San Ramon School District encourages teachers to adopt AI
East Bay School District is encouraging teachers and students to leverage artificial intelligence tools like Chat GPT to enhance learning in the classroom. San Ramon Unified School District leaders say banning AI in classes and homework is counterproductive.
San Ramon, California – East Bay School District is encouraging teachers and students to leverage artificial intelligence tools like Chat GPT to enhance learning in the classroom. San Ramon Unified School District leaders say banning AI in classes and homework is counterproductive.
Artificial intelligence and its impact on education took center stage during an hour-long presentation at the San Ramon Unified School District Board of Trustees meeting.
SRVUSD Director of Technology Kelly Hilton emphasized the importance of integrating AI into education.
“We’re in a situation where there’s a lot of anxiety around how do we do this the right way,” Hilton said.
The district has been researching the potential of AI in education since Chat GPT debuted in November 2022.
“We’re working on how to use it not only to encourage and enhance critical thinking, but also when it’s not appropriate,” Hilton added.
This morning, more than 30 middle school and high school teachers and administrators across the district met to discuss and define when it is appropriate to use AI in classroom curriculum, assignments, and homework.
“We’re going to address the hot topic of plagiarism, and teachers will help us define what that looks like,” Hilton said.
Some students are already noticing that their teachers are changing the way they submit assignments, especially written work and essays, to prevent plagiarism.
“My class is doing more work based on paper,” said Justin Chen, a senior at San Ramon Valley High School. “If you have to write an essay, you must write it by hand during class.”
Maddie Nieman echoed similar sentiments.
“When we’re at school, they have apps open so they can see the tabs. If you’re cheating, they can see it anyway. You might as well do it right,” she said.
At the board meeting, teachers shared how they are using AI to make their lessons more fun and engaging for students.
Kyle Costamanga, a middle school math and technology teacher, says, “What are middle school students interested in? “What if we could convert it like this?” What about Taylor Swift? ”
Some educators opposed banning AI platforms like Chat GPT completely.
“We want to set our students up for success in the future,” said Samantha Goodman, social studies teacher at Monte Vista High School. “If they come into the workforce without knowledge of this tool, we would be doing them a disservice.”
San Ramon Unified School District will hold a conference for parents and students to learn about integrating AI into the curriculum on Wednesday at 6 p.m.
