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As a K-12 leader you will need to make decisions about how uses of AI may be allowed – or even promoted – in your school\/district. This webpage provides a quick introduction to key issues we encourage you to take into consideration when making these decisions.<\/p>\n
Click on each of the topics listed below for some brief considerations\/recommendations, followed by links to additional \u201cuser-friendly\u201d and concise resources we selected to provide support and\/or elaboration to those points.\u00a0 These curated resources were produced based on a review of existing literature, combined with data collected through interviews and surveys during the 2023-24 school year from over 150 K-12 leaders in Western New York.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1724352225976{padding-top: 25px !important;padding-right: 25px !important;padding-bottom: 25px !important;padding-left: 25px !important;background-color: #ededed !important;}”]<\/p>\n
These materials are based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under Grant No.2333764. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this paper are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.<\/p>\n
[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_height=”yes”][vc_column width=”2\/3″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
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Unknowns and rapid changes in AI technology call for decisions that are:<\/span><\/p>\n All constituencies should share these expectations.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1728760562648{padding-top: 25px !important;padding-right: 25px !important;padding-bottom: 25px !important;padding-left: 25px !important;background-color: #ddc3c3 !important;}”]You can find what other K-12 leaders have shared about these challenges in this 4-page article, titled “An AI Wishlist from School Leaders\u00a0<\/i><\/a>“<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/3″][vc_single_image image=”35672″ img_size=”large”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section][vc_section][vc_row][vc_column][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion color=”orange” active_section=”0″ collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Key things to keep in mind about AI” tab_id=”1724356144571-33bd13d1-b17f”][vc_column_text]As you approach decisions about AI, consider that:<\/span><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1728739553865{padding-top: 25px !important;padding-right: 25px !important;padding-bottom: 25px !important;padding-left: 25px !important;background-color: rgba(221,153,51,0.14) !important;*background-color: rgb(221,153,51) !important;}”]Many of these points are elaborated and supported with evidence in this <\/i>2024 report from MIT<\/a><\/i><\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”AI tools for K-12″ tab_id=”1724356144622-c9ef6349-6ffa”][vc_column_text]For now, there are just a few types of AI tools for K-12 education you should know about<\/span>:<\/span><\/p>\n Becoming familiar with even just one tool within each of these categories can give you a good sense of the possibilities.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1728739523236{padding-top: 25px !important;padding-right: 25px !important;padding-bottom: 25px !important;padding-left: 25px !important;background-color: rgba(221,153,51,0.15) !important;*background-color: rgb(221,153,51) !important;}”]Watch any of these short demo videos to get an idea of what these tools can do: <\/em>Co-Pilot<\/i><\/b><\/a>\u00a0 (1:36) –\u00a0 <\/span><\/i>Magic School<\/i><\/b><\/a> (6:00) –\u00a0 <\/span><\/i>Diffit<\/i><\/a><\/strong> (6:14) – <\/span>Adobe Firefly<\/a>\u00a0<\/i><\/b>(1:00)<\/i>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Experiencing AI yourself” tab_id=”1724356156896-c2bb1f01-6dd0″][vc_column_text]The best way to understand AI\u2019s affordances and limitations and inform your decisions is to try using an AI tool to help you with some authentic task \u2013 and then reflect on that experience.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1728760582681{padding-top: 25px !important;padding-right: 25px !important;padding-bottom: 25px !important;padding-left: 25px !important;background-color: rgba(221,153,51,0.15) !important;*background-color: rgb(221,153,51) !important;}”]New to AI? You can try ChatGPT without even having to start an account by using this <\/em>website<\/em><\/a>, created by metaLAB (at) Harvard.<\/em><\/p>\n You may want to start entering in the \u201csend a message\u201d box: \u201cWhat should I see in a 1-day visit to [a location you know]?\u201d; then try using the alternative prompt: \u201cI would like suggestions about what to see in a 1-day visit to [same location]. Ask me questions until you have enough information to give me your suggestions. Ask me a question at a time.\u201d responding to each ChatGPT question, and engaging in a dialogue. Notice the difference in process and output depending on your prompts. [\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion color=”green” active_section=”0″ collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Valuable AI uses by K-12 educators” tab_id=”1724356288835-8276be8b-dcf2″][vc_column_text]K-12 educators can benefit from using AI as an \u201cassistant\/ thinking partner\u201d for:<\/span><\/p>\n This may not only save time, but also improve the end product through some new functionalities – provided the output is carefully checked and the AI tool is used safely and ethically.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1728739734345{padding-top: 25px !important;padding-right: 25px !important;padding-bottom: 25px !important;padding-left: 25px !important;background-color: rgba(129,215,66,0.12) !important;*background-color: rgb(129,215,66) !important;}”]More information about risks and benefits of specific uses of AI by educators can be found in <\/span><\/i>this report<\/span><\/i><\/a>, based on interviews with K-12 leaders.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Valuable AI uses by K-12 students” tab_id=”1724356288863-6d2accf9-1cf5″][vc_column_text]While some students may use AI to do their work for them (i.e., \u201ccheating\u201d), there are also powerful ways in which AI could support student learning when used appropriately – here are some examples::<\/p>\n So, rather than trying to detect and punish students\u2019 inappropriate uses of AI, we should teach students how to use AI effectively and ethically. Each teacher should also be explicit about which uses of AI are allowed for specific tasks, and how students should report on their use of AI.