Empowering Students through AI: A New Era in Education at DSST: College View High School

Innovative Learning in Civics Class

DENVER — In Zach Kennelly’s senior civics class, students are diving into the world of artificial intelligence by building custom chatbots. Using their creativity and technical skills, they’re exploring various applications that extend beyond simple academic exercises.

Real-World Applications

One student is creating a chatbot designed to curate personalized movie and television show recommendations based on a viewer’s recent watch history. This innovative project highlights how AI can enhance the entertainment experience.

Another student, embodying a playful irony, is developing a chatbot that helps her fellow Gen Z peers practice essential communication skills by suggesting conversation starters. Such projects reflect the unique needs and interests of the current generation.

Addressing Broader Challenges

According to Kennelly’s co-teacher, Gianna Geraffo, other students are generating ideas for chatbots aimed at supporting mental health, improving financial literacy, and providing resources for immigrants. These projects demonstrate the potential of AI to address significant societal challenges.

From Concepts to Reality

As the semester progresses, students will refine their ideas, eventually selecting one project to develop into a fully functional app. This hands-on approach empowers students to take ownership of their learning and apply AI in meaningful ways.

Building on Past Success

This initiative mirrors the success of Kennelly and Geraffo’s previous semester, during which students launched VoteWise Colorado. The app effectively helps users register to vote and understand the various candidates and measures on the ballot.

“Pretty early on, we thought it was going to be a massive failure,” reflects Kennelly regarding last semester’s project. “But it became a huge hit. Students were thrilled to work on it.”

Understanding AI’s Role

The class project exemplifies an ongoing effort to help students comprehend and leverage AI in practical, everyday contexts. “It’s not AI-driven at all. It’s AI-leveraged,” Kennelly clarifies, noting the initiative is fueled by student passion and expertise.

Collaborative Exploration of AI in Education

Kennelly and Geraffo are part of a dedicated team at DSST: College View High School participating in the School Teams AI Collaborative. This transformative pilot initiative involves over 80 educators from 19 public and charter schools across the country, all experimenting with AI-enabled instruction to enhance teaching and learning.

Leading the Charge in AI Adoption

The collaborative’s goal is to bring together early adopters of AI in education to share ideas, best practices, and ultimately lead the conversation on utilizing emerging technology effectively in classrooms.

Advancing Instruction Responsibly

The initiative, co-led by two national nonprofits, Leading Educators and The Learning Accelerator, launched with an inspiring gathering of school teams in Denver. Jin-Soo Huh, a partner at The Learning Accelerator, emphasizes a focus on “advancing instruction” rather than promoting AI unconditionally.

Rethinking Teaching with AI

Huh observes an increasing demand among educators for AI integration in lesson planning and student feedback. “We know this technology is coming,” he says, pointing out the urgency for teachers to adapt and innovate.

Empowering Educators Through Collaboration

Since the kickoff, participants have engaged in virtual discussions about their projects, shared valuable insights, and exchanged excitement about AI’s impact on learning. Traci Griffith, executive director of Eliot K-8 Innovation School in Boston, highlights the invigorating nature of cross-school collaboration.

Harnessing AI for Effective Feedback

Griffith’s team utilizes Claude, developed by Anthropic, to provide structured feedback on writing assignments, showcasing a practical application of AI in the classroom. However, she notes that navigating AI’s parameters is critical for success.

An Inclusive Approach to Technology

Magiera, senior director at Leading Educators, emphasizes the initiative’s inclusive philosophy, being “intentionally platform-agnostic.” This encourages educators to adopt AI tools based on their unique needs rather than pushing a specific platform.

Student Perspectives on AI

This semester, students in Kennelly’s class express mixed feelings about AI. “They’re all over the board,” Kennelly admits, acknowledging their fears, excitement, and confusion. However, the transformative journey has just begun.

Empowering Future Innovators

Geraffo notes a significant shift in student perspectives from previous terms, evolving from “I am someone AI happens to,” to “I am someone who drives AI.” This mindset change empowers students to take control of their interactions with technology.

Preparing for a Digital Future

Kennelly emphasizes the importance of understanding AI, stating, “People who don’t understand this technology are the ones most likely to be exploited by it.” Educating students about AI prepares them for the increasingly digital landscape of the future.

A Pragmatic Vision for AI in Education

The collaborative acknowledges the need for a pragmatic approach to AI. Huh explains, “We’re not here saying AI is the solution and the end-all, be-all.” The group balances enthusiasm for AI’s potential with a healthy skepticism towards its limitations.

A Community for Sharing and Growth

The initiative fosters a supportive community where educators can share successes, challenges, and insights, ensuring that they can effectively navigate the evolving landscape of AI in education.

Looking Ahead: The Future of the Collaborative

As the collaborative progresses, leaders envision ongoing discussions beyond the school year. “This definitely isn’t the end,” Magiera declares, highlighting the desire for continued innovation and growth in AI application.