The past few years AI has been becoming a debatable subject as it gets increasingly normalized and utilized in jobs, schools, and life.
Students can use AI for a variety of reasons. They may use it to help understand a topic, complete homework assignments for them, or get help on questions they’re confused on. Almost every student has used it in some way.
Yet, some students such as Kaitlin Currieri, a junior, do not agree with the use of AI in schools.
“People are suddenly [not]able to write anything about themselves. So many of our peers are constantly turning to CHAT GPT and Snapchat AI to write personal essays, answer simple questions, or do anything really,” Currieri said.
English is a subject that can involve personal thoughts and thinking. This makes the use of AI in the class different then answering a single answer problem. English teacher Amy Brown believes that while technology advancements are inevitable, we should keep in mind the environmental and ethical implications.
“Naturally, English teachers are worried about students using AI to generate essays or even respond to text-specific questions,” Brown said.
What’s meant to be a class where students develop their own thoughts and writing skills has become one where students have AI create their thoughts for them. There are, however, ways to compromise.
“I hope that by providing them with guidance instead of ignoring it completely, they will see the value of AI, but also understand the true value of learning,” said Brown.
Some teachers have learned to adapt and evolve with AI. Ben Wittenkeller, a teacher at South, was against AI until last summer. He took a class called AI Transforming K-12 Classrooms, which opened his perspective.
“I’m starting to look at it more as this is a tool that’s going to evolve as time goes by and we need to start to learn how to use it. [We should] start to understand how it can be used ethically and realize that we’re going to have to make decisions in society on the ethics of it, on what is allowable and what’s not allowable,” said Wittenkeller.