In November of 2022, OpenAI launched ChatGPT, an AI-powered chatbot, effectively initiating the Artificial Intelligence boom in which we are now living. But before there was ChatGPT, AI was already working in our daily lives: for years we’ve been asking questions to Siri and Alexa, scrolling through algorithm-curated social media feeds, and following our navigation apps to avoid traffic. AI powers all of these tools (and so many more). So why was ChatGPT different? And what does the AI Revolution mean for Warren-Walker School and–most importantly–our students?

ChatGPT and other similar large language model chatbots like Google’s Gemini and Microsoft’s Copilot are, in their

simplest terms, internet searches that return results in a conversational format. The ease of access and the conversational nature of these tools brought AI’s capabilities into the spotlight, making it more accessible and relevant in everyday interactions.

Swift and Thoughtful Response to AI

In the Summer of 2023, Seth Groff, our Chief Information Officer, convened a team of teachers, staff, and administrators with the goal of addressing AI at Warren-Walker. The group met throughout the summer and into the school year to review how current technology-use policies may be impacted by AI, how students and teachers may use AI in educational contexts, and to plan professional development opportunities for faculty and staff.

It was clear from the outset that AI was more than just a passing trend. It has the potential to revolutionize education, but only if integrated thoughtfully and responsibly. The group that came together to work through Warren-Walker’s approach to AI was committed to thoughtful integration and dedicated to maintaining a high-quality educational experience amidst rapidly evolving technological landscapes.

Policy Updates and Professional Development

The team agreed on minor updates to our policies, which were added to this year’s School Handbook. Reflecting on the changes, Mrs. Volker shared, "The few short statements added to our Responsible Use Policy in the School Handbook, that have been in use for years with ongoing updates, have worked for us. Technology, like anything, is to be used responsibly, knowledgeably, and purposefully."

During the teacher prep week before students returned in the Fall, members of that team introduced the entire Warren-Walker faculty and staff to the new developments in AI, including an overview and resources they may be interested in using, and our school policies and guidelines governing the use of AI on our campuses for both faculty and students.

Mrs. Volker further emphasized, "With every change, comes risks. AI can be very helpful when used properly to seek and utilize valuable information, like modifications, and accommodations to benefit students’ learning. On the other hand, there is the risk of students or teachers obtaining misinformation. All educators will need further training about credible ways to attain and use AI. This year at WWS, knowledgeable faculty and staff shared several legitimate and effective AI resources that they have found."

Addressing Privacy and Security Concerns

A significant aspect of our AI policy involves addressing privacy and security issues. Mr. Groff highlighted the importance of data protection and the steps taken to mitigate risks. "We verify privacy policies of AI platforms in use, and are implementing best efforts/practices to screen for sensitive personally-identifiable information (PII) at the network and Workspace level so that student and staff data is not sold or shared inappropriately."

He also mentioned the importance of anonymization: "Faculty are expected to anonymize all queries to AI with special care to not use PII for any members of the WW community, protecting individual identities; they are expected to treat any organization-specific, particularly confidential information, with similar care."

Early Adopters and Pioneers

Based on conversations with many teachers in surrounding schools, both public and independent, Warren-Walker was one of the only schools to directly address the new developments in AI with faculty in the Fall of 2023. Mr. Groff noted that although the technology was (and still is) new, rapidly changing, and a little unpredictable, our goal is to “stay  at the forefront of educational technology developments,” and “AI is hands down the most important development.” Our approach has been both cautious and enthusiastic,  understanding the transformative potential of AI while also recognizing the need for careful implementation.

Practical Applications in the Classroom

We have already seen AI making its way into our classrooms, particularly in the Middle School. Within the first month

of school, Mrs. Gillian Robinson, 6th grade English teacher, presented information to the student body about AI, and the ways that they might see it being used in school. The most prevalent concern that continues to come up in conversations around AI in education is the possibility that it could be used to assist students in cheating on their school work.  While this has already come up on our Middle School campus, having teachers with training and understanding of how the tool works and teaching students appropriate ways to use this new tool has helped mitigate the problem substantially.

On the other side, many of our faculty members  have implemented AI tools to support their students’ learning. Mrs. Hope Herrera, 4th grade teacher, has used it to create practice math tests, differentiate reading passages, and generate vocabulary activities. Mrs. Robinson shared, "I have used it to create problem sets for students. For example, we can practice complex sentences using elements from fantasy, because that is the current unit of study. I also use it to make mentor texts for students' essays so they have a '1 star, 2 star, and 3 star' example to use."

Mr. Kris Iacono, Head of Lower School, added, "I think we have done a good job introducing the possible uses and discussing the ethical issues surrounding its use. I think it can be a potentially very useful tool, and we will see it used more often."

Integration of AI in the Infotech Program

In our lower grades, Raven Schweller, library and technology teacher, has begun exploring ways to integrate AI into our infotech program. "While we are still in the early stages, I have introduced some foundational AI concepts to the students. For instance, we have used simple AI-driven tools that enhance creativity and learning, such as text-to-speech applications and the Canva design program, which introduce AI principles in a fun and engaging manner." She also shared future plans: "Looking ahead, I am excited about incorporating more advanced AI tools into our curriculum. Plans include using AI to support personalized learning experiences, where students can receive individualized recommendations for reading materials based on their interests  and reading levels. Additionally, I am considering projects where students can interact with AI-powered educational games that adapt to their learning pace and style."

Future Prospects and Ethical Considerations

Mr. Paul Saunders, Head of Middle School, provided further insight into balancing traditional and AI-driven approaches: "I believe that in the future, we will be going back to more pencil and paper brainstorms, outlines and rough drafts to ensure students' thoughts and words are their own. This is not to say that there are not appropriate opportunities to include AI in the classroom and in projects that could be cutting edge. At the Middle School, we are fortunate that Mrs. Robinson is already helping familiarize the faculty to become comfortable with ways to use this new tool."

As Mrs. Volker explained, “we want our students to be AI wise, not AI dependent.

There is significant potential for both teachers and students. For teachers, AI can streamline administrative tasks, provide data-driven insights into student progress, and offer innovative ways to engage students. For students, AI can create more personalized learning experiences, support differentiated instruction, and foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills through interactive and adaptive learning platforms."

The Broader Impact and Future Prospects

Now, a year and a half after the launch of ChatGPT, there are almost 15,000 AI startup companies in the United States alone. The World Economic Forum predicts that by 2025, approximately 97 million people will be needed to work in the AI space in order to meet the surging demand for AI tools.

Warren-Walker’s early adoption and integration of AI into our curriculum will not only prepare our students for the future workforce, but also instill in them the critical thinking and ethical considerations necessary to navigate a world increasingly influenced by AI. Mr. Groff concludes, "AI capabilities continue to evolve rapidly, and we must adapt our policies, protocols, and practices in order to remain flexible and embrace new tools and approaches as they emerge."

As we continue to evaluate and adjust our approach, our commitment remains firm: to provide a thoughtful, intentional, and high-quality educational experience that equips our students for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.

- Casslyn Duron, Student Services Coordinator  (...this text has been revised and edited by ChatGPT!)