Every teacher’s worst nightmare is when students are suddenly handing in perfect papers with impeccable grammar and language use — and it’s clear that they didn’t write them. Decades ago, it was easy to identify students’ plagiarism, but a mere internet search can no longer detect the source of certain plagiarized writing. Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, are poised to revolutionize the education landscape, presenting challenges and opportunities for educators.
The discussion surrounding the integration of generative AI in education encompasses various perspectives, exploring the potential impacts on curriculum and instruction (C&I). Specialists in C&I, like graduates of the Northern Kentucky University (NKU) online Master of Arts in Education (M.A.Ed.) – Teacher as Leader in C&I program, must understand the implications of these and other technologies in their professional futures. Much is said about the negatives, but generative AI is here to stay — and now is the time for C&I leaders to get ahead of the curve.
The Potential Roles of Generative AI in Curriculum Planning
One of the most significant impacts of generative AI on education lies in its ability to streamline curriculum planning. According to Teach for America, C&I leaders can leverage AI tools to automate time-consuming tasks, such as “creat[ing] class outlines, rubrics, and exit slips, generat[ing] ideas for classroom activities, and even updat[ing] curricula based on the latest breakthroughs in their field,” allowing for more efficient planning processes.
Adapting to evolving educational trends and tailoring content to meet the specific needs of diverse student populations is a major benefit of this technology. This adaptability is crucial in ensuring curricula remain current, inclusive and aligned with educational standards.
Another interesting aspect is the possibility of empowering students to seek their own knowledge. As mentioned by Teach for America, “Young people have a new opportunity to leverage AI tools to drive their own learning, both on assigned topics and their own curiosities and passions. Some teachers believe that AI can shift students away from teacher-constructed prompts to more in-class time for inquiry, community building, and teacher coaching.”
The AI-enhanced Learning Environment
Creating an AI-enhanced learning environment is another avenue through which generative AI can transform education. By incorporating AI tools into classrooms, educators can provide students with personalized learning experiences tailored to their individual needs and learning styles. AI can also assist in the real-time assessment of student progress, allowing teachers to adapt their instruction accordingly.
One of the many ways teachers are taking advantage of this technology is by recording their lessons, using a tool to transcribe them and (with the help of AI tools such as TeachFX) analyzing many aspects of their teaching style. These are the so-called “AI coaches,” and they can guide educators of all levels toward better, more inclusive teaching.
Stephen Noonoo from Edutopia states that such tools present “findings conversationally, pointing out strengths and weaknesses the way ChatGPT might. …[An AI tool] could highlight extended periods of direct instruction and pose reflective questions, such as: ‘Do these stretches of teacher talk support checks for understanding, progress monitoring, or deepening of student learning?'”
Improving Instructional Coaching and Teacher Performance
By analyzing vast amounts of instructional data, these tools can provide valuable insights into teaching methods, identifying areas for improvement and suggesting personalized professional development strategies. Incorporating AI-driven feedback into the coaching process allows educators to receive timely and data-driven insights, fostering continuous improvement.
According to Alina Tugend for FutureEd, AI may not always have the solution but can offer “thought-provoking questions,” as teacher Tabea Peske discovered. “For example, [Peske] was asked to rate herself, and in some of the lower-rated areas the AI program suggested taking steps to improve,” Tugend writes.
As generative AI tools like ChatGPT become integral to the educational landscape, educators must approach the integration of generative AI with thoughtful consideration, ensuring that these tools align with educational goals, promote inclusivity and empower both teachers and students.
NKU’s online M.A.Ed. Teacher as Leader – C&I program encourages students to “integrate new technology and teaching strategies into the classroom.” Embracing the transformative potential of generative AI in education will undoubtedly shape the future of curriculum and instruction, offering new avenues for innovation and improvement.
Learn more about NKU’s online Master of Arts in Education – Teacher as Leader in Curriculum & Instruction program.
