Dear James,
I can’t believe you graduated middle school! I am so proud of you, Buddy!
This is an amazing time for you James, it is also a time of bucketloads of advice. I still get emails from Piedmont, and I wanted to write to you to share my two cents on why, like me, you should think twice about using AI in classes. Your education would benefit more if you were to fully understand the writing process by learning the tools you’re around, using AI as a resource, as well as understanding the risks and possible punishments of using AI in the classroom.
We should use AI as a seatbelt to ensure your readiness. As loosely stated in the Student Guide to AI Literacy, developing literacy with a tool leads to a more “skilled and thoughtful” use. AI is a resource intended to assist you in finding information and assisting your learning further. In my writing class, we used an article by the Modern Language Association, the same one I already mentioned, it is designed as a guideline to bring awareness to the mindfulness needed when dealing with AI. The verbiage used in the article is what I wanted to share with you, they created a list of what a “literate AI user” can do. By doing this it creates the idea that you, the reader can accomplish what they deem is acceptable and educational behavior when using AI.
By asking further questions, finding credible sources and cross-checking information AI can help you understand the material in various formats. I had a good few discussions with my professors when it came to HOW to use AI as a resource. I had never used it in high school and was too scared to use it my first semester at university! I started talking to classmates, the RAs on campus, and even Dad about how they’re all using AI in their day to day. The MLA source I have previously mentioned wants users to “know how to prompt GenAI to produce successful outputs,” which I believe starts with fun at the kitchen table. Brian Ellison, Dad’s friend at Funnel Designs, said he’ll sit with his younger daughter for thirty minutes just letting her get creative with prompts and familiar with the technology. I did the same, I played around with the prompts. I “use(d) effective technique, …practicing, and refining prompts,” until I figured out how best to receive the best outputs for my prompts.
Remember when I got my car keys and Mom and Dad set ground rules? You need some rules with AI. When you start to use AI during the school year, you have to ensure that it is by the book. I looked at the Piedmont student handbook, and they have yet to make a claim pro or against on paper, meaning it is up to the individual teacher. You must respect what each teacher requests as the AI policy in their room. Asking questions is never wrong. I would advise you to ask why each teacher feels as comfortable or uncomfortable with AI as they are. Written for the MLA, the Student Guide to Literacy suggests discussing “transparently with your instructors and peers” about your process with AI. In each case, honesty is your best bet. Having a plan and guidelines on using AI as a learning tool will set you up in the future with teachers. Placing a boundary in your relationship with technology will keep your creativity!
Having the tools to question and critically think to solve a problem is something I have seen you flourish in your whole life. I trust that while you use new technology to help assist your learning further, you will continue to succeed with pen and paper as well! By using AI to further your knowledge and using honesty in the classroom, I know you will be successful James Glenn.
I love you past the stars,
Madelyn Metzler
