HCISD prepares for AI revolution in the classroom

HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Students are almost back in school and this year, more than ever, artificial intelligence will play a big role in their learning.

Districts across the valley have embraced AI in a variety of ways. From spotting security threats to helping students learn, to making lesson planning for teachers more efficient. Educators are trying to enhance both the learning and teaching experience.

“There’s a lot of potential out there for AI, but we also know that we have to be responsible as well," said Jessica Hruska, with the Harlingen School District. Hruska thinks the AI revolution is similar to the early days of the internet. It is a tool students can use to enhance their education, but not a substitute for learning the material or doing schoolwork.

“Our train of thought is more like, how do we not say you can not use AI?," Hruska said, explaining HCISD's approach to the burgeoning technology. "It’s ok to say, what are the best four sources for this topic, and then you go do the research. It’s not ok to say hey, I need a paper on this topic, and let it write it for you and copy and paste.”

Last year, HCISD came up with problem-solving teams to figure out the best way to roll out AI into the classrooms. Hruska said the working groups focused on learning goals, district policies, and system education among other things.

Administrators, teachers, students and occasionally members of the community can collaborate to figure out best practices the district can adopt. “Going from that start of innovation goals all the way to student integration," Hruska said. "So we do plan on really prepping our systems first, and our policies first, our teachers. And then really training our students on how to efficiently use AI in the classroom.”

HCISD said it is working on getting that system in place this year and having the whole framework in place for the beginning of next school year.

AI in the classrooms does not only affect students. One of the rollout components is teacher training. Hruska said they have been open to the idea, even though some may not have been so welcoming at the start.

“It almost was the mindset of a negative, right? That AI was a negative. And I think it’s about exposing the teachers to the positive sides of AI, understanding how it could help with their administrative tasks, right?," Hruska said.

HCISD acknowledges rare instances when students used AI to do their schoolwork for them. However, having students work on important parts of projects in class and having different writing samples on hand for students are ways to cut down on those issues.

Hruska also highlighted the district's commitment to keeping student's personal information safe while they navigate this new space. She also acknowledged the district's technology department and software with robust content filters as additional safety measures.