AI Tools for Educators

This website explores the intersection of digital and critical pedagogy in the context of AI tools in education. There is a pressing need to address the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in the classroom. AI will create a divide: between those who can use the tools well, those who cannot, those who have access versus those who do not, and those who are undercut by algorithms versus those who are not. (ainow.org) By learning AI tools, educators can not only enhance their performance but teach these tools effectively.  Educators must promote equitable access to AI tools, foster critical thinking skills, and ensure the responsible and ethical integration of AI technologies in education. Drawing upon the influential critical pedagogy works of Paulo Freire and Audrey Watters, this site hopes to promote the ethical use of AI tools to create an inclusive educational environment that empowers both educators and students.

Paulo Freire's Pedagogy of the Oppressed serves as a guiding light. Access to tools is critical for education, and we must advocate against the perpetuation of AI segregation based on zip codes, school types, socioeconomic status, tech monopolies, and biased algorithms. Paid tools should not create barriers but instead should be made accessible to all in education. Freire's insights underscore the importance of providing equal opportunities for all students, irrespective of their background, through free access to tools and software. By eliminating gatekeeping practices, we can bridge the digital divide and create a more inclusive educational landscape (Freire 2000).

There is an urgent need to define what is AI plagiarism. Plagiarism is best combated by avoiding the banking model of education of depositing information into students but instead using problem-posing, real-world, critical analysis in discussions between students and educators that lead to real-world solutions (Duncan-Andrade & Morrell 2008).  Teachers who know their students' writing styles, and thinking, and ask for writing that promotes critical thinking through the reflection of personal experience can avoid the pitfalls of AI plagiarism. Freire's Pedagogy of Hope: Reliving Pedagogy of the Oppressed inspires us to evaluate and update our teaching practices, shifting the focus from rote learning and recall skills towards cultivating critical thinking abilities. In the era of AI, it is crucial to leverage AI tools to enhance critical thinking rather than replace human thought (2000). By engaging students in meaningful dialogue and encouraging them to question and evaluate AI-generated content, we empower them to become critical consumers and creators of knowledge.