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1728739917291{padding-top: 25px !important;padding-right: 25px !important;padding-bottom: 25px !important;padding-left: 25px !important;background-color: rgba(129,215,66,0.12) !important;*background-color: rgb(129,215,66) !important;}”]This 2024 article<\/a> provides valuable suggestions about how to provide students with a \u201cdecision tree\u201d to help guide their use of AI.<\/span><\/i>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Actual uses and perceptions about AI by K-12 students and educators” tab_id=”1728570363192-b2823b7b-cf3c”][vc_column_text]Surveys conducted in 2024-25 reported:<\/span><\/p>\n Students, teachers and administrators\u2019 opinions about whether and how AI should be used in K-12 education is still quite divided.<\/span>[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1752004548795{padding-top: 25px !important;padding-right: 25px !important;padding-bottom: 25px !important;padding-left: 25px !important;background-color: rgba(129,215,66,0.12) !important;*background-color: rgb(129,215,66) !important;}”]To learn more, look at this report from Carnegie Learning<\/a> on 2025 survey data collected from 49 states & Puerto Rico<\/span><\/i>.\u00a0<\/span><\/i>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion color=”blue” active_section=”0″ collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Cybersecurity and privacy issues” tab_id=”1724356354710-92de4181-4e91″][vc_column_text]Fear of sensitive data breaches and cybersecurity risks have been the main reason many schools have banned the use of AI. These risks are real – but should not stand in the way of realizing the many benefits of AI.<\/p>\n Precautions that can help mitigate these risks include:<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1728740346318{padding-top: 25px !important;padding-right: 25px !important;padding-bottom: 25px !important;padding-left: 25px !important;background-color: rgba(30,115,190,0.13) !important;*background-color: rgb(30,115,190) !important;}”]Additional considerations can be found in this 2024 blog post<\/a>.<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Equity considerations” tab_id=”1724356354737-f18d7cb5-8b89″][vc_column_text]When making decisions about proposed AI-related innovations, keep in mind that AI could help address as well as exacerbate current inequities in K-12 education, as:<\/span><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1728740667291{padding-top: 25px !important;padding-right: 25px !important;padding-bottom: 25px !important;padding-left: 25px !important;background-color: rgba(30,115,190,0.13) !important;*background-color: rgb(30,115,190) !important;}”]Support to these claims can be found in this paper<\/span><\/i><\/a> (8 pages),<\/span><\/i><\/em> ), based on 2023-24 K-12 leaders\u2019 interview and survey data<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Professional learning needs” tab_id=”1728476646345-c6fad473-0faa”][vc_column_text]Realizing AI potential benefits while controlling its related risks will require better prepared K-12 educators \u2013 thus calling for timely and high-quality professional learning opportunities for all K-12 constituencies.\u00a0 This should include:<\/span><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1728570625242{padding-top: 25px !important;padding-right: 25px !important;padding-bottom: 25px !important;padding-left: 25px !important;background-color: rgba(30,115,190,0.13) !important;*background-color: rgb(30,115,190) !important;}”]Survey results about teachers\u2019 desires and opportunities for professional development about AI can be found in <\/span><\/i>this short 2024 EducationWeek article<\/span><\/i><\/a>.<\/span><\/i>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_tta_accordion color=”purple” active_section=”0″ collapsible_all=”true”][vc_tta_section title=”Implications for policies” tab_id=”1724356378240-24eb492c-4571″][vc_column_text]As of 2024, very few districts had developed an AI policy and many K-12 leaders cautioned against doing so prematurely.\u00a0 They suggested instead:<\/span><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1728740837344{padding-top: 25px !important;padding-right: 25px !important;padding-bottom: 25px !important;padding-left: 25px !important;background-color: rgba(130,36,227,0.1) !important;*background-color: rgb(130,36,227) !important;}”]The rationale for these recommendations can be found in this 2024 4-page article<\/a><\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”Implications for curriculum and assessment” tab_id=”1724356378271-7ccf7025-ef3b”][vc_column_text]Students\u2019 easy access to AI tools – outside as well as inside schools – challenges many current assumptions and practices about WHAT students should learn and how that learning can be measured.<\/span><\/p>\n This calls for radical rethinking of learning goals as well as how those goals can be assessed, beyond adding units on AI literacy and curtailing students\u2019 possible cheating.[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1728570725698{padding-top: 25px !important;padding-right: 25px !important;padding-bottom: 25px !important;padding-left: 25px !important;background-color: rgba(130,36,227,0.1) !important;*background-color: rgb(130,36,227) !important;}”]Some ideas about how using AI can more radically transform teaching and assessment are offered in <\/span><\/i>this 2023 blog post<\/span><\/i><\/a>.<\/b>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][\/vc_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"template":"","class_list":["post-37812","ai","type-ai","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/warner\/lida\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ai\/37812","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/warner\/lida\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ai"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/warner\/lida\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/ai"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rochester.edu\/warner\/lida\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37812"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}\n
What you need to know about AI:<\/span><\/h2>\n
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\n<\/em>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_accordion][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n\u00a0AI uses in K-12 schools:<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Things to consider:<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Taking action:<\/span><\/h2>\n
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