No doubt about it—artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay. And, as it becomes more and more accessible, educators can choose to embrace and model positive and appropriate use of this increasingly prevalent tool in the classroom. While valid concerns exist, there are also many ways it can be used to improve our classrooms.

Whether you have already been using AI in the classroom for a while, or you are just starting to learn about it, the following principles can help both students and teachers view AI as an effective tool to enhance student learning…

AI is not a person. This may seem like an obvious statement, but when children interact with a technology that seems to think, learn, and respond as a person would, students run the risk of mistakenly looking to AI for social connection rather than developing relationships with other people. And, we may be unintentionally contributing to our students’ confusion by talking to and interacting with AI like we would with a person.

To help students understand the appropriate role and identity of AI, educators should treat it as a tool, not as a person. When we model the proper language to use when referring to AI (labeling as “it” rather than “he/she”) and guide student interaction with it (avoiding phrases used in human interaction like “How are you?” and “thanks”), our students are less likely to think of AI as a person, less likely to connect with it emotionally, and more likely to accurately perceive its role in their lives. Since our students’ minds are still developing, it’s important to make it clear that AI tools are just that—tools that can help people. 

The most effective communication with AI occurs when users apply computational thinking—a problem-solving technique that breaks tasks down into simpler steps. Many times, students find it difficult to provide AI with instructions that produce the desired outcomes. With this in mind, educators can help train students’ minds to look at communicating with AI as a problem they can solve by breaking down their instructions into smaller steps. 

To help them master this technique, we can intentionally include the application of computational thinking strategies in our lessons. For example, students can practice giving directions for an activity they do every day (such as tying shoes), and refining the instructions until someone can complete the activity by following each step exactly as described. Then, with our guidance, students can practice giving similar instructions to an AI tool like ChatGPT, refining the directions until it produces the desired product. The more our students employ their computational thinking skills, the more efficient their communication with AI will become. And, the more efficient their communication with it, the greater benefit AI will provide as we use it to enhance and reinforce our students’ learning. 

When used effectively and strategically in classrooms, AI can enhance the learning process. Many educators question if encouraging AI use is wise considering all of the ways students can use it to cheat. But, if educators instruct students to use AI in ways that respect the learning process, it can become an effective learning tool that can help students practice, review, and better understand concepts, theories, and approaches. 

To help students learn how to use AI as a supplemental resource, we can provide opportunities for guided practice. For example, we can initially encourage a student struggling with a math concept to do his best to find the answer to a problem. We can then show the student how to use an AI tool to check the answer and process, allowing the student to rework the problem using the tool as a guide to correct any mistakes. Finally, students can instruct the AI tool to generate similar practice math problems that lead to mastery of the concept. 

By embracing these principles myself and helping my students buy into them, I have integrated technology into learning experiences that have greatly benefitted my students. If you haven’t already done so, I encourage you to consider including appropriate AI use in your teaching practices. 

Victoria Ruth Davis, a Christian Educators member, is a 22-year computer science teacher who blogs at dailywalkwithjesus.net and coolcatteacher.com. She also hosts the 10-Minute Teacher podcast and authored the recent Christian inspirational books Every Scar a Miracle and Stay in the Boat.