Artificial Intelligence in Parkway

Integrating AI into the Learning Experience

In Parkway, we strive to create learning environments that not only impart knowledge but also prepare our students for the ever-changing world. In that vein, Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force and is reshaping industries, economies, and our daily lives. We have a responsibility to ensure that our instructional practices reflect these changes, equipping students with the skills and competencies they need to thrive in a future where AI is an integral part of their personal and professional lives.

At its core, the purpose of education is to nurture critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and collaboration—skills that remain essential regardless of technological advancements. As we move forward, AI should not be seen as a replacement for human teachers or a threat to traditional educational practices, but rather as a tool that enhances learning and empowers both students and educators. By leveraging AI, we can create more personalized, effective, and meaningful learning experiences while preparing students for their futures.

We recognize that, while AI is not new, its impact is being felt in new ways and, while AI offers tremendous benefits, it is essential to maintain a balance between technology and human interactions in education. In our classrooms, AI cannot replicate the emotional intelligence, empathy, and mentorship that teachers provide. Instead, AI should be viewed as a support system, enhancing teachers' ability to reach students more effectively. Through this, educators must guide students in navigating AI responsibly, understanding its limitations, and critically evaluating the information it provides.

Moreover, we must be vigilant about ensuring that AI is used ethically and transparently in schools. Issues such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, and equitable access to technology will continue to guide our work in support of the Parkway Instructional Technology Commitments.

Ethical Considerations and Digital Citizenship

As AI becomes more embedded in education, we strive to prepare students to be ethical digital citizens and to be able to navigate the unique ethical challenges that AI presents, from privacy concerns to questions of fairness and accountability. We will help students to understand the potential biases in AI systems and the importance of data privacy as they use the wide variety of tools that are available.

One fundamental element of ethical AI use is data privacy. All Parkway staff are responsible for protecting the privacy and security of our students by ensuring that student data and privacy best practices are adhered to. This includes not sharing any personal identifiable information through generative prompts or analysis of student progress.

We also must recognize that transparency in the different AI systems that we use is critical. These models should be open and easily understood and the organizations that provide these tools include clear documentation about how the data that is provided by teachers and students is used.

As AI advances and computer interactions become more human-like, we are dedicated to equipping students and teachers with the knowledge to navigate this evolving landscape safely and effectively. Specific initiatives include integrating AI literacy into the curriculum, offering professional development for educators, and fostering partnerships with universities and tech companies to stay abreast of the latest AI advancements. The focus remains on amplifying human capabilities rather than replacing them, ensuring that our educational community is well-prepared for the future of AI.

A Vision for the Future

The integration of AI into Parkway classrooms is not just about adopting new tools; it’s about reimagining the way we teach and learn. As we envision a future where AI can complement traditional teaching methods, there is great potential to help to create more engaging, personalized, and inclusive learning experiences. By cautiously embracing AI as an integral part of the learning experience, we can prepare our students for the challenges and opportunities of the digital world, equipping them with the skills and mindset they need to succeed.

Academic Integrity and Artificial Intelligence

Academic integrity is demonstrated by students when the ideas and the works of others are properly cited and respect for the learning process is maintained. In an era of artificial intelligence (AI), the lines around what is acceptable may be blurred. The following guidelines will help provide direction when using AI in schools.

• Students are responsible for their own work. This means the use of an AI tool to generate a response to an assignment and claim it as their own is considered plagiarism.

Artificial intelligence, when used responsibly and appropriately, can play a role in the learning process. There will be a wider range of learning resources available to students as technology advances. When using these resources, it’s important that students maintain credibility and honesty in their work. 

• Students should cite all sources that they use, including AI-generated sources. This includes giving credit to the AI program or algorithm that generated the source, as well as any other sources that were used in the creation of the work.
• Students should be transparent about their use of AI in their work. This means that students should identify any AI-generated content used in their work, and they should explain how it was used.
• Students should be aware of the potential for AI to be used to cheat or plagiarize. If a student is unsure whether their use of AI is fair and honest, they should ask their teacher for guidance.

By following these guidelines, students can help to create a fair and honest learning environment in the age of artificial intelligence.

Readings, Research and Resources

Advances in the field of artificial intelligence are occurring at a rapid pace and much is written about its role in education. The resources listed below offer a sample of some thoughts, tools, and research around AI and will be updated over time.