Week 2 Reflection
Describe possible use cases for GenAI in school settings at the grade level you would like to teach or describe why it would, or would not, be appropriate for your grade level.
I believe it is essential to teach students about GenAI and its implications. I recognize the way it is taught will vary across grade levels. However, while I believe it needs to be taught I also I believe it should be not be allowed for student use in schools. Seeing first-hand the reliance students have on these tools in high school while working as an EA has highlighted how quickly they can replace genuine engagement and independent thinking. I have observed a noticeable decline in critical thinking skills among students who rely on GenAI to complete their work rather than using it as a support tool. Instead of engaging with assignments, students often scan their questions and copy responses directly to their phones, bypassing the learning process altogether.
Many students are unable to regulate or control their use of this technology, and its presence in classrooms often undermines critical thinking and authentic learning. Students will inevitably use GenAI at home, but they do not need access to it during the school day. While AI can strengthen recall and integration of information, it may also hinder the growth of higher-order thinking skills if overused. Students who rely too heavily on AI may struggle to develop independent critical thinking abilities. As a teacher I want to assess my students work not AI.
Discuss how you have found GenAI useful or not for educational purposes.
I find GenAI extremely helpful for efficiency, idea generation, and feedback. During my master’s capstone, the writing process was often lengthy and difficult, and I sometimes faced major writer’s block. GenAI was especially helpful in responding to the work I had already completed by suggesting potential subtopics and new directions to explore. From these suggestions, I selected the ideas that most interested me and conducted my own research in those areas, which I then incorporated into my paper. I also use it to get feedback on assignments in school. Ill often upload my project or assignment and ask ai to give me feedback on my work based off of the rubric I was given.