Latest news with #SouthWindsorHighSchool
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
State pilot program exploring use of Artificial Intelligence in education
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH) — A state pilot program is exploring the use of artificial intelligence in education. The program was highlighted at an AI Summit at Central Connecticut State University Tuesday. Governor Ned Lamont, who spoke at the event, said he thinks AI plays to Connecticut's strengths. South Windsor High School embraces Artificial Intelligence in classrooms 'Whether you're in physics, whether you're in biology, whether you're in manufacturing, AI can be a compliment or minor to what your major is because it could be part of everything we do,' Lamont said, referring to college students. When it comes to grade schools, the AI pilot program is currently being tested at seven Connecticut school districts. 'We have a Google Chrome extension called Brisk and we're able to do a lot with it,' Smalley Elementary School teacher Rachel Cunningham said. When asked if the tool helped with students' learning, Cunningham said it definitely does. Lawmakers weigh benefits of artificial intelligence in classrooms 'I feel it definitely assists with their learning because we're really able to individualize the instruction for them,' Cunningham said. Education experts at the event said AI could also aid students in special education or students that don't speak English as their first language. However, Jeff Riley, director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Day of AI lab said regulation is crucial. He said educators must also ensure students wouldn't be over-dependent on the tool. 'We just have to have a policy that focuses on our values of academic integrity, where a kid would disclose if they're using it,' he said. The Department of Education said seven school districts in the state are currently participating in the AI pilot program. Lamont said lawmakers are going to see how successful it is this year and then they will determine if they should deploy the technology more broadly across Connecticut. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
South Windsor High School embraces Artificial Intelligence in classrooms
SOUTH WINDSOR, Conn. (WTNH) — Artificial intelligence is becoming a bigger and bigger part of our lives. That is why one local school district is embracing AI in the classroom. The ways in which they are doing that may surprise you. Students in Ms. Quinn's senior English class at South Windsor High School are using artificial intelligence to help with their senior theses, and their school is encouraging it. Community describes qualities wanted for new Hartford superintendent 'It's not necessarily doing any of the thinking for you,' senior Aiden Keegan explained. 'It's more taking your thinking and being like, 'Hey, here's an angle you might not have thought of. Here's another route to explore yourself.'' South Windsor is using an AI platform called Magic School designed to help students, but still let them do the critical thinking. 'I think it's helping them move out of the brainstorming phase faster,' teacher Cara Quinn said. 'It's helping them generate ideas faster. It's helping them get through the research faster.' That research is the kind of thing that can take the longest for students working on a paper for class. There has been a lot of hand-wringing over students using AI to cheat, but with Magic School, teachers can review all the interactions between students and the AI to make sure the AI is helping, but not doing the work for them. 'I'm able to see what it is that they're asking,' Quinn said. 'I can see the script of the questions and the responses that they've gotten.' Teachers can also look at the process students went through. That process of interacting with technology is what is driving South Windsor to use AI all the way from 12th grade down to kindergarten. 'That's what it's all about with AI is asking the right questions, and so you start with basic questions,' South Windsor Schools' Director of Technology Doug Couture said. Those questions are just like the ones you would ask a teacher. 'It saved me so many hours of struggling over the computer when I can just use my own words and have it help me,' senior Isabella Giammarino said. 'It's like talking to my teacher. It literally is.' However, the reality is, the teacher can only do so much. 'There's one of me and there are 25 of them,' Quinn said. 'So, when they are in a place where they need assistance, this is another group member, another brain that they can use to bounce ideas off of.' And when today's students are out in the workforce, AI will be even more prevalent than it is now. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
