When Dr. Carolina Gutierrez's physics students used artificial intelligence to solve a problem, something unexpected happened. The answer was wrong. But rather than causing frustration, those mistakes caused the kind of learning teachers expected. students started asking questions whytailor prompts, and develop critical thinking skills that go beyond computational precision.
This is the kind of AI integration that educators want. It's not a shortcut, it's a tool that deepens learning and engages students in authentic problem solving. As AI becomes more commonplace in the classroom, teachers are moving beyond curiosity and caution to asking practical questions. “How can we use these tools responsibly?” How can we ensure equity? How can we ensure that all students benefit?
“We are going beyond AI to drive efficiency,” explained Jessica Garner, senior director of innovative learning at ISTE+ASCD. “That’s a great place to start, but we’re focused on how AI can help enable what education should be for students and transform the learning experience.” Garner leads GenerationAI’s Community of Practice. In this community, educators come together in year-long groups to explore common practice issues related to AI. “We intentionally include educators from a variety of roles, geographies, and backgrounds, including district leaders, administrators, classroom teachers, skeptics, novices, and experts,” she said. “Through virtual and in-person meetings, participants will learn, test ideas, and support each other as they consider how AI can responsibly enhance teaching and learning in their own contexts.”
EdSurge host Carl Hooker recently moderated a webinar that brought together members of these communities to share practical solutions for bringing AI to K-12 classrooms. The panel also included Mr. Garner. Dr. Craig Perrier is a high school social studies specialist in Virginia who uses AI to support new standards of learning and universal design. Hannah Davis Ketteman, a digital learning coach in Texas, works with a group of teachers to incorporate AI into assignments and assessments. Gutierrez, a high school science teacher in Houston, supports emerging bilingual students in his AI-guided classes.
Together, they discussed strategies to increase student confidence, scaffold learning, and ensure all students benefit from innovation.
EdSurge: How do you help teachers who are hesitant to use AI?
Davis Kettman: A big part of my job as a digital learning coach is teaching teachers how to use these tools. The scope of AI literacy among teachers is astounding. Empowering teachers will ultimately enable students to read and write AI.
Scaffolding was really important. There are mixed opinions about tools like MagicSchool and SchoolAI. [simplified platforms with pre-built templates] It's a great entry point for teachers who feel uncomfortable or unsure of the prompts. If you can give them small wins using tools that feel relevant and practical, they can build confidence and eventually move on to larger language models. If you start with small wins, it will be easier to scale them up.
Watch the full “Discovering Practical Solutions for AI Implementation” webinar on demand now.
What is at the heart of your work regarding issues of practice?
Perrier: For me, it's personalization and adaptive learning. In Virginia, students often earn verified credits toward graduation through performance assessments embedded in curriculum based on an inquiry design model.
The challenge is that materials are not always available. For example, the main sources for research on the Crusades included addresses given in Middle English by Pope Urban. No third-year junior high school student would be able to read this effectively. So we started using tools like MagicSchool and ChatGPT to revise text and summarize articles for the appropriate reading level. The practical question was how AI could be used to support new standards and symbolize universal design for learning.
This year, we expanded that approach to podcasts and infographics. I used NotebookLM to create the podcast. But then I was surprised at how difficult it was to find AI-based infographic makers. If you say “generate an infographic about the causes of the Civil War,” the image might look like World War II or the background language might be nonsense. It didn't quite match what we needed. We ended up at Napkin AI through our GenerationAI cohort connections.
Teachers can now provide a menu of accessible resources to help all students participate meaningfully. My mindset changed from “My students can't do this'' to “My students absolutely can.''
Gutierrez: For me, it's all about critical thinking and problem solving, especially in AP Biology. Students move from explaining parts to asking, “What happens if I change this?”
We use gizmos to help students interpret symptoms as if they were a veterinarian or doctor. Combine this with guided work that uses AI to generate prompts. For example, when a physics student used AI to solve a problem, the answer was sometimes wrong. This allowed them to ask why, learn how to adjust prompts and parameters, and develop real critical thinking skills.
Practical work makes this even more obvious. Using an AI-generated guide, students followed a step-by-step protocol for the minilab. By breaking down complex tasks into small, manageable steps, students, especially those just beginning their bilingual journey, were able to work with confidence. They started getting involved, understanding and continuing to invest. A quiet student demonstrated leadership.
As students learned how to ask better questions, use prompts effectively, and think critically, they were able to take control of their own learning.
Davis Kettman: Critical thinking and problem solving are at the heart of my job. Many teachers wonder how to navigate a more boxed curriculum while still maintaining autonomy. We've been talking about evaluating the output of AI and adapting it to our classes.
One of the teachers I work with teaches math models to older students. She re-created a budget project where students research jobs, find salaries, and create a budget. This time, students begin by defining what “affordable” means. Then draw in random life changes, like a new roommate or a sick relative, and adjust your budget. Finally, they present and redefine affordability as a group.
The recognition this project has received from both teachers and students is amazing. We also focus on things other than calculations for students who are not good at math. They analyze what the output means in context. It was amazing to watch those light bulbs go off.
What advice would you give to educators considering implementing AI?
Gutierrez: First, keep an open mind about the tools you use, what you learn, and whose perspective you approach the work from. Are you thinking about the student experience or are you using it to enhance your lessons?
Learn how to pivot when challenges arise. Don't give up at the first obstacle. AI is a valuable tool and is becoming a part of our classrooms in the same way that we have adapted to computers. If we responsibly guide our students, they will be able to proceed safely.
Davis Kettman: I have two pieces of advice. First, start where you are. AI may seem intimidating, but tools like ChatGPT are still new. Find one small task (like organizing your slides) and try it.
Second, just do it. Opportunities will come when you put yourself out there. Sign up for webinars and presentations that interest you. Don't get bogged down in self-doubt. Find friends, network, and get involved.
Perrier: This falls under self-awareness. We need to be comfortable knowing that we won't be able to keep up with everything AI has to offer. Some people feel like they need to know first and use first, but I take comfort in knowing that I can't do it all.
Stay connected. Find your community, like the one led by Jessica. When you're connected, you're expanding your possibilities instead of always chasing them.
Garner: This makes my heart happy. The way they're working with AI is exactly what we want to see.
Through GenerationAI, ISTE+ASCD and six collaborative partners are bringing together a diverse group of educators to explore the impact of generative AI on education, giving them time and space to consider using generative AI in safe and responsible ways. Join the movement at https://generationai.org and join us in our continued exploration of how we can harness the potential of AI to create more engaging, equitable, and transformative learning experiences for all students. Sign up here.
