In recent years, many schools have faced the challenge of AI in public education. More districts are now encouraging teachers and students to include AI in the classroom for educational and technological benefits.
Teachers are encouraged to use AI to save time and access additional information. English teacher Holly Hollifield, in her 19th year at Chapman, spoke about the integration.
“It’s a good tool for teachers concerning practice materials, and to help relieve some of the stress that comes with teaching,” Hollifield said. “It has unique and creative ways of learning the material, but of course, there are dangers to the ethics. When you start incorporating and using it, then the line between plagiarism kind of becomes blurred.”
Teacher stress has skyrocketed in recent years due to the rapid expansion of technology in education. Spartanburg One AI facilitator Jimmy Pryor explained that in a recent survey, about 72 percent of teachers reported feeling some level of stress over teaching responsibilities.
“AI is like a super-powered teaching assistant,” Pryor said. “It can help create personalized lessons, generate different versions of assignments based on how kids learn best, and assist with many of the administrative tasks that teachers have to do. Basically, it helps teachers reclaim instructional time.”
Not only does it help teachers regain time for planning, but it also provides students with a personalized learning approach, ensuring they receive methods that suit them best.
Although AI is still new, it is developing quickly. Senior Owen Walker explained how he has seen it evolve during his four years of high school.
“I think it would help me as long as I’m not using it to do the work for me, but I find it beneficial for checking my answers for specific subjects,” Walker said. “It has definitely been involved a lot more each year.”
The biggest challenge many face is the ethical standpoint. Teachers are permitted to use AI, while students often face accusations of plagiarism if they do. This is a dilemma that can only be addressed through time and experience with AI.
Principal Matt Davis said the technology has promise.
“Every student in the school needs something different,” Davis said. “Even good teachers can’t teach twenty different people twenty different ways. That’s impossible. So how can you make it as unique as possible? That’s where AI comes in, providing more individualized instruction so each student benefits.”
