69ý

Artificial Intelligence

3 Things to Keep in Mind When Vetting AI Tools for the Classroom

By Lauraine Langreo — January 18, 2024 3 min read
Illustration of woman teacher vetting artificial intelligence for classroom.
  • Save to favorites
  • Print
Email Copy URL

Many schools across the country are in the beginning stages of implementing artificial intelligence-powered tools in the classroom.

States and districts have been rolling out guidance on how to use the technology. And one-third of teachers are already using these tools in their classrooms, according to an EdWeek Research Center survey conducted in November and December.

As educators try out this new technology, learning how to effectively vet the AI tools will become increasingly important.

In a Jan. 18 webinar hosted by Common Sense Media, a nonprofit that promotes the development of digital and media literacy skills, experts from the organization provided tips for assessing new AI tools. The panel included Steve Garton, a senior manager for the organization’s privacy program; Bianca DeJesus, an editor of learning content; and Jennifer Ehehalt, a senior regional manager.

Here are 3 tips for deciding whether or not to use an AI tool in the classroom:

1. Don’t assume your district needs to overhaul its vetting process for ed-tech tools

District and school leaders need to remember that they already have processes in place to handle new digital tools introduced in the K-12 space, Garton said. Those vetting practices and acceptable use policies are still relevant with AI.

“The vetting process, the way that you approve apps, the process that you’ve gone through—you have all these things in place,” he said. “Those don’t change just because the word AI is there.”

See Also

For example, when assessing whether to use an AI tool in the classroom, educators should examine its data privacy and security practices, whether it’s aligned to the district’s teaching and learning priorities, and if it provides appropriate evidence of its effectiveness.

Common Sense, which also rates and reviews digital apps, has started reviewing popular AI tools. In its reviews, the organization focuses on whether the tools are engaging, fit with teachers’ pedagogy, and provide support for users, DeJesus said. Educators can also think about those factors when assessing an AI tool, she said.

2. Pay close attention to privacy policies and terms of use

While some of the new generative AI tools cropping up are geared toward educators and students, many are made for the general public. That means educators and the teams vetting the tools need to pay special attention to the app’s privacy policy and terms of use, Garton said.

Those usually will mention what data the AI tools are collecting from users and what they’re doing with it. It’s good practice not to put sensitive information into any of these generative AI tools, Garton said.

Those privacy policies should also include what datasets the AI tool was trained on, which is important for educators to be mindful of because the responses the AI tool generates could include inaccurate or biased information. For instance, the free version of ChatGPT doesn’t have training beyond events that had happened and information that was available after January 2022. So, if you ask it about current events, it would not generate a factual response.

Many AI companies’ privacy policies note that their tools might not generate factual information and ask their users to use discretion before relying on the content their tools produce. Educators should be reminded of that cautionary note, experts say.

3. There’s no need to try all AI tools

Generative AI technology is changing and being updated every day, and new tools continue to crop up. Still, educators shouldn’t feel the need to try everything.

“If anything, just pick one of these [tools] and start with it,” Ehehalt said. Trying out the tool in small ways can help educators determine whether it fits into their work, their lessons, and the students’ learning.

In fact, one of every three educators are already doing so. According to an EdWeek Research Center survey, 21 percent of teachers have used AI tools a little, 10 percent said they’ve used them some, and 2 percent said they’ve used them a lot. These educators, in open-ended responses to the survey, said that it can be a very effective tool if used responsibly.

See Also

Illustration of laptop with checklist on the screen
DigitalVision Vectors/Getty

Events

This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
Artificial Intelligence Webinar
AI and Educational Leadership: Driving Innovation and Equity
Discover how to leverage AI to transform teaching, leadership, and administration. Network with experts and learn practical strategies.
Content provided by 
This content is provided by our sponsor. It is not written by and does not necessarily reflect the views of Education Week's editorial staff.
Sponsor
School Climate & Safety Webinar
Investing in Success: Leading a Culture of Safety and Support
Content provided by 
Assessment K-12 Essentials Forum Making Competency-Based Learning a Reality
Join this free virtual event to hear from educators and experts working to implement competency-based education.

EdWeek Top School Jobs

Teacher Jobs
Search over ten thousand teaching jobs nationwide — elementary, middle, high school and more.
Principal Jobs
Find hundreds of jobs for principals, assistant principals, and other school leadership roles.
Administrator Jobs
Over a thousand district-level jobs: superintendents, directors, more.
Support Staff Jobs
Search thousands of jobs, from paraprofessionals to counselors and more.

Read Next

Artificial Intelligence From Our Research Center 'We're at a Disadvantage,' and Other Teacher Sentiments on AI
Teachers say they have other, more pressing priorities.
3 min read
3D illustration of AI button of keyboard of a modern computer. Light blue button. 3D rendering on blue background. Training.
Bo Feng/iStock + Education Week
Artificial Intelligence Opinion What Makes 69ý (and the Rest of Us) Fall for AI Misinformation?
Researchers Sam Wineburg and Nadav Ziv explain how to turn your students into savvy online fact-checkers.
Sam Wineburg & Nadav Ziv
4 min read
Trendy pop art collage search concept. Halftone laptop computer with search bar and cut out hands pointing on it.
Cristina Gaidau/iStock
Artificial Intelligence Parents Sue After School Disciplined Student for AI Use: Takeaways for Educators
The Massachusetts lawsuit is one of the first to highlight the benefits and challenges of generative AI use in the classroom.
5 min read
Person using technology smart robot AI, enter command prompt. A.I. Chat concept AI, Artificial Intelligence.
iStock/Getty
Artificial Intelligence Q&A This Counselor Used AI to Help 69ý Apply to College. Here's How
Jeffrey Neill shares his tips on when it makes sense to use AI in the college application process.
6 min read
Jeffrey Neill, director of college counseling at Graded - The American School of São Paulo in Brazil, presents on how to use AI tools in his work at the College Board’s annual forum in Austin, Texas on Oct. 21, 2024.
Jeffrey Neill, director of college counseling at Graded: The American School of São Paulo in Brazil, presents on how to use AI tools in his work at the College Board’s annual forum in Austin, Texas, on Oct. 21, 2024.
Ileana Najarro/Education Week