The use of AI in schools has created a strange situation. Students are using AI tools like ChatGPT or Google Gemini to help with homework and essays. At the same time, many teachers are using AI themselves to grade papers or create lesson plans. Yet, some teachers say it’s unfair or wrong when students use the same tools. Can schools handle AI in a fair and useful way for everyone?
Quick Summary
- Teachers use AI to save time on tasks like grading and planning.
- Students also use AI to help with homework and studying.
- Some teachers call student use of AI cheating, creating a double standard.
- Education should focus on adapting to AI, not banning it as banning AI outright is just futile.
How Teachers Are Using AI
Teachers today have a lot on their plates. They handle big classes, create lesson plans, grade assignments, and deal with lots of paperwork. Both my parents are retired teachers, so I understand all too well what being a teacher involves. I actually helped my mom grade quizzes when I was a little kid! So, when I think about it, it makes sense that many teachers are turning to AI for help with their workload. For example, AI tools can grade quizzes, give quick feedback on essays, or even suggest daily lesson ideas. This saves teachers time and energy, letting them spend more time actually teaching and helping students.
Some teachers even upload entire curriculums into AI systems to get useful materials faster. Instead of spending hours planning a week’s worth of lessons, AI can do the basics in minutes. When used in the right way, AI becomes a helpful tool, not a replacement, for good teaching. It helps teachers focus more on what really matters: working with students.
And at least in the US, there is likely to be a further increasing expectation that teachers incorporate AI into their education programs.
Why Students Are Using AI Too
Just like teachers, students also find AI useful. Most students today grew up with access to technology and are quick to use new tools. Apps like ChatGPT and Google Gemini can help brainstorm ideas for an essay. Let’s be honest, these tools are easy to use and often give quick results. These AI tools can hallucinate on occasion but for low level use the results can be very impressive. It’s sufficient.
Trying to ban AI completely from student use won’t really work. Sure, schools can limit AI during tests or in classrooms, but students can still use these tools at home. Instead of strict bans, it makes more sense to teach students how to use AI responsibly. Just like calculators or spell checkers, AI can be a support tool, not something to do all the work for them. Students should learn when it’s okay to use AI and when it’s better to think things through on their own. I believe the key is to shift the learning process to focus more on critical thinking and areas where engaging the human brain in novel ways really matters.
Changing How We Think About Learning
Now that AI is a part of both teaching and learning, schools need to rethink what’s most important in education. Some parts of schoolwork, like grading tests or making attendance reports, don’t need a human to do them. AI could potentially handle those tasks. That gives teachers more time for things that require human skills, like helping students think critically or giving real-time feedback.
Schools should use AI to help with the boring or repetitive stuff, while making sure the important work, creative projects, discussions, and real-world problem solving stays with teachers and students. That way, AI helps learning instead of replacing it.
Also, schools might need to change how they grade students. Instead of only testing facts, they could focus more on how students explain ideas or solve problems. Since AI is widely available, it’s no longer just about who can write the best essay. It’s about who can show strong thinking and decision-making skills. These are things AI can’t do as well as humans. And hey, it might make sense for the format of the classroom to change to bring back an emphasis on public speaking and writing on paper. If you want to reduce reliance on AI, perhaps stop relying on teaching patterns which grade capabilities that AI can do really easily. Instead focus on teaching things that AI cannot do well.
Final Thoughts
Trying to stop students from using AI is a losing battle, students will always find ways to use it. Instead of fighting change, schools should accept it and find smart ways to adapt. That means using AI where it helps and being clear about when it shouldn’t be used. It also means rethinking education in general. Trying to teach people the same way as the past just doesn’t make much sense when Technology is moving so fast. As I say in my AI Principles, AI is here so we should figure out how to emphasize the good it can bring and minimize the downsides. I do believe it is possible that if the educational system can evolve how teaching is done, there is the possibility for positive learning experiences for everyone, teachers and students alike.
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Research Sources:
Sapiens Forward 