Latest news with #MagicSchoolAI
Atlantic
5 days ago
- Atlantic
Was Your Kid's Report Card Written By AI?
Rising seniors are the last class of students who remember high school before ChatGPT. But only just barely: OpenAI's chatbot was released months into their freshman year. Ever since then, writing essays hasn't required, well, writing. By the time these students graduate next spring, they will have completed almost four full years of AI high school. Gone already are the days when using AI to write an essay meant copying and pasting its response verbatim. To evade plagiarism detectors, kids now stitch together output from multiple AI models, or ask chatbots to introduce typos to make the writing appear more human. The original ChatGPT allowed only text prompts. Now students can upload images ('Please do these physics problems for me') and entire documents ('How should I improve my essay based on this rubric?'). Not all of it is cheating. Kids are using AI for exam prep, generating personalized study guides and practice tests, and to get feedback before submitting assignments. Still, if you are a parent of a high schooler who thinks your child isn't using a chatbot for homework assistance—be it sanctioned or illicit—think again. The AI takeover of the classroom is just getting started. Plenty of educators are using AI in their own job, even if they may not love that chatbots give students new ways to cheat. On top of the time they spend on actual instruction, teachers are stuck with a lot of administrative work: They design assignments to align with curricular standards, grade worksheets against preset rubrics, and fill out paperwork to support students with extra needs. Nearly a third of K–12 teachers say they used the technology at least weekly last school year. Sally Hubbard, a sixth-grade math-and-science teacher in Sacramento, California, told me that AI saves her an average of five to 10 hours each week by helping her create assignments and supplement curricula. 'If I spend all of that time creating, grading, researching,' she said, 'then I don't have as much energy to show up in person and make connections with kids.' Beyond ChatGPT and other popular chatbots, educators are turning to AI tools that have been specifically designed for them. Using MagicSchool AI, instructors can upload course material and other relevant documents to generate rubrics, worksheets, and report-card comments. Roughly 2.5 million teachers in the United States currently use the platform: 'We have reason to believe that there is a MagicSchool user in every school district in the country,' Adeel Khan, the company's founder, told me. I tried out the platform for myself: One tool generated a sixth-grade algebra problem about tickets for Taylor Swift's Eras tour: 'If the price increased at a constant rate, what was the slope (rate of change) in dollars per day?' Another, 'Teacher Jokes,' was underwhelming. I asked for a joke on the Cold War for 11th graders: 'Why did the Cold War never get hot?' the bot wrote. 'Because they couldn't agree on a temperature!' So far, much AI experimentation in the classroom has been small-scale, driven by tech-enthusiastic instructors such as Hubbard. This spring, she fed her course material into an AI tool to produce a short podcast on thermodynamics. Her students then listened as invented hosts discussed the laws of energy transfer. 'The AI says something that doesn't make sense,' she told her students. 'See if you can listen for that.' But some school districts are going all in on AI. Miami's public-school system, the third-largest in the country, initially banned the use of chatbots. Over the past year, the district reversed course, rolling out Google's Gemini chatbot to high-school classrooms where teachers are now using it to role-play historical figures and provide students with tutoring and instant feedback on assignments. Although AI initiatives at the district level target mostly middle- and high-school students, adults are also bringing the technology to the classrooms of younger children. This past year, Iowa made an AI-powered reading tutor available to all state elementary schools; elsewhere, chatbots are filling in for school-counselor shortages. Many schools still have bans on AI tools. A recent study on how kids are using AI in 20 states across the South and Midwest found that rural and lower-income students were least likely to say their schools permit AI use. The Houston Independent School District (HISD) offers one case study in what can go wrong when AI enters the classroom. This past school year, the district's curricula were seemingly tainted with AI slop, according to parents. In February, eighth graders viewed a slideshow depicting AI-generated art mimicking the style of the Harlem Renaissance. According to an op-ed in the Houston Chronicle written by two HISD parents, students were also given error-laden worksheets (one, on transportation technology, depicted a mix between a car and a chariot that was pulled by a horse with three back legs) and inscrutable discussion questions ('What is the exclamation point(s) to something that surprised you,' one asked). An HISD spokesperson told me that the Harlem Renaissance images were indeed AI-generated using Canva, a graphic-design tool; he was unable to confirm whether AI was used in the other examples. None of this is slowing AI's rollout in schools. This spring, President Donald Trump signed an executive order promoting AI use in the classroom with the goal of training teachers to integrate 'AI into all subject areas' so that kids gain an expertise in AI 'from an early age.' The White House's push to incorporate AI in K–12 education has repeatedly emphasized public-private partnerships, a call that tech companies already appear to be embracing. Last month, Microsoft pledged to give more than $4 billion toward advancing AI education across K–12 schools, community and technical colleges, and nonprofits. The same week as Microsoft's announcement, the American Federation of Teachers, one of the country's largest teachers unions, announced a $23 million partnership with Microsoft, OpenAI, and Anthropic. One of the partnership's first efforts is a 'National Academy for AI Instruction,' opening in New York City this fall, where instructors will learn how to use AI for generating lesson plans and other tasks. The program then plans to expand nationally to reach 10 percent of U.S. teachers over the next five years. Schools are stuck in a really confusing place. Everyone seems to agree that education needs an upgrade for the AI era. 