AI Tools Reshape Teaching Practices in U.S. Schools
The integration of artificial intelligence in education is rapidly transforming classroom dynamics. Teachers are increasingly relying on AI to streamline their work, enhancing both teaching efficiency and student engagement.
In Dallas, Ana Sepúlveda, a math teacher in a dual language school, has harnessed AI to bring excitement to her 6th grade honors geometry class. By using ChatGPT, she created an engaging lesson plan that connects geometry to soccer, a sport her students are passionate about.
“Using AI has been a game changer for me,” Sepúlveda commented. She finds it invaluable for lesson planning, communicating with parents, and boosting student participation.
Nationwide, AI tools are becoming integral to teaching, assisting in tasks like designing quizzes, preparing lessons, and reducing administrative workloads. A recent survey by Gallup and the Walton Family Foundation revealed that 60% of K-12 public school teachers used AI in the past school year, with high adoption rates among high school and early-career educators.
Guidelines and Training for AI in Classrooms
As educators adopt AI tools, states are beginning to issue guidelines to ensure their effective use and prevent shortcuts that might compromise student learning. Maya Israel from the University of Florida emphasizes the importance of maintaining teacher judgment in AI-assisted grading.
Data from the survey indicates that AI tools save teachers significant time, with 80% reporting reduced time spent on tasks like creating worksheets and quizzes. Moreover, 60% of teachers noted an improvement in the quality of their work due to AI, especially in customizing student materials and providing feedback.
Mary McCarthy, a high school social studies teacher in Houston, shared that AI has not only enhanced her teaching but also improved her work-life balance. Training on AI tools has enabled her to guide students on responsible usage.
Selective Application of AI in Education
While AI adoption in education has grown since the launch of ChatGPT in 2022, concerns about excessive reliance persist. Approximately half of the teachers surveyed express worries that AI might hinder critical thinking and problem-solving skills among students.
Teachers like Darren Barkett from Colorado have learned to identify AI-generated student work by its flawless grammar and complex phrasing. Meanwhile, Lindsay Johnson, an art teacher in suburban Chicago, uses AI selectively, ensuring its safe application in student projects.
Johnson incorporates AI at the final stages of assignments, such as helping students design backgrounds using vetted tools. “As an art teacher, my goal is to let them know the different tools that are out there and to teach them how those tools work,” she explained, noting that some students prefer to rely solely on their creativity.
The Associated Press’ education coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
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