate AI in their teaching practices?
Educators, regardless of whether they like AI or not, are obligated to prepare their students for tomorrow, not yesterday. AI is being integrated into almost everything that affects us, from medicine to job requirements. Not preparing students for using AI should be considered educational malpractice. Most people would not allow a surgeon relying on outdated tools and resources to operate on them. Yet, some educators, parents and policymakers are doing their best to ignore AI.
Should policymakers and school administrators play a role in guiding the ethical and responsible use of AI in K-12 education?
Policymakers and school administrators should be at the forefront of guiding ethical and responsible use of AI. Policies are the foundation, or legal requirements, for how many procedures, roles and trainings take place in an organization. School administrators work with school board members to create policies and procedures that are ethical, legal and responsible for guiding the practices of the organization. To properly accomplish this, policymakers and school administrators need to be cognizant of the latest research, laws, guidelines and practices to ensure school personnel and students are learning how to use AI ethically and responsibly in schools. There should also be leeway to promote creative and innovative approaches in using AI without crossing ethical and legal boundaries.
Reporters interesting in speaking with Kozak, should contact Emily Storz, associate director, News & Media Relations, at els332@drexe.edu, or 215.895.2705.
NOTE: Below is what ChatGPT produced after Kozak provided an original answer and instructed the tool to “improve my answer by adding missing information that is relevant to the question and would add validity to the answer.”
Would AI have an impact on student engagement and motivation?
AI can significantly enhance student engagement and motivation—if used appropriately. One of the biggest challenges in education is fostering intrinsic motivation, and AI-powered tools can help by making learning more interactive, personalized, and relevant.
For example:
- Gamification and adaptive learning: AI-powered platforms such as Duolingo, DreamBox, and Quizizz use adaptive challenges and game-like elements to keep students engaged. Research on game-based learning suggests that immediate feedback and challenge-based progression can increase motivation and perseverance.
- Conversational AI tutors: Tools like Socratic (by Google) and Khanmigo guide students by asking questions and offering hints rather than providing direct answers, similar to the way a good tutor would facilitate problem-solving.
- Real-world applications: AI can create simulations and project-based learning experiences that immerse students in real-world problem-solving. For example, virtual reality (VR) and AI-driven lab simulations can engage students in STEM subjects in ways traditional instruction cannot.
However, AI should complement, not replace, human interaction. Research has consistently shown that student engagement is highest when there is meaningful interaction with teachers and peers. AI can support engagement, but teachers remain essential in fostering critical thinking, curiosity and a sense of purpose in learning.
