Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as reasoning, learning, and problem-solving. Generative AI (GAI) is a subset of AI that can create new content, including text, code, audio, and images. Examples of GAI tools include Google Gemini, NotebookLM, and MagicSchool. For more information on what AI is, is not, and key terms, visit this link to Carnegie Melon’s Artificial Intelligence, Explained.

Generative AI creates content like text, images, music, video, or data based on user input or existing data from the Internet. It uses machine learning models to generate similar data. For example, it can summarize text or generate images.

It's important to note that generative AI is not always reliable. It may produce inaccurate, misleading, biased, offensive, or harmful content. It can also infringe on intellectual property or data privacy rights. Therefore, cautious and critical thinking is necessary when using generative AI.

What are some examples of artificial intelligence in education?

Adaptive learning systems that provide personalized learning experiences for students based on their individual needs, preferences, goals, abilities, and progress. For example, a math learning resource that recommends a learning activity based on the type of math mistake a student has made in their work.

Intelligent tutoring systems that provide interactive and immersive learning environments for students using multimedia content, simulations, games, virtual reality, or augmented reality.

Natural language processing systems (similar to a chat bot) that provide formative and summative assessment resources for teachers to use with students using various methods and modalities, such as quizzes, essays, portfolios, or oral presentations.

Speech recognition systems that provide feedback and guidance for students and teachers on their pronunciation, fluency, or accent.

Computer vision systems that provide analytics and insights for teachers and administrators on student engagement, motivation, or behavior. For example, a web-cam monitored testing environment in which artificial intelligence flags possible instances of cheating for humans to review.

Generative AI systems that create new content, such as text, images, music, video, or data, based on user input or existing data.

Personalized learning experiences to:

• • Help meet the needs of individual learning styles

  • Better engage students

  • Differentiate lessons/assignments

Enhanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Improved access to information and resources

Increased efficiency for educators

Help work through roadblocks in thinking and writing

Opportunities for assisting creative expression

Support executive functioning skills:

• • Study plans

  • Time management

  • Goal setting

• Accuracy and Bias:
  AI can be susceptible to biases present in its training data, leading to inaccurate or biased outputs.

• Nuance and Context:
  AI may struggle to understand nuances and context, potentially leading to misunderstandings or inappropriate responses.

• Consistency and Randomness:
  While AI can be highly consistent in its output given the same input, it may lack the ability to introduce intentional randomness or variation.

• Authenticity:
  Replicating an authentic human voice or style can be difficult for AI, potentially affecting the perceived quality of its output.

• Ethical Considerations:
  Ensuring AI is unbiased and free from harmful biases is a significant ethical challenge. Using AI has the potential to create content that is not original.

• Data Quality and Quantity:
  The quality and quantity of data used to train AI models can significantly impact their performance.

• Computational Resources:
  AI models often require substantial computational resources, which can be a barrier to implementation.

• Over Reliance on the use of AI:
  Using AI from the beginning to the end of the learning process, weakening critical thinking skills.

• Lack of understanding:
  Widespread fear and misunderstanding that creates barriers during implementation of AI.

Data privacy is an important focus in Burlington Public Schools. Currently, BPS reviews and approves digital resources to ensure they align with the curriculum and protect data as well as adhere to federal and state laws.

Data privacy is a right that protects personal information from unauthorized access or use. It includes, but is not limited to, data that identifies an individual, such as name, address, email, phone number, social security number, biometric data, health records, educational records and schoolwork, or online activity. When using generative AI applications, consideration for data privacy is critical. 

BPS is a member of the Data Privacy Consortium, a national organization which reviews and vets applications and websites for data privacy. Here is a link to the BPS Approved Apps and Sites. 

The goal of education is to prepare students for their future, which will include AI-powered tools. By learning about AI and how to appropriately use AI-powered tools, students will be prepared for the opportunities that await them in the future beyond classroom walls.

Empowering educators to make decisions and take actions that benefit their students is crucial for providing quality education and ensuring job satisfaction. AI also has the potential to further educational objectives. However, it cannot replace a skilled and caring educator or the social context that supports a learning community. It is a tool for humans to use with discernment in the learning process.

AI can be a valuable tool for empowering educators in various ways:

Multiple Systems of Support:
AI can assist educators in tailoring interventions or learning experiences to meet the specific needs, interests, and abilities of their students while aligning with district and state standards.

Instructional Delivery:
As educators work to provide collaborative, real-world learning experiences for students, AI can assist in the planning and preparation.

Communication:
AI can help educators quickly generate initial drafts or modify communications, such as adjusting tone or length.

Professional Learning:
Just as AI can provide resources for learners, educators can also benefit from AI resources for situational feedback and information.

It is important to note that AI is a tool to support educators in meeting the diverse needs of all students in the classroom which requires expertise in multiple domains. 

