AI Workshop 10/28/2025

Jumpstart Philly CS4All hosted their first AI Workshop in October 2025, where educators from the School District of Philadelphia and professors from Drexel University came together to teach other educators how AI can be utilized in the classroom.

Why is being AI-literate so important for educators? Over the last few years, with the surge of AI models such as Chat-GPT and Gemini, it is evident that AI will become the future of technology. Instead of ignoring it, understanding how we can use AI as a tool can help serve teachers to become better educators in the classroom. Our AI workshop went over the use of AI through three different parts.

Part 1: What is AI

We hear the word ‘AI’ being thrown around everywhere, but what exactly does it mean? Artificial Intelligence (AI) is defined as a computer program that attempts to mimic human intelligence. AI models such as Chat-GPT or Gemini use continuous input in order to try to provide responses that are both accurate and informative. Hence, AI is continuously improving and growing as models develop to become more advanced. 

Machine Learning (ML) are systems that use patterns found in data in order to create decisions without explicit programming. While AI and ML sound similar, they are not necessarily the same. Machine Learning is a subset of AI, and can often be considered as a method to develop and build AI.

Neural Networks is a term coined and inspired by the human brain. For each test of input and/or output, the weights and biases that control connections between neurons are adjusted in order to improve the accuracy of the model. 

Part 2: AI Tools

It’s no secret that AI has slowly integrated itself in education, and utilizing it in the classroom can transform how educators teach. These tools can help enhance teaching efficiency and help students learn content at a faster rate.

Benefits

• Saves Times: If you need help with basic tasks such as creating a schedule, organizing lesson plans, or visualizing tasks, you can use AI to help. This will leave teachers with more time teaching students.

• Increase Understanding of Concepts: If other students are having a difficult time understanding a concept, or are looking for alternative explanations, AI can help detect a student’s learning style in order to provide a different perspective. 

Tips for Efficient Use

• Be Specific: AI cannot read our minds, which is why it is important to specify what you need in order to receive the best possible output. By providing detailed prompts or clear goals, the output will be catered to your needs. 

• Break Down Tasks: Sometimes the AI might get ‘overwhelmed’ and may not provide as much quality output due to the complexity of the input. Instead, breaking down the prompt into smaller tasks can be easier for the AI to digest and provide a better response.

Part 3: AI With Students

Now that we know the benefits and ways we can use AI to its full capacity, how does this look in a classroom setting? There are three major ways you can use AI effectively with students:

• AI As A Tutor: Encourage students to use AI as a supplemental learning tool. When they struggle with a concept, AI can provide alternative explanations, practice problems, or immediate feedback.

• Open Communication: Create a classroom environment where students feel comfortable asking questions about AI.The best way to learn how to use it is by having students feel safe to engage with AI. 

• Set Clear Boundaries: Knowing what they can and can’t do can help set clear boundaries in the classroom. Telling them what are the appropriate uses of AI, academic integrity, and potential risks for cheating (including the consequences).