Did a Robot Write this Report? Managing AI Concerns in Schools

Outline

The session will cover the following information. Note: live links to the resources referenced below can be accessed at:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zrYgk4vbD5H-818f9mTlRKRbzRANLlQ3T4pd0ZCY5qg/edit

If this session is a longer lab session, then more time can be given to each topic.

What are the concerns? - 5 minutes
Here we will do an overview of the major concerns related to AI in schools such as academic integrity, plagiarism, cheating, data privacy concerns, inaccurate or unreliable AI information, biased AI information, and equitable access to AI

What is cheating with AI? - 5 minutes
Here we will explore the gray areas of what constitutes misuse of AI in schools, with each participant being encouraged to reflect on their opinions.

Options for alternate assessments - 5 minutes
Here we will explore other ways that student learning can be assessed which may not be as easy to cheat on with AI.

How to encourage proper citation - 5 minutes
Here we will explore options for students to be transparent in their use of AI, with ideas for how their AI use can be cited and shared with their teachers.

How to monitor AI usage - 5 minutes
Here we will explore tools and procedures to help monitor the use of AI by students. This will include tools such as Google's Version History which can be used to show what work the student has actually done on an assignment.

How to create AI-integrated assignments - 5 minutes
Here we will explore practical learning activities that can incorporate AI in a positive way.

How to address inaccuracies and biases - 5 minutes
Here we will explore the causes of inaccuracies and biases, and techniques and tools for our students to identify and address these issues.

How to protect student data privacy - 5 minutes
Here we will explore the requirement to protect Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and techniques to do so.

How to create AI guidelines - 5 minutes
Here we will explore practical resources and examples that educators can draw from to help develop guidelines for their classroom.

How to educate students about AI - 5 minutes
Here we will explore ideas for educating our students about proper and improper use of AI, as well as the guidelines that we have for our specific classes.

How to engage parents and guardians - 5 minutes
Here we will explore ideas for informing parents and guardians about our AI guidelines and how they can help support proper use of this technology.

How to stay informed - 5 minutes
Finally we will explore a wide range of resources that educators can use to stay up to date and informed on AI developments, tools, and best practices.

All throughout the session, the attendees will be encouraged to try out the tools and techniques that are covered, as well as to respond to key discussion questions I will be posing.

Outcomes

After this session, participants will be able to:
Explain what cheating with AI means to them for their classes.
Explain how they can adjust their current assignments to make them more resistant to cheating with AI.
Explain how students can properly cite their use of AI in assignments.
Effectively and accurately assess the use of AI by students in their work.
Incorporate AI in assignments in positive ways that encourage creativity and critical thinking, while discouraging overreliance on AI.
Address inaccuracies and biases in AI content, and educate students on how to do the same.
Maintain student data privacy when using AI.
Develop their own set of AI guidelines for their classes.
Educate students on the appropriate use of AI
Stay informed on the ever changing topic of AI in education.

Supporting research

Artificial intelligence in education is a new and rapidly growing field so there will be much research to come on this topic. One of the papers I have used in the development of this session is "Your Brain on ChatGPT: Accumulation of Cognitive Debt when Using an AI Assistant for Essay Writing Task" at https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.08872 which addresses the potential negative impacts of over-reliance on AI by students, and how educators can create learning experiences that use AI properly to support critical thinking and creativity.

Additionally many of the AI resources I will be demonstrating in this session are backed by research. John Hattie's "Visible Learning" studies help identify the top positive influences on student achievement as detailed at https://www.visiblelearningmetax.com/Influences
Some of the top positive influences that can be implemented and extended with AI include:
Feedback
Summarization
Help seeking
Outlining and summarizing
Self-directed learning
Technology with learning needs students
Intelligent tutoring systems
Coding
Questioning
Differentiation
Technology in writing

Finally I have learned from and built upon the excellent writing of my educational colleagues including:
Brave New Words - Salman Khan
Co-Intelligence - Ethan Mollick
AI for Educators - Matt Miller
The AI Classroom - Dan Fitzpatrick
The AI Infused Classroom - Holly Clark