In the evolving educational landscape, Dr. Dan Sarofian-Butin, a professor at Merrimack College, advocates for integrating AI tools into the classroom to enhance student learning, as highlighted in eSchool News. He argues that instead of viewing AI as an adversary, educators should harness its potential to support and guide students.

Dr. Sarofian-Butin challenges the prevalent narrative that AI is merely a tool for academic dishonesty. Reflecting on his students' experiences, he notes, “In high school, I stayed far away from the tool because it was emphasized to me as a way of cheating rather than a study tool.” However, he believes AI, when used correctly, can serve as a personalized tutor, providing essential support in brainstorming, outlining, and refining arguments. “It is the ideal scaffolding for all those students who are stuck,” he asserts, emphasizing the importance of teaching students to use AI effectively.

Dr. Sarofian-Butin introduces a typology for AI use in education, highlighting four levels of interaction:

1. Cognitive Autonomy: No AI involvement, where students work independently.
2. Minor AI-Assisted Support: Students use AI for scaffolding tasks like brainstorming and feedback.
3. Major AI-Assisted Support: AI acts as a cognitive mentor, modeling expert thinking through outlining and thesis generation.
4. Cognitive Outsourcing: Full reliance on AI, where it completes assignments independently.

By focusing on the middle ground, he encourages educators to use AI as a scaffolding tool or apprenticeship guide.

Dr. Sarofian-Butin shares practical examples of AI prompts designed to aid students:

• Brainstorming: “I didn’t really know where to start, and ChatGPT helped me think about questions,” one student noted, leading to more focused planning.
• Thesis Generation: AI assists in developing thesis statements and outlines, making complex topics more accessible. A student remarked, “It asked me questions that made me think a lot about my topic and consider different things I wouldn’t have thought of on my own.”

These prompts help students navigate challenging topics, such as poverty, race, and ethics, while fostering critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

In addition to academic skills, Dr. Sarofian-Butin emphasizes the role of AI in developing media literacy. Students learn to critically evaluate AI-generated outputs, distinguishing between useful insights and misleading information.

Dr. Sarofian-Butin acknowledges the uncertainties surrounding AI's future in education but remains optimistic. “We must all learn how to embrace our enemies,” he advises, urging educators to integrate AI as an ally in learning. One student aptly summarized this shift in perspective: “I feel confident that the work I complete with ChatGPT will not get me into trouble, because I know how to use it as an assistant rather than a replacement.”

As education continues to evolve, embracing AI offers an opportunity to unlock student creativity, curiosity, and critical thinking—transforming it from a perceived threat into a valuable partner in learning.