How to use AI in the classroom ethically and responsibly

As an educator, it's important to stay abreast of the challenges, tools, and trends your students could face out in the world. Artificial intelligence (AI) is a technology with evolving capabilities that's started to significantly transform all dimensions of culture–including the educational landscape.

There are many beneficial aspects to folding AI into your classroom. With its capacity to adapt automatically to each student's unique learning journey, AI can reshape classrooms to foster personalized learning, support students as Intelligent tutoring systems (ITS) to provide one-on-one instructions, help teachers grade and supply feedback, or streamline the creation of lesson plans and content.

However, with great power comes great responsibility — particularly when it involves integrating artificial intelligence with education. As we embrace the potential of AI to enrich the learning experience, we must also confront the ethical implications that accompany its use. How can we employ AI tools while safeguarding both our values and our students' futures? What measures can we take to ensure AI aides education rather than undermines it?

In this blog, we will explore the transformative role of AI in the classroom, from the ethical concerns about AI in education to strategies for using it effectively and responsibly. We'll discuss the benefits and potential risks, addressing how to balance innovation with ethical considerations. We'll also examine the evolving role of teachers in an AI-equipped educational environment and the new skills required to harness this technology for the greater good. This conversation is not only crucial for educators but for anyone invested in the future of our education system.

Benefits of using AI in the classroom

Artificial intelligence offers a new approach to the demanding role of educators. Many instructors have endorsed the utility of AI in classrooms, with 60% of respondents to a Forbes survey responding that they've used the technology to "improve and streamline [their] daily teaching responsibilities," reflecting its burgeoning popularity.¹ AI does not merely streamline processes; it rejuvenates teaching and learning, with over half of the teachers surveyed acknowledging its positive influence and potential benefits.¹

In elementary through high school classrooms, AI-driven adaptive learning offers a tailored scholastic journey and spotlights the engagement, efficiency, and efficacy of AI. Personalized learning platforms can craft lessons to resonate with each student's distinct needs and progress milestones, but only a small percentage of educators have begun using AI to its full potential. At Arizona State University's Center for Reinventing Public Education (CRPE), a survey of teachers revealed that only about 18% of K-12 teachers in the U.S. reported using AI for teaching, with the most common use being to support students with learning differences.²

According to the CRPE survey, the top five ways teachers are using AI included²:

• Supporting students with learning differences
• Generating quizzes and assessments
• Adjusting content to be an appropriate grade level for students
• Generating lesson plans
• Generating assignments (e.g. worksheets)

By mitigating administrative burdens, AI content creation and automation can free educators from hours spent on organizational and time-consuming tasks and instead spend more time working directly with students.

However, the ethical application of AI in education must also be addressed from both the teacher and student perspectives. As the misuse of student data remains a formidable concern, it's also crucial that instructors are able to educate their students about effective and ethical use of AI tools and that governance and expectations are installed for its use on assignments and in the classroom.

What are the potential risks of using AI?

While artificial intelligence holds the potential to transform educational experiences, its adoption isn't without risks. One of the biggest concerns is the handling of student data. As AI systems collect vast amounts of information to personalize learning, they also raise concerns about data privacy and the potential for misuse of sensitive information. Educational institutions are thus tasked with the critical responsibility of implementing data protection measures to safeguard students' personal details. Being transparent about what data collection is happening in class and how it is used could go a long way to understanding and trust in the technology. Along with that transparency, students and their guardians should also have some say over the storage of their data.

Moreover, reliance on AI can sometimes lead to unintended consequences. For example, if an AI-powered grading system inaccurately evaluates a student's work, educators must be prepared to intervene and correct such errors, maintaining the quality and fairness of assessments. A tool made up of machine learning algorithms, called the Dropout Early Warning System (DEWS), has been used in Wisconsin since 2012. The tool is meant to help educators identify students at risk of leaving or not completing high school and intervening for better outcomes. In Wisconsin, 94 percent of white students graduated on time while only 82 percent of Hispanic students and 71 percent of Black students completed high school in four years–DEWS was created to help close that gap.³ However, a Department of Public Instruction (DPI) equity analysis conducted in 2021 found that DEWS generated false alarms about Black and Hispanic students not graduating on time at a significantly greater rate than it did for their white classmates.³ In other words, it seemed that race was used as a predicting factor for success and failure. While the program was optional for teachers to use, it could influence their views of their students based on superficial factors rather than true performance. Cases like this underscore the necessity for developers, administrators and teachers to remain vigilant and prepared to assume responsibility for AI-driven outcomes, even as they harness its benefits.

Another risk to consider is the potential reduction in human interaction. As AI applications begin to take over aspects of the learning process, there may be fewer opportunities for the development of social skills and meaningful teacher-student relationships. It is crucial to find a balance where AI supports educational goals without displacing the essential human element that is central to a comprehensive learning experience.

Addressing these risks requires a deliberate, measured approach to integrating AI in the classroom. It involves maintaining an active role in managing AI tools and continuously assessing their impact on students and learning outcomes.

Can AI ever replace teachers?

As artificial intelligence makes inroads into the educational sector, a question professionals in many industries have faced arises: Will I lose my job to AI? The short answer is no. While AI brings efficiencies to the table, it falls short of replicating the irreplaceable human qualities that teachers provide.

