Posts

Walking the Fine Line: Leveraging AI in Education Through the Lens of Virtue Ethics

-
Image
What lines should we not cross when it comes to leveraging AI in education? This is both a question I've been asked many times and a question I've asked myself many times. For a long time, I patiently waited for institutional guidance to answer it. However, more recently I've turned to philosophy—more specifically, virtue ethics—for direction.  We can wait for others to provide ethical guidance on AI use, and some guidance may come. Certain deontologies—mandated rules—may emerge; however, reflecting on our own moral compasses may offer a more meaningful course. Consider this Case Study (Disclosure: I ChatGPTed it for expedience): A longtime student requests a reference letter. You consider using AI to draft it but must balance efficiency with ethical concerns about authenticity and confidentiality. How should you proceed? Being an educator involves being marooned in a perpetual state of busyness: classes to teach, papers to grade, meetings to attend, and refe...
Post a Comment
Read more

Part Three: How to Navigate AI in Your Own Classroom

-
Image
This blog post breaks down the AI integration framework I developed for my own classes. Here is the current iteration of my framework: With this framework, I sought to create an intuitive document that was responsive to our students' learning needs, teachers' professional autonomy, and the BC Ministry's guiding documents on AI. It's very much a living document: I frequently adjust and refine it as my understanding of AI deepens. I don't claim to be an expert of anything, let alone AI technology, so I seek out the expertise of thought leaders on the subject. My first inspiration came from the West Vancouver School District's graphic that identified four levels of AI use in education: No AI Permitted, Idea Starter, Feedback Helper, and Work Partner (see image below). Their clear wording provides an effective overview for how teachers can conceptualize AI use in their own classroom. Educational jurisdictions across the world appear to be delineating AI...
Post a Comment
Read more