At a recent meeting of the Aspen School Board held on April 23, education officials underscored the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in classrooms, emphasising that while AI will not replace teachers, it will significantly alter lesson planning. The Aspen School District (ASD) is actively incorporating AI tools into its curriculum, aiming to enhance teaching and learning experiences.

Kimberly Zimmer, ASD’s instructional director of Learning and Innovation, provided an overview of the district’s integration of several AI models during the meeting. These include Toddle AI, Khanmigo, and Google Gemini, each serving distinct roles in lesson preparation and classroom support. Toddle AI has emerged as particularly valuable due to its alignment with the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum, which is central to the district’s educational framework.

Zimmer explained that Toddle AI can offer tailored suggestions during lesson planning, helping teachers design classes that align with IB concepts. Additionally, the tool’s tutor function aids students by prompting inquiry-based learning rather than giving direct answers to questions, thereby encouraging deeper engagement with the subject matter. She also highlighted that Toddle is a carbon-neutral company, an aspect that complements the district’s values.

Despite recognising the potential benefits of AI, district staff advised caution in its deployment. Zimmer stressed the rapid pace at which AI is advancing and the necessity of a deliberate, human-driven approach to its use in education. She pointed out concerns around data privacy, the origins and validation of AI data, and the implications for equity in education.

Zimmer noted, “AI has the potential to challenge systemic barriers in education, but if not designed carefully, it will simply automate and reinforce existing inequities.” Moreover, she highlighted the importance of scrutinising the motivations of AI providers, especially those with financial ties to standardised testing entities or private education firms that could influence how AI models operate.

All AI tools currently employed by the Aspen School District reportedly maintain the privacy of district data. Nonetheless, the district remains vigilant regarding AI’s role in tasks such as writing lesson plans, completing assignments, and grading. Zimmer cautioned against overreliance on AI in a manner that might promote “inauthentic brain power, inauthentic work,” which she described as a societal concern.

Board member Cassie Harrelson echoed these sentiments, stating, “AI will never replace teachers… it is to help us be better teachers and to help our kids get experiences they didn’t get before.”

The discussion reflects the district’s commitment to harnessing AI responsibly, ensuring it serves as a tool that supports educators and students while attending to broader considerations of privacy, equity, and authenticity in the learning process.

The Aspen Times is reporting.

Source: Noah Wire Services