Almost everyone will recall one or several teachers fondly for the impact they had on their personal growth. The role of a teacher extends far beyond delivering content; it encompasses mentorship, moral guidance, and the nurturing of a students’ emotional and social development. These elements are intrinsic to holistic education and are deeply rooted in human interaction and connection. AI lacks the ability to perceive the nuanced emotional states of students, to inspire them through personal anecdotes, or to impart wisdom that only comes with human experience.

Furthermore, teachers serve as role models, exhibiting behaviors and attitudes that AI simply cannot emulate. The human facets of empathy, patience, and the ability to motivate and encourage students through personalized interactions underscore the unique value of human educators. The encouragement of a teacher can turn a struggling student's educational trajectory around in a way that AI, as it stands now, cannot.

As AI is increasingly integrated into daily life, it's important to realize that it doesn't have to be a threat. When people better understand how AI works, the more AI can help them. For teachers, AI can take on administrative tasks and provide data-driven insights, enabling them to focus on the more personal, complex aspects of teaching. AI should be seen as a powerful tool in a teacher's repertoire, enhancing the educational process rather than detracting from the human essence that is at the heart of teaching.

The evolving role of teachers in the age of AI

As educators, you are not being replaced but rather augmented by AI, and this shift requires the development of new skills and an adaptable mindset. AI tools can provide a base layer of instruction, adaptive testing, and immediate feedback, but teachers bring a human element that is essential for comprehensive learning. Their expertise is now more important than ever in interpreting AI-generated data to make informed decisions about individual student needs. The human teacher's role as a guide, mentor, and facilitator becomes even more pronounced.

Moreover, teachers need to develop competencies in managing AI tools. This includes understanding how AI works, discerning when and how to incorporate it into their teaching strategies, and staying current with technological trends. As AI takes over more administrative tasks, teachers can use the reclaimed time to focus on creative and critical thinking activities that foster deeper learning and human connection among students.

Teachers also become crucial in teaching students digital literacy and ethics related to AI. As they prepare students for a future where large language models and generative AI are ubiquitous, there will be even more ethical challenges to face. As AI becomes more adept at creating news stories, images, videos and more, students need to build the critical thinking skills to identify AI generated content and weigh its implications. Knowing when to use AI–and when it's better to do your own thinking or work-will become an invaluable skill for the future careers of both educators and students.

This era of AI doesn't diminish the teacher's impact; it amplifies it. Educators are not just conveyors of knowledge but pivotal figures who shape how students engage with technology and prepare them for a world where AI is a collaborative partner in their personal and professional lives.

Strategies for using AI ethically in the classroom

Implement transparent AI policies

When integrating AI into educational practices, transparency should be at the forefront. Schools and educators need to establish clear policies outlining the function of AI tools, the nature of data being utilized, and who has access to this information. It's essential that all stakeholders—students, parents, teachers, and administrators—are on the same page regarding the AI's roles and responsibilities.

Balance AI use with traditional methods

While AI offerings are enticing, it's crucial to preserve a balance with tried-and-true pedagogical practices. Traditional methods that encourage critical thinking, collaboration, and hands-on learning complement AI's strengths and cater to the varied learning styles of students. This equilibrium ensures that technological advancements enhance the learning process, supporting rather than overshadowing the vital teacher-student relationship.

Prioritize data privacy and security

One of AI's underpinnings in education is the vast quantity of data gathered to personalize the learning experience. However, this data's sensitivity demands rigorous protection. Institutions must institute stringent data security protocols to defend against breaches and unauthorized access, ensuring that students' privacy is not compromised.

Perform regular assessment of AI tools and knowledge

To guarantee AI's continued alignment with educational goals, educators should conduct routine evaluations of the technology. This means not only technical assessments for functionality but also pedagogical evaluations to measure impact on student learning and engagement. Feedback from those directly interacting with these tools—students and teachers—is invaluable for honing the AI's role in the classroom.

Adhering to these strategies will help educators and institutions employ AI not just effectively, but with a dedication to integrity and privacy that upholds the educational ethos.

Learn How to Use AI in The Classroom With an Online MSLS

In the Forbes survey, 98 percent of respondents identified a need for some education on ethical AI usage while more than 60 percent recommended comprehensive education.¹ The implementation of AI in learning environments is not a distant future—it's an unfolding reality, offering levels of personalization and engagement previously unattainable. Strategies integrating transparent AI policies, balancing AI with traditional teaching, prioritizing data security, and regularly assessing AI tools are essential to maximize the benefits while minimizing risks.

At Southern Methodist University (SMU), the online Master of Science in Learning Sciences (MSLS) program leads the charge in examining the convergence of cutting-edge technologies with impactful educational practices. As educators and professionals prepare to traverse an ever-evolving learning landscape, the online MSLS stands as a vital resource, preparing a new generation of leaders and innovators to think critically, act creatively, and teach ethically.

Whether you're a classroom teacher, a corporate trainer, or a decision-maker in education policy, the online MSLS program is your launchpad to inspire and influence positive change. Within this program, you'll learn how cognitive science, digital learning tools, and pedagogical strategies intertwine to form powerful, learner-centered educational experiences. Designed to ignite a passion for discovery and a commitment to ethical practice, the curriculum ensures graduates leave with a toolkit rich in advanced methodologies and transformative insights.

With SMU's online MSLS, you'll confidently navigate the expanding horizons of education with innovation, influence, and integrity. Get in touch with an SMU admissions outreach advisor today to learn more about the program, the admissions process and take the first step toward revolutionizing education.