Educators Eager Yet Uncertain About Embracing Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom
K-12 educators and administrators feel a mix of curiosity and apprehension about integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into the classroom. According to a new survey, a significant portion of teachers and administrators have yet to explore this emerging technology within their classrooms and are not yet prepared to do so.
aiEDU surveyed 1,054 K-12 educators and administrators between Nov. 14 and Dec. 31, 2023. The inaugural “Pulse Survey Report” presents a complex picture and underscores the critical need to prepare teachers and support students as AI literacy programs and policies evolve.
AI literacy in education aims to empower students with the knowledge and skills they need to navigate the AI-driven world responsibly and effectively. It prepares them to be informed citizens, critical consumers of technology, and future innovators.
Key findings of the “Pulse Survey Report” include:
Almost half of respondents (47%) don’t think generative AI will affect their employment opportunities, with the rest divided on whether it will positively (28%) or negatively (25%) impact their careers.
New educators, especially those within their first three years, are often presumed to be early AI adopters. However, 65% of them label themselves as either "extremely fearful" or "somewhat fearful" of AI, making them the most hesitant group. Moreover, they're not alone in this sentiment:
51% of educators with four to six years of experience
45% of educators with seven to 10 years of experience
59% of educators with 16 to 20 years of experience
56% of educators with over 20 years of experience
More than 80% of respondents say they believe professional development should extend to AI literacy
75% advocate for curricula that builds AI literacy among students
Familiarity with Generative AI
Given the buzz around ChatGPT, Bard, and other tools, it stands to reason that many respondents report having a basic understanding of generative AI. More than half (52%) say they’re at least somewhat familiar with these tools.
More Classroom AI Integration and AI Literacy for Educators
Despite their lack of familiarity with generative AI — and their concerns about the technology in general and in the classroom — 75% of respondents agree that school lesson plans should include materials specifically designed to help students learn about the implications of AI. It’s one of the few questions on which teachers (74%) and administrators (77%) align in their views.
Help for Educators, Benefits to Students
As conflicted as they are about incorporating generative AI into their lesson plans, educators recognize the potential value of the technology — both for themselves and for their students. Respondents could select as many of these potential advantages as they wanted.
Better lesson planning: 47%
Improved personalized learning: 45%
Enhanced online learning experiences: 44%
Streamlined assessment tools: 40%
Efficient administrative tasks: 38%
Increased engagement through gamification: 32%
"In our rapidly changing world, technology is reshaping how we live, work, and learn,” said Alex Kotran, co-founder and CEO of aiEDU. “AI is set to become a vital part of future classrooms. By supporting a proactive approach grounded in robust pedagogy, ethical principles, and accessibility for students, we can ensure that AI enhances learning for everyone.”
“I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of AI in our classrooms for my students,” said Adam Aguilera, a middle-school English Language Arts teacher with 16 years of experience from Vancouver, Washington. “This technology can empower our students with tools that enhance their learning experience, foster creativity with their teachers, and prepare them for a future where generative AI will be embedded in the daily tasks of most jobs. AI will enhance the pedagogy of my teaching, and increase my efficiency in the classroom, so I have more time building relationships and critical thinking skills with my students.”
As discussions surrounding AI literacy continue, aiEDU makes several recommendations for states and school districts to consider, including developing comprehensive AI literacy programs, creating collaborative platforms for sharing best practices, investing in equitable access to AI technologies, promoting ethical AI use through curriculum development, and facilitating professional development opportunities.
For more information about aiEDU’s Pulse Survey Report, visit www.aiedu.org/pulse.