'Our students right now are going to be put at a disadvantage internationally if we don't evolve,' Miguel Cardona, Joe Biden's education secretary, told me. But no one seems to agree on what those changes should look like. Since ChatGPT's release, the in-class essay, the oral exam, blue-book exams, and even cursive have all made something of a comeback in certain classrooms, in an effort to prevent students from outsourcing all their writing and thinking to AI. At the same time, AI aims to make work more efficient—which is exactly what students are using it for. In that sense, whether kids using AI on their homework counts as cheating is 'almost a semantic issue,' argues Alex Kotran, a co-founder of the AI Education Project, a nonprofit focused on AI literacy. Of course, try telling that to a concerned parent. As Kotran points out, a middle ground exists between pretending students aren't using AI and encouraging them to rely on it nonstop. 'Even if you believe that everybody is going to be using AI in the future,' he told me, 'it doesn't necessarily follow that the top priority should be getting students hands-on right away.' Imagine if in 2007, schools had decided that the best way to prepare kids for the future was to force every student to spend all day in front of an iPhone. No matter what teachers', students', and parents' attitudes about AI in the classroom are, though, it's a reality they have to deal with. The path that schools take from here has direct implications for the future of AI more generally. The more reliant kids are on the technology now, the larger a role AI will play in their lives later. Once schools go all in, there's no turning back.
Associated Press
08-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
MagicSchool AI Launches 'Teachers Are Magic' Nationwide Campaign Featuring Real Teachers
MagicSchool honors educators on billboards across Miami, Dallas and Atlanta MagicSchool AI, the No. 1 AI platform used in schools, today launched its 'Teachers Are Magic' back-to-school campaign. The campaign features real teachers on billboards across major metropolitan areas including Miami, Dallas and Atlanta, accompanied by celebratory local events honoring educators. Running through September, the initiative celebrates inspiring educators from local communities alongside MagicSchool's signature message: 'Teachers Are Magic.' 'Teachers and students across the nation heading back to school this fall, a special moment for families and communities across the country worthy of celebration,' said Adeel Khan, founder and CEO of MagicSchool AI and former teacher and principal. 'It's not uncommon to see professional athletes or celebrities on billboards, and as we head into another school year, we think elevating teachers who tirelessly dedicate themselves to their students deserve the same treatment.' The 'Teachers Are Magic' campaign aligns with MagicSchool's mission to help tackle the crisis of teacher burnout with tools that can make their everyday life easier. The platform's suite of over 80 AI tools for educators helps streamline lesson planning, assessment creation and administrative tasks, allowing teachers to focus on what they do best: teaching and inspiring students. On average, teachers report that MagicSchool saves them seven hours of time each week — nearly a full day. The platform serves nearly 6 million educators representing nearly every US school district and educators in 160 countries worldwide. MagicSchool's Back-to-School Campaign Details As part of its back-to-school campaign, MagicSchool has launched its free ' Back-to-School Guide,' which includes teacher-loved tools, monthly planning pages and AI prompts for every level, giving teachers the resources they need to hit the ground running this fall. The billboards feature photos and inspiring testimonials from real teachers, including Dr. Jessica Harris, a special education instructional specialist in Georgia, who shared: 'The magic of teaching to me means being able to see and bring out the magic in students that they don't even see within themselves.' In addition to the billboard displays, MagicSchool will host teacher appreciation events in each featured market. These gatherings will provide opportunities for local educators, students and their families to connect, share experiences and celebrate teachers' contributions to their communities. Event details and registration information will be available soon on MagicSchool's website. About MagicSchool AI MagicSchool is the most loved, secure and trusted AI platform for educators and students — with nearly every U.S. school district and 160 countries around the world using the platform. MagicSchool is built for educators, by educators, providing a genuine opportunity to reclaim valuable time for educators, combat burnout and elevate the art of teaching. To learn more, visit Media Contact Kirsten Underwood [email protected] ### SOURCE: MagicSchool AI Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire
Reuters
07-08-2025
- Reuters
MagicSchool AI Launches 'Teachers Are Magic' Nationwide Campaign Featuring Real Teachers
