Exploring New Frontiers

By Mark Tanner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZ9rYY89OJY

Story by CCNN Live

Artificial Intelligence has rapidly become one of the most talked about topics in education, and in our own school, teachers and parents are learning on how to use it the right way while preparing students for the future.

Earlier this year, Columbus hosted a meeting to talk to and educate parents and teachers on how AI is being implemented safely in classrooms. Omar Delgado, Director of Educational Learning and Technology, explained how AI is still not 100% there and its still developing.

"It's kind of like the Wild Wild West right now with AI," he said.

Many parents used this meeting to clarify that AI is not being used to replace learning but to strengthen it. When students use AI correctly, it allows them to think deeper, ask more questions and approach assignments with more confidence, Delgado says.

Research shows 83.5% of students say AI improves their learning efficiency, helping them access information faster and organize ideas — factors that can increase confidence and deeper engagement with assignments.

Teachers are also learning how to incorporate.

First-grade teacher Berna Martinez says she already uses AI to plan lessons and she wants to learn how to guide her students in using AI to their advantage. She emphasized how we need to teach students how to prompt AI correctly so it becomes a learning tool rather than a quick and easy shortcut.

At Columbus, this effort is led by the C-Tech team, a group of teachers testing new educational technologies and encouraging responsible use. Paul Kumer, a member of the C-Tech team, says he works closely with teachers to help them use tools like NotebookLM or ChatGPT to enhance student learning both in and out of the classroom.

As AI continues to evolve and get better, the educators at Cristopher Columbus High School agree on one thing: AI is not going to replace teachers; it is used to empower students and teachers and help shape classrooms so they are ready for the future.