Staff should avoid using AI detection tools - While tempting to use AI to identify AI-generated content, recent research indicates these tools are unreliable (MIT Sloan Teaching & Learning Technologies, 2024; University of Kansas Center for Teaching Excellence, n.d.). They can misinterpret human-written work, leading to false positives. Focus on fostering a learning environment that encourages original thinking and authentic student voices. 

Consider the benefits listed above in this document when including AI resources in instruction, being sure that they promote critical thinking and analysis skills as well as an assessment of possible biases and false information.

Provide clear parameters for if, how, and when AI tools can be used for your class and assignments. If students are permitted to use AI tools, teachers should provide explicit lessons that explain how to use the tool in ways that are useful and not problematic.

Require students to disclose their use when using AI tools, using proper citations. Here are suggestions for citations from Brown University

Student use of generative AI refers to the educational use of AI applications or tools that can create new text, images, music, video, etc., based on user input. 

Improving Skills
Generative AI can help students improve their critical thinking skills in various areas, such as writing, reading, speaking, listening, or coding. Use communication skills to simulate debates or interviews using AI chatbots, refining arguments or presentations based on feedback. Generative AI can also help students learn new skills or languages that they may not have access to otherwise.  

Expanding Knowledge
Generative AI can help students access and synthesize information from diverse and global sources and resources. It can also help students discover and learn about new topics, fields, or cultures that they may not be familiar with. Generative AI can summarize complex articles or locate additional resources using tools to validate findings against primary sources.

Enhancing Analysis
Generative AI can help students brainstorm ideas, formulate questions, hypotheses, or arguments that can guide their inquiry or research with creative problem-solving. Generative AI can also help students find and evaluate evidence, data, or sources that can support their inquiry or research.

Enhancing Study Strategies
Generative AI can help students to create summaries, flashcards, practice questions, personalized explanations, and even visual aids based on their specific study material, allowing students to actively test their knowledge and identify areas where they need further review.

Supporting Creativity
Generative AI can help students generate new ideas, concepts, or perspectives that can inspire their own creative work or thinking. Generative AI can also help students explore different domains, genres, styles, or formats of expression.

Accuracy
The content may not always be accurate, reliable, factual, or relevant. Generative AI may also produce content that is misleading, biased, offensive, or harmful. Sources generated by Generative AI may not actually exist. Therefore, students will need to continue to improve evaluation skills in order to verify and validate the content generated by generative AI.

Originality
The content may not always be original, novel, or unique. Generative AI may also produce content that is plagiarized, duplicated, or derivative. It may also infringe on intellectual property rights or data privacy rights. Therefore, students need to understand and comply with ethical standards while acknowledging and/or citing the content generated by generative AI using appropriate references or formats

Guidance for Schoolwork
To ensure student use of generative AI in a safe, ethical, and responsible manner, the following principles and practices should be followed in order to avoid a violation of academic integrity:

Awareness
As developmentally appropriate, students should be aware of what generative AI is, how it works, its benefits and limitations, and the best practices for using it in education. 

Permission and Transparency
Students should follow the specific guidelines or instructions provided by their teachers and/or student handbook for using generative AI for each assignment or activity. When in doubt, students should seek permission from their teachers before using generative AI for their academic work. Guidance may include providing the input, output, and source of the generative AI they use for their academic work. 

Academic Integrity
Reference the Burlington High School Student Handbook and the Marshall Simonds Middle School Student Handbook for details about Academic Integrity relating to Generative AI. 

Reflection
Students should reflect on how they use generative AI for their academic work or personal learning. Students should also evaluate the quality, relevance, and usefulness of the content created by generative AI for their academic work or personal learning.

Digital resources used by staff or students in BPS, whether free or purchased, must be vetted and approved. Information about currently approved resources can be found at our BPS Approved Apps and Sites page. 

Currently approved generative AI resources include:

• Staff

  • Magic School 

  • Google Gemini for Education

  • Notebook LM

  • Canva (Magic Studio Features)

  • Brisk AI (BHS only)

  • AI Quests from Google
    
    

• Students

  • Magic Student

  • Google Gemini for Education

  • Notebook LM

  • Canva (Magic Studio Features)

  • Brisk AI (BHS only)

  • AI Quests from Google

• AI Guidance from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

• Massachusetts Guidance for Artificial Intelligence in K–12 Education (PDF)

• An example of an acceptable AI use scale for students is provided here from the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction.

• AI Literacy For Educators

• How Higher Ed Institutions are Using Built-in Generative AI Tools

• Navigating the Artificial Intelligence Revolution in Schools

• AI 101 from Code.org

• Google Learn About

• The Digital Learning Team will offer professional development opportunities for staff on using AI tools responsibly in the classroom.

• These guidelines will be reviewed and updated as technology evolves.

• BPS will continuously collaborate with other school districts to share insights and align best practices for AI use.