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E-Edition
TRENDING:
The purchase of artificial intelligence technology faced resistance at the recent Haverford School Board meeting.
The district administration requested the purchase of two software packages, schoolai and Brisk Teaching, totaling just over $35,000 that they said would enhance not replace human-centered education.
A number of residents, including two students, spoke out against the use of AI in the schools.
Superintendent Dr. Matthew C. Hayes said the purpose and plan in using the technology is what is guiding the administration’s five year strategic plan. Improving academic excellence in an evolving world and intentionally using technology is one of the methods.
Administrators evaluated a number of AI programs on five criteria: instructional impact, ease of use, data privacy-security and quality of output and alignment with district goals. The two chosen were the lowest-priced options.
During a presentation at an earlier committee meeting, Director of Technology Robert Anderson said teachers in the district have used both platforms and were comfortable with them. The tools can be customized to teachers’ needs.
schoolai is focused on student interaction and learning experiences that allows teachers to create structured AI powered learning activities while Brisk Teaching is a teacher productivity tool and instructional support.
Signed agreements with the companies will include provisions on the use of data and are for one year.
Board Member John Flagler, who is also a teacher in Philadelphia said AI has “bullied its way into the front of the tech discussion in all aspects of our lives.” He said more studies are showing that digital tools in classrooms are actually reducing student learning.
“I believe it is time for us to take a moment to pause before we dig ourselves even deeper into the tech evolution, which is proving to be a student learning de-evolution,” Flagler said.
Flagler added that AI can be used to lighten teacher loads, but there are lines that should not be crossed.
One line he felt should not be crossed is grading, which he said is one way teachers learn about students and is a way teachers build relationships with students. Administrators said the proposed platforms will not be grading students.
Board Vice President Christopher Shelton warned about cautions especially with students facing chatbots. He said he was concerned about chatbots that represented historical figures and how administrators would confirm what they are teaching is fact and verify the information.
Administrators said those chatbots could be turned off. The district is also teaching students to have skepticism when doing research and working online, which helps them develop critical thinking skills.
The superintendent said the AI programs will be a resource that will allow parameters to be put into place.
Board President Dr. Latanya King asked what it means for district goals for years down the line if they don’t adopt the school AI platform.
Hayes said it might mean exposure of risk, what students and teachers are putting into free AI platforms because the school district doesn’t offer a program.
Flagler went on to ask about the costs, and down the road, without critical thinking being dependent on them.
“These are not benevolent companies who are looking out for our best interests,” he said. “They are trying to get as many taxpayer dollars as they can, and they are also the same companies who own the politicians who are writing the laws.”
The Superintendent said the agreement is for one year and is not an automatic contract renewal.
Board member LaTonia Lee returned to “what happens if we don’t adopt.” She said free AI programs are bombarding students already. She suggested giving teachers a chance to develop and evaluate.
The district plan would be to present the platforms to teachers and it would be up to them to decide if it makes sense for their classroom.
It would involve the high school initially, the middle school maybe, not at the elementary level.
Anderson said they have no intention to let AI do grading.
schoolai has options for student facing interactions, which can be turned off.
Brisk has additional functions, including a feedback function. It is more web based. It can create questions that will be approved by the teacher, to present to students to see if they are taking in the material.
Meredith Hearn, technology integration coordinator, said administrators like Brisk because it works Google docs and provides first level feedback and gives a teacher overview: how many edits were made or were large portions cut and pasted. That would be a red flag that would bring a conversation with the teacher.
She said students aren’t writing papers using AI. They are using AI to help them develop research and to write the paper. The district is promoting teaching the appropriate use of AI, teaching beneficial uses, not to cheat.
The goal would be to limit the ability of students to log into other AI models using school facilities now that the district would have their own.
In a video shown to the board, high school Librarian Keith McConnell said he is a big believer that AI will make staff more productive and efficient.
He is a regular user and favored Brisk, since it builds right in the document he is working with. He said he doesn’t think AI will replace teaching. That requires human relationships but it is giving him time that can be better spent with students.
The board voted 5-3 in favor of both platforms.
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