Common Sense Media Releases GenAI K-12 Education Report
Today Common Sense Media released their new white paper on "Generative AI in K–12 Education: Challenges and Opportunities." It takes a deep dive into the complexities of AI adoption in education. Amanda Bickerstaff was fortunate to share some of our experiences from AI for Education's work in schools and districts with one of the authors, Bene Cipolla .
The white paper is worth a read, and we love the emphasis on responsible implementation, the importance of building AI literacy, and the need for clear guidelines to ensure AI enhances rather than undermines learning experiences.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
Current State of AI in Education:
• Though familiarity is increasing, there is still a lack of fundamental AI literacy
• Only 5% of districts have specific generative AI policies, which reflects what we have seen in the field
• Students are using AI tools, often without clear guidelines
Opportunities for AI adoption:
• Student-focused: Adaptive learning, creativity enhancement, project-based learning, and collaborative support
• Teacher-focused: Lesson planning assistance, feedback on teaching, and productivity gains
• System-focused: Data interoperability, parent engagement, and communication
Risks and Challenges:
• Inaccuracies and misinformation in GenAI outputs
• Bias and lack of representation in AI systems
• Privacy and data security concerns
• Potential for cheating and plagiarism
• Risk of overreliance on technology and loss of critical thinking skills
What Students Want:
• Clear guidelines on AI use, not outright bans
• Recognition of both potential benefits and ethical concerns of the technology
• More education on AI's capabilities and limitations
Recommendations:
• Invest in AI literacy for educators, students, and families
• Develop standardized guidelines for AI use in schools
• Adopt procurement standards for AI tools in education
• Use participatory design to include diverse voices in AI development
• Center equity in AI development and implementation
• Proceed cautiously, given the experimental nature of the technology
Shoutout to all of our EDSAFE AI Alliance and TeachAI steering committee members featured in the white paper.
