Why AI is Your Best Classroom Aide: Understanding AI’s Role in Education
Big Idea: AI as Your Classroom Aide
AI can help you save time, boost creativity, and make a bigger impact in your classroom. But to use it well, you first need to think about it well. The best way to understand AI’s strengths and limitations is to consider it as an aide—eager to assist, yet requiring your direction.
Getting the Right Metaphor
Traditional dictionary definitions of AI may fall short in helping us understand how to use it in the classroom. That’s why metaphors can be incredibly useful—they offer an operational definition that sets you up for wise use.
Let’s think of some popular metaphors for AI.
1. AI as a Copilot
Co means joint or mutual.
To pilot is to guide or steer.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want AI steering my class.
When it comes to your class, you’re the pilot.
You have context, content, and knowledge that an AI simply can’t have.
Copilot is a bad metaphor because the teacher should always remain in control and act in an executive role over the AI.
2. AI as Magic
There is a popular AI tool called Magic School AI.
For me, the metaphor of AI as Magic fails at the first hurdle
A metaphor is meant to simplify a complex concept - but this metaphor just leads teachers down the garden path.
Magic is shrouded in mystery and secrecy.
Magic is a spiritual force beyond human control.
AI is none of these things.
AI is knowable, explainable, predictable, and beautifully limited.
When AI works for us, we’re not calling forth lore from the void - it’s more human and less mysterious than that.
3. AI as an Aide
My favourite metaphor for AI is that of an aide—an eager, studious, yet over-confident aide.
Ethan Mollick, professor, visionary, and author of Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI said it well; I’ve included his tweet below:
The AI as an aide metaphor is effective because it:
Keeps you as the decision-maker.
Highlights the limitations of the technology.
Allows you to outsource busywork while maintaining creative control.
Affirms your role as the professional who has the final say over all resources AI produces.
Using AI Well Starts with Thinking About AI Well
If you view AI as your aide, you’ll start your AI journey on the right foot. This perspective empowers you to use AI to enhance your teaching while ensuring you stay in control.
Further Thinking
Can you think of other metaphors that might help people understand AI’s role in education? How might viewing AI as an aide change the way you use technology in your teaching?
Give MyTeacherAide a Try
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You’ve got nothing to lose and a whole lot to gain.
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Happy Teaching!
Paul Matthews, CEO & Co-Founder of MyTeacherAide
