Once labelled a ‘cheating machine,’ AI cautiously embraced in Halifax schools
As the use of artificial intelligence (AI) continues to grow in classrooms, teachers like David Waugh at Eric Graves Memorial Junior High in Dartmouth, N.S., are embracing this technology while also considering the ethical implications. Three students gather around a computer as Waugh showcases an AI-generated image of a sweatshirt created for a home economics assignment.
The Halifax Regional Centre for Education has developed guidelines on the ethical use of AI in the classroom, with a focus on ensuring the integration of AI technologies in a safe and inclusive manner. These guidelines emphasize the importance of not inputting personal information into AI tools, monitoring students to prevent exposure to harmful content, and disclosing the use of artificial intelligence in school projects.
Waugh notes a shift in teachers’ attitudes towards AI, with many educators recognizing the benefits of using AI for tasks like fact-checking and research. Tools like ChatGPT, a generative AI chatbot, were once viewed as “cheating machines,” but are now being utilized for various educational purposes, such as generating images based on students’ poetry.
Students like James Hathaway find AI to be a valuable tool that allows them to focus on their academic strengths. While AI can assist with tasks like image generation for those who may struggle with drawing, limitations in the technology require students to remain critical of the output.
Despite concerns about the potential risks of AI, educators like Johanathan Woodworth from Mount Saint Vincent University believe that the benefits of AI for education are substantial. Woodworth stresses the importance of maintaining essential human skills, such as relationship building and emotional intelligence, alongside the use of AI in schools.
As schools navigate the integration of AI, it is crucial for both teachers and students to be educated on using AI responsibly. By striking a balance between leveraging technology for increased productivity and preserving the human element in education, schools can prepare students for a future where AI plays an increasingly prominent role.
