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Adapting Classrooms to Artificial Intelligence: Psychologists at the Helm
Educators and psychologists can ensure that this technology enhances learning while preserving the human connection at the heart of education by addressing both the opportunities and risks of AI.
Date of writing
January 21, 2025
Time of reading
2 minutes
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to integrate into nearly every aspect of life, education stands at the forefront of this transformation, according to the American Psychological Association. Generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, promise to revolutionize teaching, learning, and assessment, offering opportunities for personalized education while raising new challenges for educators and psychologists alike.
While AI has been used in schools for years—powering platforms like Google Classroom and Turnitin—the recent surge of generative AI tools is transforming how educators and students approach learning. Teenagers are leading this adoption, with 70% of surveyed adolescents using AI for homework help (Common Sense Media, 2024). Half of these students check AI-generated responses against external sources, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the tools’ capabilities and limitations.
However, the growing reliance on generative AI also raises concerns about its impact on social learning and interpersonal relationships. "How are we using AI and technology as tools to elevate the conditions and experiences of education without sacrificing the human connection?" asked Dr. Ally Skoog-Hoffman of CASEL.
Intelligent tutoring systems are becoming increasingly sophisticated, tailoring learning experiences to individual students’ needs. Tools like OATutor can personalize exercises and adapt to teachers’ styles, easing their workload while improving student engagement. Despite their promise, these systems still fall short of human teachers in detecting emotional cues like frustration or anxiety, which are essential for effective instruction.
Dr. Stephen Aguilar of the University of Southern California cautions against the rush to commercialize AI tools without robust evidence of their efficacy. Open-source alternatives like OATutor may offer more equitable and adaptable solutions for schools.
The integration of AI into education also poses ethical dilemmas. AI detection tools, intended to prevent cheating, have flagged legitimate work incorrectly, disproportionately affecting Black students (Common Sense Media, 2024). Moreover, teenagers often turn to generative AI for advice on personal topics, sharing sensitive information with platforms that collect and potentially monetize such data.
Psychologists are uniquely positioned to guide the ethical adoption of AI in education. From understanding how children form relationships with AI to teaching social and emotional learning (SEL) competencies in digital contexts, psychologists are shaping the conversation around responsible AI use. For instance, CASEL and Common Sense Media are collaborating to integrate SEL into AI education, empowering students to navigate the challenges of the digital world.
As Dr. Andrew Martin of the University of New South Wales remarked, “Teachers are facing a room full of people who are very much at the cutting edge of a technology.” By addressing both the opportunities and risks of AI, educators and psychologists can ensure that this technology enhances learning while preserving the human connection at the heart of education.
While AI has been used in schools for years—powering platforms like Google Classroom and Turnitin—the recent surge of generative AI tools is transforming how educators and students approach learning. Teenagers are leading this adoption, with 70% of surveyed adolescents using AI for homework help (Common Sense Media, 2024). Half of these students check AI-generated responses against external sources, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of the tools’ capabilities and limitations.
However, the growing reliance on generative AI also raises concerns about its impact on social learning and interpersonal relationships. "How are we using AI and technology as tools to elevate the conditions and experiences of education without sacrificing the human connection?" asked Dr. Ally Skoog-Hoffman of CASEL.
Intelligent tutoring systems are becoming increasingly sophisticated, tailoring learning experiences to individual students’ needs. Tools like OATutor can personalize exercises and adapt to teachers’ styles, easing their workload while improving student engagement. Despite their promise, these systems still fall short of human teachers in detecting emotional cues like frustration or anxiety, which are essential for effective instruction.
Dr. Stephen Aguilar of the University of Southern California cautions against the rush to commercialize AI tools without robust evidence of their efficacy. Open-source alternatives like OATutor may offer more equitable and adaptable solutions for schools.
The integration of AI into education also poses ethical dilemmas. AI detection tools, intended to prevent cheating, have flagged legitimate work incorrectly, disproportionately affecting Black students (Common Sense Media, 2024). Moreover, teenagers often turn to generative AI for advice on personal topics, sharing sensitive information with platforms that collect and potentially monetize such data.
Psychologists are uniquely positioned to guide the ethical adoption of AI in education. From understanding how children form relationships with AI to teaching social and emotional learning (SEL) competencies in digital contexts, psychologists are shaping the conversation around responsible AI use. For instance, CASEL and Common Sense Media are collaborating to integrate SEL into AI education, empowering students to navigate the challenges of the digital world.
As Dr. Andrew Martin of the University of New South Wales remarked, “Teachers are facing a room full of people who are very much at the cutting edge of a technology.” By addressing both the opportunities and risks of AI, educators and psychologists can ensure that this technology enhances learning while preserving the human connection at the heart of education.