Be Like Christi: Balancing the Challenges and Benefits of AI in Education

As a youngster, I vividly recall the excitement of getting ready for a new school year by covering my books and selecting the perfect stationery. I will never forget the classroom buzzing with the sound of pens scratching against paper as we were all taking notes. I’m certain many of my fellow educators share these same nostalgic memories of a simpler time in education.

However, as technology continues to advance, the traditional pen and book are slowly being replaced by digital devices and tools such as iPads. Adjusting the way we approach teaching and learning can be difficult. The changes are happening so fast that it has become difficult to keep up. I cherish these traditional methods of education, but many seem to forget that they also had their challenges.

I have realized that the best approach for the future is to accept that things always change and I have made it a goal to face the challenges it brings with confidence and use the vast amount of benefits this new era brings.

In this blog, I will address three significant challenges (in no particular order) that I encountered in the classroom concerning digital devices and Artificial Intelligence (AI) and then detail how I tackled them. I recall numerous discussions about the frustration of students playing games, neglecting to take notes, copying work from peers (made easier with the ability to share screenshots or photos), or resorting to AI software like ChatGPT to complete assignments.

Facing the Challenges of AI in Education

Now, I wonder if many teachers (especially those in Thailand) rely solely on outside sources to rectify their struggles. I believe tackling this problem starts in each teacher’s classroom. Setting and enforcing rules using positive reinforcement is key.

I hope some of my methods can prove helpful or, at the very least, inspire you to consider creating your own solutions to tackling these challenges brought on by technological advancement. 

#1 The issue of some students playing games in class. 

Though I specified that these challenges of AI in education aren’t ranked in any specific order, this issue often takes the forefront. It’s a constant struggle, whether I’m explaining new concepts, giving instructions, providing them with worksheets or even giving fun group work activities, there are always some students playing games.

The ultimate solution would be blocking game access on school devices, which is ideal, but unfortunately, many students will still find ways and use their own personal devices, posing a limitation to this approach. School-wide Wi-Fi restrictions are also ineffective because students often connect to private hotspots. So what can you do?

The best advice I can offer you is to establish clear boundaries at the beginning of the academic year. Defining expectations and consequences for non-compliance is essential. Be proactive by moving around the classroom and keeping an eye on how students are using their devices right from the start. By consistently reinforcing your rules from day one, you’ll likely see improvements in their behavior by the third month (at least I did). 

In my SPIM BFITS Program class, I enforce a policy where students must complete their work to the best of their ability, then call me to review their work before earning some leisure time, where I allow them some game time. Allow me to address any concerns: my lesson plans are comprehensive, ensuring that classwork is engaging and leaves little room for distraction. Most students remain focused throughout the class period, driven by the possibility of earning rewards for their diligence.

Some students may take slightly longer to complete work and could get discouraged if they never receive any reward. For this reason, I also incorporate other rewards for outstanding assignments and best attempts (usually some delicious treats). Positive reinforcement remains my preferred method for ensuring a positive and comfortable learning environment without stress.

In cases where other approaches prove ineffective, it becomes necessary to implement consequences for students who continue to disregard classroom rules. These consequences are not severe; in the end, the student still receives a reward for their effort.  If a student has not completed their work, has received 2 warnings, and continues to misuse their device, I temporarily confiscate it and instead instruct them to complete their work on some printouts.

This requires some extra effort from me as the teacher, as I always need to ensure I have all the essential resources readily available in print format. Upon completion of their work, I return the student’s device. I always try to remember that even in my school days, there were students who lacked motivation to complete their work. I empathize by recognizing that their interests likely lie elsewhere (hopefully not solely in gaming).

Essentially, it is important to remember to not only set your own rules but also to stick to them. Don’t fall into the trap of not reinforcing your rules like many other teachers do. At the same time also be understanding and compassionate, many times gaming is an escape for some students who are struggling with something in everyday life. 

#2 The issue of some students copying work from peers.

Since the start of schools, copying has remained a persistent issue. However, in today’s era, this problem has dramatically increased. As a teacher managing around 6 classes totaling 180 students, it is not hard to tell when you are marking assignment number 84, but it feels like you’ve reviewed the same assignment more than twenty times. So, what steps can we take?

As mentioned earlier, I advocate for positive reinforcement. For projects and activities, I consistently offer rewards for the most creative assignment to promote originality. Typically, the reward is some kind of sweet treats, which my students appear to love almost as much as I do. To be honest, I’m not overly strict when it comes to this matter, as I frequently encourage my students to work in groups, which naturally leads to some similarities in their work.

However, the real concern arises when I notice a student consistently resorts to copying without any effort to understand the material. In such cases, I find the most effective approach is to explain to them the importance of independent work and then offer hands-on assistance. Often, I’ve observed that students resort to copying simply because they struggle to grasp the concepts and require that additional guidance.

Dealing with such issues solely through positive reinforcement can be challenging. However, even when rules are enforced more strictly, it’s still possible to provide positive rewards once students demonstrate progress. My approach to this problem typically involves giving offenders the option to either redo the assignment or receive 50% of their grade.

Unfortunately, students who share their work with others also need to be addressed. I usually issue them a separate warning, explaining that if it happens again, they will receive the same consequences. If neither party confesses to sharing work, regrettably, both receive the consequence.

In one instance, a student required repeated warnings. Instead of following the same method, I decided to attempt a new approach. I assigned the students a new task related to the same topic, which I believed they might have responded better to. Surprisingly, the student put in genuine effort and, as a result, earned praiseworthy marks and a sweet treat as a reward.

I find the approach to solving any issue complex because there are many different reasons why students do the things they do. It is important to be realistic and remember that there was a time when you copied some work, too. I certainly did.

#3 The issue of using AI software like ChatGPT to complete assignments.

In addition to copying from other students, students are now increasingly turning to AI to complete their assignments for them. They simply copy the question, paste it into AI software, and then incorporate the AI’s answer into their assignment. Those who resort to this method often don’t even read the response or bother to adjust the formatting.

Since English isn’t my students’ first language, it’s quite obvious when they submit work containing words beyond their vocabulary level. If they choose to be so lazy, they’re inevitably going to be caught. So, what actions can be taken in such cases?

My approach to this issue is always to address it directly. Allowing students to submit such work without comment only reinforces their comfort in doing so and undermines the value of genuine effort.

Therefore, I made it a point to take the student aside and explain that I could not accept their submission, asking them to redo the assignment. The benefit of this approach is that the student knows I am attentive to such matters; they understand that they won’t get away with it again, at least not for that particular assignment.

If I suspect that a student resorted to using AI because the task was too challenging for them, I make minor adjustments to simplify it. As a teacher, I believe it’s crucial to identify areas where students lack confidence. If tasks consistently prove too difficult, it can lead to a loss of motivation. Therefore, I ensure that all my assignments are set at varying difficulty levels to keep as many students engaged as possible.

Final Thoughts: AI’s Educational Impact

That concludes this blog post, and if you’ve made it to the end, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to you for being among the amazing teachers, especially those teaching in Thailand, who genuinely seek to empower and prepare your students for the future.

As a BFITS Teacher in Thailand, I often reflect on the lasting impact I’ve had and ponder how I could have made even greater differences. It took me some time to discover the methods that truly benefit students and help them thrive. I want to encourage you not only to focus on the academic aspect of schooling but also on building your students’ confidence.

Ultimately, the use of AI itself is not the issue, but relying on AI solely because it can outperform you is indeed problematic. Let’s foster resilient individuals ready to face the challenges of tomorrow.