Roberto Germán [00:00:01]:
Welcome to Our classroom. In this space, we talk about education, which is inclusive of, but not limited to what happens in schools. Education is taking place whenever and wherever we are willing to learn. I am your host, Roberto Germán, and Our Classroom is officially in session. Welcome back to our classroom. Good to be with you once again. Yes, yes, my people, today we're tackling a huge conversation in schools everywhere. Using AI to enhance, not overshadow, effective teaching.
Roberto Germán [00:00:47]:
Basically, how to turn AI from breath to teaching partner. In your classroom, artificial intelligence is not going anywhere. Right? We know that. We understand that. I'm not positioning myself as the artificial intelligence expert, but, you know, been exploring being, getting familiar with AI, utilizing different tools, trying to understand the pros and the cons. And we know that AI in education is, is no longer sci fi. Right? You know, we're not like watching flicks and envisioning the future. Nah, it's here now.
Roberto Germán [00:01:27]:
So we, we have to get with it. There's no shaking it. And Sal Khan, the CEO of Khan Academy, he recently compared classroom AI to having five amazing graduate students assisting teachers with grading, monitoring, engagement, help and plan for less burnout and for more personalization. And that's interesting. You know, like, again, we have to consider the fact that this is a tool and we need to learn how to leverage this tool as opposed to just put up resistance because it's something new, it's something different, because maybe we don't know how to utilize it well, so we just rather not. Nah, that's not the flow. And at the same time, teachers are grappling with student misuse of tools like a ChatGPT. We know folks use them to write papers.
Roberto Germán [00:02:27]:
Some are using it and cheating, some are bypassing real critical thinking. And that is problematic. So we cannot ignore that. We have to contend with both sides of the matter. So here's a question. How can educators embrace AI's power while keeping the learning genuine? No, I'm genuinely asking how can educators embrace AI's power while keeping the learning genuine? And as I've been exploring AI, thinking about the classroom, getting familiar with the tools, observing how students engage with that, there are some things that come to mind. Right? Three smart strategies to partner with AI. First, let's consider using AI for feedback, informative assessment.
Roberto Germán [00:03:34]:
All right, If AI can help me with grading basics, you know, quizzes and grammar and reading comprehension, then I welcome that, you know what I'm saying? Because it's going to free me up. It's going to free you up to focus on meaningful feedback and student growth. Right. And we know that a lot of the classrooms be jam packed with students. There's a lot to get back to, and sometimes we're feeling stressed by the weight of some of those grading tasks. All right, now the second smart strategy to partner with AI is to design AI resilient real world tasks. How do we do that? Good question. Well, we would ask open ended questions, reflections, oral presentations, or hands on projects.
Roberto Germán [00:04:28]:
And as teachers are already doing, right. We don't. Teachers, we've been on the grind, you know what I'm saying? As we're doing, let's move away from essays that AI can easily generate, right? And let's push for some real world tasks. Let's get the students thinking more critically. Let's get the students trying on some things, right? Hands on application. Let's get them engaged in real time reflection and oral presentations. And so that's number two. The third smart strategy to partner with AI is to model AI literacy for students.
Roberto Germán [00:05:24]:
We should teach students about ethical AI use because once again, it's here. It's not going anywhere. We have to utilize this thing. So, hey, students, here's how I use AI to refine my lesson plans and to create some visuals. But here's why I still read the work and ask you to, you know, talk. Talk to me. Let's, let's talk through it. I want to hear your thoughts.
Roberto Germán [00:05:53]:
I want to hear how you're processing things. I want to hear the connections that you are making. Right? So again, model AI literacy for students. And as we're doing that, let's consider the real life wins, because there are gonna be wins, man. And let's celebrate the victories while simultaneously seeing the caution flags, right? Hey, we ain't gonna ignore the warning sign. So there will be plenty of success stories. You're gonna hear about how schools use AI to find disengaged students. Hey, Sophia, she wasn't participating this week.
Roberto Germán [00:06:39]:
And then boom, teachers step tailored support, leveraging the AI. All of a sudden, you know, Sophia's into it. Wonderful. Flip side warning signs over reliance on AI. It can dull critical thinking. And some educators are moving back to handwritten or oral work to preserve learning integrity. I get. Makes sense to me.
Roberto Germán [00:07:07]:
And I would advise that we approach with balance, maintain that healthy balance that allows you to not use, completely use one strategy or another, but to have a holistic approach. Right. We want to make sure we're auditing the task. You know, hey, man, like, well, is it AI proof out here? You know, does it feel too open to the AI Generation now. Well, you know, well, let's. Let's audit. Let's audit the task and let's pilot an AI tool. All right? What I mean by that, hey, start small.
Roberto Germán [00:07:53]:
Do not overwhelm yourself. Pace yourself into this mug for real. You know, do some auto grading quizzes and, and generate individuals and explore, test it out, try on some different tools. You know, maybe this AI tool is not for you, but that one is. All right, track the time saved and the student reactions. Right? We want to collect that data, or data for those who prefer to say it that way, and then create a classroom AI policy set clear do's and don'ts. Use AI as a tool, not a shortcut. Right? It's a tool.
Roberto Germán [00:08:35]:
Just like a calculator, typewriter, computer, laptop, phone. I could keep going. You get the picture, right? And I know I dated myself a little bit by some of the things I just named. Again, I am not the AI expert. I'm just someone who's exploring with the tools, trying to figure out how I could better utilize it for myself, how I could better utilize it for the young learners that I engage with, that I guide, and trying to get a sense of where I'm at in this discussion and the tension that we are wrestling with in this new reality. Right? So I don't want to shy away from that. I want to lean into this. I want to lean into it with balance and efficiency while maintaining real learning.
Roberto Germán [00:09:32]:
So, hey, you already know what time it is. If this inspired any new ideas for you or thoughts, or maybe you've been deep into this and you have a ton of strategies, please share. All right, we want to hear all about it. You know, we are engaged. We are engaging a community, and this is our classroom. Let's leverage AI to elevate teaching, not erase it. Peace. Peace.
Roberto Germán [00:10:03]:
As always, your engagement in Our Classroom is greatly appreciated. Be sure to subscribe, rate the show and write a review. Finally, for resources to help you understand the intersection of race, bias, education in society, go to multiculturalclassroom. Com. Peace and love from your host, Roberto Germán.
