3 Common Mistakes Teachers Make with AI in Education and How to Avoid Them

In the rapidly evolving world of AI in education, it's easy for educators to feel overwhelmed. Over the past year, as I've engaged with AI tools and their application in teaching, I've identified common pitfalls that educators often encounter.

Let's delve into these traps and learn how to navigate them effectively.

1. Avoiding the ‘Guess What’s in My Head’ Trap

The Clarity in Instructions

As an educator, you know the importance of giving clear instructions.

Early in my first year of teaching, I asked a grade 9 class to write a summary of the way children were treated during the Industrial Revolution.

Ten minutes later, some students had written three dot points, and others were halfway to writing a period drama.

You see, while I had a good idea of what I wanted I hadn’t made this clear to the students. I had given them a vague instruction, and I got all manor of answers as a result.

It’s easy to do the same thing with AI.

We can use vague, generic, prompts, and be frustrated when we get vague, generic answers.

Let me give you an example:

Vague prompt: Write a lesson plan on the lives of children in the IndustrialRevolution

Clear prompt: Act as an expert year 9 History teacher. Design a lesson on the experiences of children during the Industrial Revolution. Design the lesson according to the 5E model (Engage, Explore, Explain, Elaborate, and Evaluate). Design an assessment - total duration of 15 minutes - that requires students to write a diary entry from the perspective of a child working in a coal mine.

As you can see, in the clear prompt, I get my expectations out of my head and onto the page.

Key Takeaway: AI excels when given clear, detailed instructions, not when it has to guess your intentions.

2. Beyond a Search Engine

Understanding AI’s Limitations

AI is not just an advanced search engine. It's crucial to be aware of its tendency to 'hallucinate' or generate incorrect information. For instance, Galactica, an LLM AI by Meta, has shown this limitation clearly. Always verify facts or data obtained from AI.

A few weeks ago I was having a coffee with a local business man.

“ChatGPT is really just a search on steroids, isn’t it?” he asked.

Yes and no. Mostly no.

There are many reasons you wouldn’t use Large Language Model (LLM) AI this way, but the main reason comes down to one word: hallucination.

LLM AI just makes stuff up sometimes. The technical term for this is hallucination. This has to be my favourite hallucination of all time:

Meta (formerly Facebook) gave the following warning on its LLM, Galactica. It gives a good account of the shortcomings of LLM AI:

Long story short, get a second opinion on any facts or data you get from AI.

Key Takeaway: Use AI as a tool for generating ideas and content, but always cross-check for accuracy.

3. Overcoming the Fear of Feeling Dumb (FoFD)

Embracing a Growth Mindset with AI

You’ve probably heard it from your students a thousand times:

“I’m just not a maths person”

“I’m just not a good writer”

“I’m just not a science person”

Anyone who has sat through even a minute of growth mindset professional development can diagnose this as a fixed mindset; viewing your intelligence or character attributes as fixed and static.

We encourage these students by reminding them that anyone can get better at anything, and their effort will be rewarded with progress.

It’s so easy to encourage our students to adopt a growth mindset, but when we are faced with the challenges of life in an AI world, we say

“I’m just not a tech person”

“I’m just not good with computers”

“I’ve never been an early adopter”

We can so easily model the same mindset that we rebuke in our students.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to be come a tech guru or an AI enthusiast. But a little bit of knowledge will go a long way, and it’s worth rolling up your sleeves and having a play with AI. Have some fun with it. It’s the best way to learn.

Key Takeaway: Approach AI with curiosity and openness, mirroring the growth mindset we encourage in our students.

Q&A Section: Addressing Common AI & Education Queries

How Can AI Enhance Personalised Learning in Classrooms?

AI can tailor learning experiences to individual student needs, offering customised resources and activities.

Is AI in Education Secure and Privacy-Compliant?

Reputable AI tools are designed with privacy and security in mind, ensuring student data is protected.

Can AI Replace Teachers?

No, AI is a tool to augment teachers' capabilities, not replace them. It enhances the teaching experience, making it more efficient and impactful.

How Does AI Impact Student Engagement?

AI can create more interactive and engaging learning materials, holding students' interest and catering to various learning styles.

What Are the First Steps for Teachers New to AI?

Start with basic tools like MyTeacherAide, explore its features, and gradually integrate more AI functionalities into your teaching.