Helping Students Become AI Literate

"Not helping students navigate AI is like giving a teen car keys without first giving the teen driving lessons. We can empower students with AI literacies, adaptable thinking, and responsible thought partnerships. Creative and critical thinking skills, curiosity, and prompt-engineering skills will be essential for success. A recent Pew Research Center survey of 2,531 public K-12 teachers in the U.S. indicated that only 6 percent of teachers think AI does more good than harm ( Pew Research Center, 2024)."

"Meanwhile, many adults are embracing the ways AI makes our work and lives easier, while learning how to navigate AI's not-always-obvious shortcomings (like its love for hallucinating and fabricating convincing content when it can't find or do what we've asked for). AI is not going away. Our students need to know how to navigate this new AI-integrated world, but they cannot embrace AI in ways that stifle their acquisition of important skills like writing and problem-solving."

"The acceptance and incorporation of AI is slow and steady in my field. It varies greatly currently, with some educators resisting out of fear that it will replace, rather than enhance, the growth and development of their learners. Other educators are embracing it as a wise and experienced thought partner to become even more creative with their practice than ever."

A Pew Research Center survey of 2,531 U.S. public K–12 teachers found only 6 percent believe AI does more good than harm. Many adults adopt AI while learning to manage AI hallucinations and fabricated content. Students need guidance to use AI without undermining writing and problem-solving skill development. AI acceptance among educators varies, with some resisting out of fear of replacement and others embracing AI as a creative, experienced thought partner. Educators should teach AI literacies, adaptable thinking, responsible thought partnerships, creative and critical thinking, curiosity, and prompt-engineering skills.

Read at Psychology Today