Education
BY HALEY VELASCO
Teachers find use in AI tools
Zooming in
Many educators across the U.S. are exploring how AI tools can be used to save them time, according to a 2023 report from the Office of Edu- cational Technology, which shows teachers spend about half their time on non-student activities. The University of Houston has a group of about 100 faculty and staff contributing to findings they have made while using AI in their coursework. Jeffrey Morgan, a mathematics professor and associate provost for education innovation and technology at UH, uses programs such as ChatGPT, a language processing AI platform, to see how effective it can be in lessons. At FISD, Silveira said she uses AI to help with many daily activities, including grading, commu- nicating with parents, and creating lesson plans. This has cut back on her non-student hours.
Workweek breakdown
Some officials believe AI can help teachers cut back on time they don’t directly spend with students.
As artificial intelligence, or AI, becomes more prevalent in society, some school districts and higher education institutions are hoping to use it as a resource. AI refers broadly to a computer’s ability to automate actions based on associations with data, according to the U.S. Office of Educational Technology, which is under the U.S. Department of Education. Friendswood ISD officials created an AI committee, made up of teachers and administrators, in January to explore AI, Executive Director of Communication Dayna Owen said. Staff was also asked in a 2023 survey about the importance of AI. FISD is also looking at challenges with AI, like plagiarism, privacy and incorrect data. “We have to teach the students how to use AI effectively—using it more as a tool, not just a cheat code,” FISD teacher Katya Silveira said.
10.5 hours: Preparation
6.5 hours: Evaluation and feedback
5 hours: Administration
3 hours: Professional development
16.5 hours: Student instruction
4.5 hours: Student coaching 3.5 hours: Student skill development
SOURCE: U.S. OFFICE OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
What’s next
Kate Johanns, the marketing and communications director for the Association of Texas Professional Educators, which advocates for educators, said she believes teachers should be cautious of privacy with AI. Other concerns include information from AI not always being correct—something both Morgan and Silveira have found while using the various AI platforms. “I think what we want all Texas educators to be aware of is ... to [not] rush into using a tool before you know what is happening with the data that you’re uploading,” Johanns said.
Educators across Texas are adjusting and preparing to navigate through the challenges of AI, as well as for the uncertainties it may bring, officials said. Morgan said he believes it will force people to think in ways they didn’t before, and give people access to information they might not have had available to them. “I think [AI] will be tremendously beneficial; I just don’t know how,” Morgan said. “It’s going to change everything—we just don’t know exactly how it’s going to do it.”
FISD's teachers' opinions on the importance of students learning how to use AI
Not important Slightly important
Very important
9%
24%
11%
Fairly important
25%
Important
31%
SOURCE: FRIENDSWOOD ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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