Essex County Schools of Technology (ECST) is a premier public school district dedicated to providing innovative, high-quality education to students across Essex County, New Jersey. Our schools offer rigorous academic programs, cutting-edge career and technical education (CTE), and a wealth of extracurricular opportunities to prepare students for success in college, careers, and beyond.
Each month, we proudly showcase the incredible achievements, events, and initiatives happening across our district. Explore our newsletters and stay informed about the latest news, student highlights, and district-wide updates. We are excited to share and bring greater awareness to the impact of ECST!
ECST AI Task Force Team
Mr. Justin Bevilacqua - PT/NT/WCT Mathematics + Science Supervisor
Dr. Carmen Morales - PT/WCT/NT Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Ms. Ana Mendes - NT Science Educator
Mr. Zack Arenstien - WCT Mathematics Educator
Mr. Vincent Boyce - PT
Web Design Educator
Mrs. Amy Karydes - PT English Educator
Mrs. Jackie Shoop - WCT English Educator
Ms. Jessica DiCicco - WCT Media Specialist
Mr. Daniel McCarey - PT Media Specialist
Ms. Stefanie Freund - NT Media Specialist
Mr. Trevor Johnson - NT Science Educator
Dr. Roland Lucas - NT Mathematics Educator
Paul Boyko - PT Web Design Educator
As an educator, we recently explored ChatGPT’s study feature to better understand how students can leverage AI to support their learning. By guiding students through step-by-step problem solving, the tool provides instant explanations and personalized feedback, much like a one-on-one tutor. Observing its use in real time allows students to see where they may struggle and how they interact with concepts independently. Integrating this technology into homework support not only helps students complete assignments with confidence but also deepens their conceptual understanding, offering valuable insight for instructional planning.
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to access the Study feature in ChatGPT:
Open ChatGPT: chat.openai.com
Start a New Chat: Click the “+ New Chat” button.
Look for Study Tools: If your version of ChatGPT has the study feature, you should see an option labeled “Study” or “Learning/Study Mode” in the sidebar or under the tools menu.
Select Study Mode: Click it to open a learning session.
Input Your Material: Type in the topic, question, or homework problem you want help with.
Follow the Prompts: ChatGPT will guide you through explanations, practice problems, or step-by-step solutions.
A student recently submitted a Canva link for their project, but when they pasted it, the link ended up broken and unusable. Out of curiosity, the educator copied and pasted the link into ChatGPT — and to their surprise, it automatically corrected the formatting and generated the proper link. Thanks to that quick fix, they were able to access and view the student’s project without any issues!
Should I be Using AI for this Specific Task?
Take a moment to explore the decision tree below—consider printing it out and displaying it in your classroom to promote thoughtful and responsible AI use among students!
Resource Recommendations
Discover valuable articles, books, courses, and websites that provide deeper insights into AI in education. Stay informed on the latest trends, tools, and strategies to integrate AI into teaching and learning effectively.
Discover how Artificial Intelligence is transforming education. From personalized learning and enhanced engagement to administrative efficiency and accessibility, AI is revolutionizing the educational landscape.
An extensive list of AI applications in education, including tools for classroom management, personalized learning, and content creation.
Sal Khan, the founder and CEO of Khan Academy, thinks artificial intelligence could spark the greatest positive transformation education has ever seen. He shares the opportunities he sees for students and educators to collaborate with AI tools -- including the potential of a personal AI tutor for every student and an AI teaching assistant for every teacher -- and demos some exciting new features for their educational chatbot, Khanmigo.
This article discusses how AI tools assist teachers in creating lesson plans and personalizing learning experiences.
This piece highlights how educators are leveraging AI for lesson planning and grading - leading to improved student engagement and work-life balance for educators.
Is there anything you'd like to share with the district?
Have important news, resources, or events that you want to share with the district? Help us bring awareness by contributing to the AI Task Force Resource Collection! Whether it’s an upcoming workshop, an insightful article, or innovative tools, we want to hear from you.
Click the link above to submit your resources and help us keep our district informed and engaged! 🚀🔗
Tips & Best Practices
Implement AI-driven platforms (IXL, Quizziz, Quizlet, Snorkl, MagicSchoolAI, Canva and more...) to provide personalized learning paths, helping students progress at their own pace and receive instant feedback.
Use AI to analyze primary source documents, literature, or historical data. Encourage students to critically assess AI-generated insights and explore different perspectives.
Leverage AI tools that analyze student performance data, helping yourself identify areas where students are struggling, and tailor interventions or instructional strategies accordingly.
Use AI in project-based learning to assist students in designing real-world solutions, whether in tech, engineering, or business fields. AI tools can support collaborative design, coding, or product development.
Incorporate discussions on the ethical use of AI in fields like medicine, education, and technology. For example, in science, students could explore how AI impacts medical research, or in history, how AI is reshaping society and politics.
Q&A or Ask an AI Expert
This form is designed to gather questions, curiosities, and concerns about AI in education. Whether you are new to AI or an experienced user, feel free to submit any questions you have. We will address them and provide answers to help everyone explore how AI can enhance teaching and learning.