Artificial Intelligence is aiding natural intelligence at the Dartmouth public schools

The Dartmouth High School has begun to integrate artificial intelligence into their education. While this has not been established district wide, the high school has rolled out their usage practices and guidelines. 

The main goal is to create AI literacy. According to Jessica Brittingham, an English teacher at the high school, research shows AI literacy is in the top three necessary skills for students to graduate with.

“We’re still going to expose all students to AI literacy as they need the skills, this isn’t a technology that’s going away,” said Brittingham. “We’re not putting toothpaste back in a tube, it’s just going to continue to grow and develop.”

The school administration also feels that this is a matter of equity. With other schools integrating AI, they wanted to ensure students were prepared for college or a career. They also feel strongly that it can help manage executive dysfunction and students with issues learning, according to Brittingham. 

“It all comes from a place of compassion for students, and that’s what it comes down to,” said High School Principal Ryan Shea, “What’s best for them, in the very short term or the very long term.”

The schools are using Google Gemini, which school officials state has data protection that complies with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, and data protection agreements regulations. This means that the AI should not be collecting data on students in any capacity. 

Gemini does not directly create answers for students, instead using a socratic method to converse with the students to come to their own conclusions. 

The school has created four tiered levels of AI use, from zero (no AI usage) to four (completely generated by AI.) The administration is hoping that students stay between levels one and three. Every assignment will have instructions on what level of AI use students can use. 

Brittingham emphasized that AI use won’t negatively affect student’s critical thinking, as they have to figure out exactly what to tell AI to get a good response. This includes trying to prompt AI to answer without bias, fact-checking with three sources to understand if the answer received is correct and when to use it or not. 

However, AI is not mistake-proof. When used to  grade MCAS tests, 1,400 tests came back incorrectly graded. It can also misrepresent information or create sources and information that doesn’t exist.

Some of the ways that students are being encouraged to use AI is through peer editing, turning notes into study materials and research. Teachers are encouraged to use it to create lesson plans, make certain assignments harder or easier for students, and give student feedback. However, teachers need to review the material alongside AI. 

One example is that students will write on-demand in class based on knowledge learned in the classroom and then use AI to proofread their writing. 

One concern raised is AI being used to create art, as there are plans to use AI in art classes. The only class that disallows it is AP Art Studio.

Regardless of how much AI they use, both students and teachers need to be upfront and honest about using AI, according to school officials. If students claim a completely AI generated piece as their own work, it will still count as plagiarism.

There are many concerns surrounding AI usage, including the large negative environmental impact, biases, artistic creativity and social isolation. The administration feels that the necessity of AI outweighs these negatives, as Brittingham said, “AI is not going anywhere.” 

Concerning social isolation and mental health, the social workers at school will be made aware of potential mental health risks and figure out how to handle them. 

The staff does use AI in their personal lives; Shea used it to make his son’s birthday invitations and for recipes. Brittingham uses it for vacation planning and managing her daughter's executive dysfunction. Assistant Principal Stephanie Santos also uses it for vacation planning and making memes to send to her friends. 

For those overusing it, school officials will have a conversation with the student around how to use AI positively. 

If any students or staff don’t want to use AI, Brittingham will sit down with them and explain how necessary the school feels it is to the world today.  

“All feelings about AI are totally valid; if you’re joyful and excited, great. If you’re fearful and anxious, totally fine. If you’re in the middle and you’re like ‘I don’t have time to learn one more thing, I’m totally overwhelmed’ that’s fine too” said Brittingham, “But we’re still going to expose all students to AI literacy because they need the skills.”