How to integrate Artificial Intelligence as an Educational Resource 

Although AI is finding its place as a teaching and learning support tool in the form of automating work such as the preparation of summaries, the generation of writings, and the provision of feedback, its usage evokes multi-faceted questions relating to its appropriateness. As a reference of ethical AI use as a learning tool, I looked through the lens of the International Baccalaureate (IB) guidance document, "Evaluating 13 Scenarios of Artificial Intelligence in Student Coursework".

1. AI as a Tool for Learning Support

The guide paper by IB lays out a variety of practical case examples where the students utilise AI to assist them in course work.

They are based upon two principles:

• Did the student employ AI to help them study? If they did, then it is acceptable.
• Did the student use AI to pretend that they did something that they did not? Then this is not acceptable.

The paper also classifies the use of AI as acceptable, not acceptable, and acceptable with caution. Allowing students to use AI to prepare a summary of a passage and then critically read the material to prepare the students’ own work, is acceptable, as long as the contribution made by AI is noted. This type of practice fosters learning, while upholding academic integrity.

Teachers and parents should instruct students to view AI as a thinking companion; an aid towards understanding, not a shortcut towards responses. If managed wisely, AI can help students access different views, explore new types of rationality, and deepen their ability to comprehend.

2. Academic Integrity and Critical Evaluation

In the classroom, students will be required to identify the role played by AI, and learn how to critically evaluate AI-generated work. This is especially true in an age where language model-generated work can be convincing but false, biased, or simplistic.

3. Three Ways in which AI can “ethically” assist learners

3.1      Indexed learning support

Computer programs can identify the weak areas for your child and suggest practice and revision strategies with which they can cope. Indexed learning ensures that learners don’t waste time on concepts they’ve already mastered and instead focus on areas needing attention.

Example: A Grade 7 learner struggling with fractions might be given interactive quizzes and video explanations focused only on fraction operations, before moving on to decimals.

AI can also adjust the difficulty of questions based on learner responses.

Example: In Social Sciences, if a Grade 7 learner answers questions on the transatlantic slave trade correctly, more analytical questions, such as evaluating the long-term consequences of the slave trade, may be suggested.

3.2      Aiding Second Language students

For students who have not yet mastered English (or any other second language), AI can help with spelling, vocabulary and grammar—judgment free.

3.3    Real-time feedback for better understanding

Whether it is mathematics steps or sentence structure, AI can show learners what they got correct and where they have made mistakes, and help them to learn from their mistakes.

Example:

Angelo paints 75 sq metres  of the wall in 3 hours. How many square metres will he paint in 5 hours? 

Learner's Answer:

75 sq metres divided by 5 = 15 sq metres

15 sq metres x 3 = 45 sq metres

If the question is copied into ChatGPT, the following answer is produced:

 "These steps are incorrect - the order and logic don't match the question."

Correct steps:

Step 1: How much does Angelo paint per hour?

75 sq metres divided by 3 = 25 sq metres/ hour

Step 2: How much does Angelo paint in 5 hours?

25 sq metres x 5 = 125 sq metres

3.4      Support for different learning needs

From reading aloud to breaking down big concepts into bite-sized explanations, AI can make learning more accessible for all children.

3.5    Assisting with revision and generating ideas

AI can help summarise notes, explain tough topics in simpler terms, or suggest ideas when your child hits a creative block.

Example: Photosynthesis diagram generated by ChatGPT:

        Sunlight

           ☀️

            ↓

    CO₂ from air     H₂O from roots

       (leaves)         (soil)

           ↓              ↑

        [Leaf]——Chloroplast——> C₆H₁₂O₆ (glucose)

                     ↓

                  O₂ (oxygen) released into air

Conclusion:

AI introduces a multitude of possibilities for enhancing education, but its place in the classroom must be managed with caution. Teachers, parents and students must blend innovation with accountability to ensure that AI is a resource for empowerment and inclusion, and not exclusion. With the continued expansion of AI, our teaching methods and moral framework should also adapt in such a way that equity, understanding and academic integrity stay at the centre of teaching practices. It’s important to remember that AI is not the enemy. In fact, it offers many benefits both in the classroom and in our daily lives. The key lies in using it responsibly.

Bibliography:

International Baccalaureate Organisation. (2023). Evaluating 13 Scenarios of Artificial Intelligence in Student Coursework. Retrieved from https://media.vsb.bc.ca/media/Default/frf/103/IB%20Evaluating%20AI%20Scenarios.pdf

Edutopia (2025). E. Rankin. How to Avoid 5 Common AI Pitfalls. Retrieved from https://www.edutopia.org/article/avoiding-pitfalls-ai-use-schools?utm_content=linkpos8&utm_campaign=weekly-2025-07-02&utm_medium=email&utm_source=edu-newsletter