Artificial Intelligence FAQs

“Generative AI” is a type of AI that can be used to create various types of content, including new text, images, video, audio, computer code, or artificially generated data, as well as creative writing and essays. One popular example of generative AI is called ChatGPT. While generative AI’s ability to produce new content can be incredibly helpful, it also raises potential concerns that include plagiarism, ethics, bias, and the spreading of misinformation.

Learners of all ages need to understand when and how to use generative AI effectively and ethically. AI tools can enhance classroom learning and implementation of these should be guided by proper training, ethical considerations, and responsible oversight. 

To help students acquire new knowledge and skills, as well as to build knowledge and skills progressively over time, teachers must have access to students’ authentic demonstrations of learning.  Sometimes, those skills can be ethically and productively enhanced in positive ways using generative AI. At other times, teachers will require that students complete assignments without the assistance of generative AI. This will likely depend upon the skills/knowledge being assessed. 

Learners of all ages need to understand when and how to use generative AI effectively and ethically. AI tools can enhance classroom learning and implementation of these should be guided by proper training, ethical considerations, and responsible oversight.

The MSD Digital Exploration Team (teachers, admin, and classified) met to assess the current research around AI in schools and made a recommendation to unlock AI tools in MSD. Currently, the MSD is working to educate staff and families regarding AI. AI tools will be unlocked in October 2024.

Our Medford School District AI Code of Conduct outlines student responsibilities. 

Our Medford School District Acceptable Use Agreement and Expectations outline all expectations regarding technology for both staff and students, including the associated Board Policy.

An informative, asynchronous canvas course is being created to support teachers in feeling comfortable in using AI both in instruction and in assisting them with administrative tasks.  Principals and Assistant Principals will also provide support with questions about student behavior and documenting common expectations.  Lastly, each school has created a specific plan to ensure that all students receive digital citizenship instruction around topics such as cyberbullying, media literacy, and data privacy.  For more information about our Common Sense Media Digital Citizenship Curriculum, click here. 

With guidance, an education system may realize the potential benefits of AI to improve learning outcomes, support teacher instruction and quality of life, and enhance educational equity.

Without proper guidance, teachers and students can be exposed to privacy violations, inconsistent disciplinary consequences, and counterproductive AI adoption practices.

• Aiding Creativity: Students can harness generative AI to spark creativity across diverse subjects, including writing, visual arts, and music composition.

• Collaboration: Generative AI tools can partner with students in group projects by contributing concepts, supplying research support, and identifying relationships between varied information. 

• Communication: AI can offer students real-time translation, personalized language exercises, and interactive dialogue simulations. 

• Content Creation and Enhancement: AI can help generate personalized study materials, summaries, quizzes, and visual aids, help students organize thoughts and content, and help review content. 

Tutoring: AI technologies have the potential to democratize one-to-one tutoring and support, making personalized learning more accessible to a broader range of students. AI-powered virtual teaching assistants may provide non-stop support, answer questions, help with homework, and supplement classroom instruction.

• Assessment Design and Analysis: Teachers will ultimately be responsible for evaluation, feedback, and grading, including determining and assessing the usefulness of AI in supporting their grading work. AI will not be solely responsible for grading. 

• Content Development and Enhancement for Differentiation: AI can assist educators by differentiating curricula, suggesting lesson plans, generating diagrams and charts, and customizing independent practice based on student needs and proficiency levels.

• Continuous Professional Development: AI can guide educators by recommending teaching and learning strategies based on student needs, personalizing professional development to teachers’ needs and interests, suggesting collaborative projects between subjects or teachers, and offering simulation-based training scenarios such as teaching a lesson or managing a parent/teacher conference.

• Research and Resource Compilation: AI can help educators by recommending books or articles relevant to a lesson and updating teachers on teaching techniques, research, and methods.  

Medford School District uses Common Sense Education as the primary instructional resource for digital citizenship.  Common Sense Education also has many quality resources in both English and Spanish for families in their Family Engagement Toolkit at https://www.commonsense.org/education/toolkit/family-engagement-resources Examples of topics include teaching kids to protect their data and privacy online, online safety, social media, screen time, and more.

By allowing students access to applications using AI, we are ensuring all students have equal opportunities to engage in 21st-century personalized learning experiences.  AI algorithms analyze vast amounts of data to identify diverse learning styles, preferences, and cultural nuances. This allows for the creation of educational content and resources that resonate with learners from various backgrounds and needs. The use of AI can be an aid to students receiving special education services by providing text-to-speech or visual descriptions.  Multilingual learners can practice speaking and writing skills and receive immediate feedback.