Will AI replace teachers? Absolutely not! Teachers make countless critical decisions every day and play an essential role in both education and the community. Technology is ever-evolving, and the reality is this: students are already using AI. So why not embrace it? By familiarizing ourselves with AI—a tool we know students are engaging with—we can leverage it to achieve our ultimate goal: providing students with the best, most relevant education possible. Integrating current technology into your course not only enhances learning but also increases student buy-in. Why? Because it aligns with their reality. When students enter the workforce, they’ll be expected to have experience with these tools. In the Forbes article, Rise of AI Also Raises Demand for Creative Skills, Keith Farley, Senior Vice President of Aflac, explains that ‘tomorrow’s workforce will utilize AI much like today’s workforce uses technologies such as the internet—once considered futuristic and intimidating.'”
Let’s reframe the AI conversations we have with students. Rather than warning students not to misuse AI, let’s teach them to use it responsibly—for brainstorming topics, creating outlines, or generating source lists. By doing this, you’re equipping them with practical, ethical ways to use AI. When they face challenges in the future, they’ll recall the valuable guidance you provided. AI is more than a tool; it’s a teaching opportunity. How incredible is it that you, as a professor, can instruct students to use a groundbreaking technology that could shape their future success? Technology offers a plethora of conveniences: online calendar reminders, schedule repeating alarms, streaming our favorite music on demand, navigating without paper maps, and virtual grading, so why do we hesitate to embrace another tool in our ever-expanding tech toolkit? AI can be a valuable ally for teachers, helping to streamline their workload. Instead of spending hours crafting an engaging assessment with a detailed rubric, tools like Khanmigo can save you significant time. In a fast-paced world, integrating AI isn’t just a convenience—it’s an opportunity to elevate both teaching and learning.
Applications
AI offers professors a valuable tool to save time on daily managerial tasks, giving them more hours to focus on teaching and student engagement. With creativity, AI can bridge gaps students face—whether cultural, social, or academic—while fostering rich, interactive learning experiences.
Virtual Trips: AI tools provide an easy way to take students on immersive “trips” without leaving the classroom. Platforms like Google Expeditions enable students to explore Mars, tour Greece, or visit historical landmarks. These experiences close gaps between students who have traveled extensively and those who haven’t, enriching lesson plans and sparking curiosity.
Changing the Cheating Narrative: Students often misuse AI due to time constraints, frustration, or a lack of understanding. By reframing AI as a problem-solving tool, you can empower them to use it responsibly. For example, instead of copying answers, students can ask AI how to solve a math problem step-by-step or generate a list of sources to start a paper. Teaching these skills can shift their mindset from “I could cheat” to “I can get guidance to succeed.”
Modeling Creative, Proper Use: Show students how AI can simplify complex topics while promoting critical thinking. For example:
- Transform a classic literary work into a modern short story to uncover themes and character development. This allows students to look at the desired content without the layer of complex historical dialogue.
- Use AI to rewrite a complex historical concept at a simpler reading level, then guide students to analyze and rebuild its complexity.
- Turn AI into an interactive tool by having students “interview” characters from a novel, deepening comprehension through dialogue and discussion. You could pair students and have them ask AI the same question. Then, have them compare and contrast the answers provided with their opinion of the character analysis.
Khanmigo: Created by Khan Academy, Khanmigo combines their extensive library with ChatGPT to serve as a reliable AI tutor and teaching assistant. Free for educators, it can generate newsletters, exit tickets, lesson plans, and more—helping streamline your workload.
Automated Essay Scoring: AI tools like Grammarly and Turnitin lighten proofreading tasks while preparing students for real-world applications. For example, you can require students to submit a Grammarly report showing a score of 70% or higher alongside their papers. This teaches them how to use AI for self-editing and improvement, a skill they can carry beyond the classroom.
Things To Consider
There’s a delicate balance between being overly skeptical of AI and placing too much trust in it. This highlights why AI can never fully replace teachers—the human element of professional judgment is irreplaceable. While AI-generated suggestions can provide inspiration, it’s ultimately your expertise and human experience that determines the accuracy and value.
Culturally responsive and sustaining teaching requires designing lessons and assessments tailored to your unique student populations. It’s important to acknowledge that AI developers and datasets may not reflect the diversity of your students, potentially introducing unintended biases. Information generated by AI should never be assumed to be error-free, and this principle should be emphasized to students. Technology should always be used in conjunction with your personal experiences, culture, and professional expertise. Additionally, professors must always remain vigilant about compliance with federal regulations, such as FERPA, when using technology to support students.
Going Forward
If you have any questions or would like to explore incorporating Artificial Intelligence into your courses, please reach out. The SOAR I and II Student Success Instructional Technologists, along with Faulkner Online staff, are available to assist or arrange professional development sessions as needed.
References
Berg, N. (no date) Should we let students use ChatGPT? YouTube. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogcSQ-cFRVM.
Cardona, M.A., Rodríguez, R.J. and Ishmael, K. (2023) Artificial Intelligence and the future of teaching and learning: Insights and recommendations. Washington DC: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology.
Elgersma, C. (2024) Practical tips for teachers to use AI, Common Sense Education. Available at: https://www.commonsense.org/education/articles/practical-tips-for-teachers-to-use-ai.
Gasman, M. (2024) How are college faculty using AI?, Forbes. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/marybethgasman/2024/04/24/how-are-college-faculty-using-ai/.
McKendrick, J. (2023, October 5). Rise of AI also raises demand for creative skills. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/joemckendrick/2023/05/07/rise-of-ai-also-raises-demand-for-creative-skills/?sh=38f44a2cda56