DENVER, CO, August 7, 2025 (EZ Newswire) -- MagicSchool AI, opens new tab, the No. 1 AI platform used in schools, today launched its "Teachers Are Magic" back-to-school campaign. The campaign features real teachers on billboards across major metropolitan areas including Miami, Dallas and Atlanta, accompanied by celebratory local events honoring educators. Running through September, the initiative celebrates inspiring educators from local communities alongside MagicSchool's signature message: "Teachers Are Magic." "Teachers and students across the nation heading back to school this fall, a special moment for families and communities across the country worthy of celebration," said Adeel Khan, founder and CEO of MagicSchool AI and former teacher and principal. "It's not uncommon to see professional athletes or celebrities on billboards, and as we head into another school year, we think elevating teachers who tirelessly dedicate themselves to their students deserve the same treatment.' The "Teachers Are Magic" campaign aligns with MagicSchool's mission to help tackle the crisis of teacher burnout with tools that can make their everyday life easier. The platform's suite of over 80 AI tools for educators helps streamline lesson planning, assessment creation and administrative tasks, allowing teachers to focus on what they do best: teaching and inspiring students. On average, teachers report that MagicSchool saves them seven hours of time each week — nearly a full day. The platform serves nearly 6 million educators representing nearly every US school district and educators in 160 countries worldwide. MagicSchool's Back-to-School Campaign Details As part of its back-to-school campaign, MagicSchool has launched its free 'Back-to-School Guide, opens new tab,' which includes teacher-loved tools, monthly planning pages and AI prompts for every level, giving teachers the resources they need to hit the ground running this fall. The billboards feature photos and inspiring testimonials from real teachers, including Dr. Jessica Harris, a special education instructional specialist in Georgia, who shared: "The magic of teaching to me means being able to see and bring out the magic in students that they don't even see within themselves." In addition to the billboard displays, MagicSchool will host teacher appreciation events in each featured market. These gatherings will provide opportunities for local educators, students and their families to connect, share experiences and celebrate teachers' contributions to their communities. Event details and registration information will be available soon on MagicSchool's website, opens new tab. About MagicSchool AI MagicSchool is the most loved, secure and trusted AI platform for educators and students — with nearly every U.S. school district and 160 countries around the world using the platform. MagicSchool is built for educators, by educators, providing a genuine opportunity to reclaim valuable time for educators, combat burnout and elevate the art of teaching. To learn more, visit opens new tab. Media Contact Kirsten Underwoodpress@ ### SOURCE: MagicSchool AI Copyright 2025 EZ Newswire See release on EZ Newswire
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
AI Makes Quick Gains in Math, But Errors Still Worry Some Eyeing Reliability
While artificial intelligence has made remarkable gains in mathematics, its well-chronicled shortcomings in the subject continue to frustrate those keen on finding new ways to help kids learn. 'Big picture, AI is not very good at math,' said Alex Kotran, co-founder and CEO of The AI Education Project. 'Language models just predict the next word. You get mixed results using language models to do math. It's not yet mature enough to where it can be trusted to be scaled.' And even if it were to improve, critics worry it might hurt kids' ability to try — and fail — on their own. Much would be lost, Kotran said, if 'we get rid of productive struggle and we build this instinct where the first thing you do is go to AI for help.' Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter But students in the United States and the United Kingdom have a different view. A recent survey found 56% believe AI could go a long way in reducing math anxiety. Fifteen percent of the 1,500 16- to 18-year-old students surveyed said they had already experienced this relief themselves and slightly more than 1 in 5 said their math scores improved because of the technology. Related The survey also included 250 teachers. Sixty-one percent suggested students view AI as 'a mentor or study partner rather than a crutch', while nearly half 'see value for students in using AI for help with the process of learning math concepts, rather than to give answers.' Nicole Paxton, principal of Mountain Vista Community School in Colorado Springs, said her teachers use AI in many ways. Tools like MagicSchoolAI analyze student responses to math prompts, with AI generating 'specific, standards-aligned feedback for each student, focusing on their reasoning, accuracy, and math vocabulary.' Paxton said the tool highlights strengths and misconceptions, 'which helps teachers give timely and targeted next steps.' The practice saves educators time so they can 'more easily differentiate their re-teaching or follow-up, especially when addressing common errors across the class.' Robin Lake, director of the Center on Reinventing Public Education, recently looked at the evidence base for using AI in math instruction, including whether it can help the 'shocking number of students' with foundational skills' gaps like those identified in a recent 'Unlocking Algebra' study. The May 13 analysis by TNTP found that almost half of the students sampled started the class with only one-third of the concepts and skills needed from earlier grades. Lake said AI can be used by schools to identify children who are struggling — and, at least to some degree, by the students themselves. 