AI in education is changing how kids learn to read and write, impacting classrooms across the U.S. English teachers like Lisa Parry in South Dakota are adapting fast. She noticed stale essays in her 12th-grade class and introduced ChatGPT to spark fresh ideas.
Parry offered guidance to the students on the use of AI for book report topics pertaining to “Fast Food Nation.” ChatGPT had a unique idea on McDonald’s use of sugar. Parry praised that idea as being more creative. More than 40% of English teachers had utilized AI technologies, according to a RAND Corporation poll.
The literacy skills of fourth and eighth students are declining, according to government data. We have yet to restore levels before COVID-19. Peggy Carr of the United States says educators are transforming their teaching methods. The Department of Education took note. There are fewer requests for essay assignments these days.
AI in education & as a Teaching Tool
Teachers use AI to create homework and quizzes. Jen Roberts from San Diego said tools like MagicSchool and BriskBoost fill private tutoring gaps. AI provides instant feedback to students and eases workloads for teachers like Roberts, who manages 160 students.
Teachers see improvements in reading and writing. Parry explained that students revise essays with ChatGPT, but she stressed that kids must still produce original writing.
Limits of AI in Literacy
AI products like Amira Learning teach reading and sound mapping effectively. However, Harvard’s Ying Xu said they don’t master oral comprehension as well. Xu added that kids using AI talk less with humans, reducing social interaction in classrooms.
Teachers Push Back
Some educators feel resistance to AI. Katie Thomas in New Jersey discovered students using AI to write essays. After catching this, she banned home writing. She fears students will lose critical thinking and worries about AI spreading misinformation.
Parry enforces consequences for AI plagiarism and demands original work in her classroom.
AI’s Future in Schools
More AI use is planned for 2025 by districts like Newark Public Schools. Khanmigo is set to aid literacy there. Discussions about AI’s role are ongoing in San Ramon Valley Unified. Excitement is expressed by Parry for ChatGPT’s evolution.
“It’s the new Wild West,” Parry remarked.
Source: USA Today