Teaching, Learning & Working with AI in Tahoma

Recommended General-Purpose Generative AI Tools

Teachers and students (over the age of 13) using AI should use Google's Gemini and/or Microsoft's CoPilot with their Tahoma Identity.

When used with your Tahoma Identity, Gemini and Copilot provide increased data protection and privacy compared to the consumer versions. This ensures that your data is not used to train the AI models, shared with third parties, or used for advertising purposes. This crucial distinction helps safeguard student and faculty information, maintaining a more secure and private environment for academic use.

What about ChatGPT, Claude, and other consumer AI tools--I've already been using those, is that not okay anymore?

That's a great question, and it's understandable that you've been using tools like ChatGPT and Claude. They're powerful and widely available.

While we don't strictly prohibit the use of other consumer AI tools, we strongly recommend and encourage you to use Gemini and CoPilot with your school accounts for school/work projects and tasks whenever you can. The primary reason for this recommendation is data privacy, safety and security. Our agreements with Google (for Gemini) and Microsoft (for Copilot) for our school accounts include robust data protection clauses. This means that your work and personally identifiable information entered into these tools through your school account are generally not used to train their public AI models, nor are they shared with third parties or used for advertising. This offers a significantly higher level of privacy and protection for sensitive school-related data and student information.

Consumer versions of tools like ChatGPT and Claude often have different data handling policies, which may allow your inputs to be used for model training or other purposes. By sticking to Gemini and Copilot through your school accounts, you're ensuring that we adhere to the highest standards of data security and privacy for our educational environment.

Now in Google Classroom: Gemini Tools

Read about the new AI tools embedded in Google Classroom for all teachers.

Coming Soon! Teachers can create and share Gems and NotebookLM with students allowing them to interact with AI in a safe, private, curated environment.

100+ ways to use Gemini and NotebookLM in education [Shared]

Generative AI Functionality Embedded in EdTech Tools

As AI capabilities become more integrated into popular edtech tools like Pear Deck, Edpuzzle, and Canva, it's essential for both teachers and students to understand how this functionality works. While these embedded AI features can significantly enhance learning and teaching by generating questions, providing instant feedback, or creating personalized content, users should still be mindful of data privacy, particularly regarding any sensitive student information. Always ensure that the AI features are used ethically and in alignment with school data privacy policies, prioritizing student well-being and data security. When in doubt, reach out to your instructional coach or the Instructional Technology Coordinator.

FAQ for Teachers & Staff

These FAQs were developed with the help of AI and reviewed by a human on June 10, 2025.

How can I effectively integrate generative AI into my daily workflow?

Think of AI as a powerful assistant. Use it to automate repetitive tasks, generate first drafts, analyze information, or brainstorm solutions. For example, you can use it to draft emails, summarize meeting notes, create content outlines, or even help with complex data analysis. Always review, refine, and add your professional judgment to anything an AI generates.

What are the ethical considerations I need to be aware of when using generative AI?

The core ethical considerations revolve around transparency, bias, and academic integrity. Always be transparent with students about when and how AI is being used. Be aware that AI models can perpetuate biases present in their training data, so critically review all AI-generated content for accuracy and fairness. Finally, set clear expectations with students regarding AI use on assignments to uphold academic integrity and ensure original thought.

How can I ensure data privacy and security when interacting with AI tools?

Always use your school account for Gemini and Copilot. Avoid inputting any Personally Identifiable Information (PII) of students, staff, or families into any AI tool, especially consumer versions. Do not input confidential school records, sensitive communications, or proprietary information into AI tools unless explicitly approved and secured by IT. When in doubt, err on the side of caution and do not input the data.

Where can I get more training or support for using AI tools effectively?

We will be providing ongoing training sessions and resources on using AI tools safely and effectively within our district. Please look out for announcements regarding workshops, resources, and best practice guides. Don't hesitate to reach out to your EdTech Teacher Leaders, Instructional Coach or the Instructional Technology Coordinator if you have specific questions or need help.

What about the environmental impacts of Gen AI use I've been hearing about?

It's true that generative AI, particularly large language models, can have a significant environmental footprint due to the substantial computing power required for both training and ongoing use. This demand leads to increased electricity consumption, which in turn can contribute to carbon emissions and even require significant water for data center cooling. While the industry is actively working on more energy-efficient models and renewable energy solutions for data centers, we can do our part by being mindful of our usage and prioritizing purposeful use. Remember, just because you can create an image of a bear with a unicorn flying over Lake Wilderness doesn't mean you should.

I'm a teacher--can I use the free version of an AI tool I found for education?

We understand the excitement around tools like MagicSchool, SchoolAI, Brisk Teaching, etc. However, with the new AI capabilities now integrated directly into Google Classroom we are prioritizing using these built-in Google AI features for several important reasons:

Enhanced Privacy, Safety & Security: Google Workspace for Education AI tools are designed with K-12 data privacy and safety commitments, offering robust protection for student information. This is a critical advantage over many free third-party tools.
Seamless Integration: These AI features work seamlessly within the Google ecosystem you already use, streamlining workflows for lesson planning, content creation, and more, saving you time and effort.
District Focus & Support: We are focusing our professional development and support on these integrated Google AI tools to ensure you get the most out of them. We do not have the capacity to support other 3rd-party tools.

Google's 30+ AI tools in Classroom not only support teachers in their tasks, they also include teacher-led AI experiences for students, reflecting Google’s continued efforts to provide more safe, responsible AI tools that also give students agency to learn in the ways that work best for them. We're monitoring developments for future student-facing AI experiences within the Google ecosystem.

If you find a specific instructional need that isn't met through Google Classroom's AI tools, please let our team know so we can discuss and learn together!

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