'AI can be very helpful in analyzing data and identifying gaps in student learning,' she said. And, if a student wants to learn a mathematical concept in a different way than what they've experienced in class, she said, AI can provide a valuable alternative. 'A lot of students are already doing this,' Lake said. More districts are training staff to use the technology, though many educators remain reluctant. Terrie Galanti, associate professor at the University of North Florida, said AI success in student learning depends on how teachers are prepared to use it. 'AI can be more than an explainer or an answer giver,' said Galanti, who teaches secondary mathematics and STEM integration/computational thinking. 'With thoughtful prompts, AI can become part of interactive, collaborative conversations to deepen mathematics understanding.' The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics said in a February 2024 position paper that teachers have long been accustomed to technological advances that change the way students learn. Related They had already adjusted to the availability of pocket calculators in the early '80s and, more recently, to the widespread use of PhotoMath, a mobile app that recognizes and solves math problems. It notes that advancements in AI make teachers more, not less valuable, in student learning. Latrenda Knighten, the organization's president, told Education Week in March that students will still need to rely upon their own discernment to solve mathematical problems — regardless of what tools become available. 'We know that children learn math from being able to problem-solve, being able to use reasoning skills, critical thinking, having opportunities to collaborate with each other and talk about what they're doing,' Knighten said. Irina Lyublinskaya, professor in the department of mathematics, science, and technology at Teachers College, Columbia University, distinguished between chatbots like ChatGPT and computational knowledge engines like WolframAlpha. She noted math specific AI-powered applications — including WolframAlpha and Symbolab — work very well. 'AI chatbots can help students learn math, and they can help teachers to support students, but this is not about asking ChatGPT to solve a math problem,' she said. 'I know of research-based initiatives that use AI to adapt learning materials to students' learning styles and abilities and these definitely help students learn.' One, she noted, was EvidenceB, developed by researchers and educators in Europe, and is now being tested in NYC. Related 'Chatbots can be trained as teaching assistants or tutors that can provide students proper scaffolding and feedback, helping them to learn math the same way they would with a real person,' she said. Zachary A. Pardos is an associate professor of education at the University of California Berkeley where he studies adaptive learning and AI. He found, in a study conducted a year ago, that 25% of the answers provided by ChatGPT in algebra were incorrect. 'That's pretty high,' he noted. 'Much higher than you would want.' But the technology has improved since then. 'With the right techniques — at least in algebra — from an error perspective, I feel it is ready for real-time intervention in math,' he said.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bay District School makes moves to implement AI in the classroom
BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) – On April 23, President Trump signed an executive order for school districts to start using AI. But Bay District school officials were prepared for this transition. They'd already formed a task force to begin the process well before the announcement. 'We just wanted to get ahead of the game,' Instructional Tech. & Media Resources Supervisor Susan Tierney said. The AI task force, made up of teachers and administrators, set out to test different educational platforms. 'We gave our committee members several tasks to do without a whole lot of guidance. And they completed those tasks with three different products, and ultimately, unanimously, it was decided that Magic School AI would be the product that we chose,' Tierney said. Magic School AI provides educators and, eventually, Bay District school students with access to over 80 AI-powered tools. Panama City officials hope to improve pedestrian safety with potential trail system It will help teachers generate lesson plans, rubrics, and craft parent communications. Tierney said the task force felt Magic School was user-friendly and intuitive. Once educators become well-versed, there will be a roll-out process. 'It will be a year-long process. So we're going to start at the teacher level and really train teachers in understanding what AI is. All of the good and the bad that is AI and then eventually we will roll that down to students. So with the Magic School, teachers, will have control over what AI tools they can select for their students to use. So it'll make them feel more comfortable with AI and having their students use those tools,' Tierney explained. Tierney said teachers will still maintain control over their implementation of the product into their curriculum. Bay District School Board members approved a one-year contract to try out the platform. The total cost for the trial will be $88,000, funded by half-cent sales tax. Tierney feels the long-term impacts will be worth it. 'We want to make sure that our students are ready for careers that, like I said, don't exist currently right now. And so we want to be prepared for that,' Tierney added. Some people are suspicious of AI. But school district officials said Magic School AI prioritizes data security and privacy, with strict measures to protect student and staff information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
