Examining AI's Interaction via Artificial "Romantic Encounters" for Guided Integration
York School Department has taken a significant step forward in integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into its curriculum by launching an AI lab. The lab, designed for student exploration and experimentation, provides a broad spectrum of AI-related tools curated based on students' interests and needs.
Before the AI lab was opened to students, the tools were vetted by staff to ensure their legitimacy. The lab features 10 different stations, each equipped with various AI tools for students to interact with. Four adults are always present during the AI lab sessions to monitor student use and redirect them to appropriate uses if necessary.
The AI lab encourages students to reflect on how AI tools can be used appropriately, enhance learning, and potential concerns or hiccups. Before introducing any AI tool to students, staff at York School Department run through the lab to identify any potential issues.
To implement the AI lab, an "AI Speed Dating" approach was adopted. This approach involves short, iterative sessions where students rapidly engage with diverse AI tools, concepts, or problems in a dynamic, interactive format. Students rotate through the lab, spending short intervals at each station.
Each AI micro-experience or station involves different AI technologies or tasks such as natural language processing, computer vision, programming AI models, or AI-driven creativity tools. Strict time limits are set for each interaction to maintain pace and engagement.
The AI lab also integrates experiential learning with personalized AI feedback, leveraging AI’s capability to analyze performance or learning patterns and provide real-time guidance to students. This heightens motivation and iterative improvement.
Collaboration and creativity are encouraged by mixing individual tasks with small-group experiments, allowing peer learning and creative solution crafting inspired by AI-enhanced challenges. Reflection and synthesis sessions are held at the end to consolidate learning, discuss insights gained across different AI interactions, and ideate improvements or applications.
Immersive or augmented reality elements have been considered to deepen understanding of AI concepts. The AI lab at York School Department ensures that all AI tools used have signed the statewide student data privacy agreement. Parental consent is required for some AI tools used in the lab, and generic accounts are pre-signed into all AI tools to prevent students from accidentally signing in with personal accounts.
The students are reminded not to enter any personal identifiable information into the AI tools. Inappropriate prompts are used to test AI tools in the lab to ensure appropriate output. The safety and privacy of the students are a priority in the AI lab, with a strong understanding of safety practices and parental consent.
The creation of the AI lab at York School Department was a response to teachers wanting to get ahead of students using AI and explore different AI tools and interview people in the community using AI for good work. By asking students about their AI-related interests, vetting and learning the AI tools themselves, and creating a safe and secure learning environment, educators at York School Department have been able to introduce learners to a broad spectrum of AI-related tools.
[1] [Citation for experiential education boosting student engagement and innovation] [2] [Citation for AI's synergy with experiential education] [3] [Citation for the development of computational thinking and entrepreneurial mindset relevant to AI's evolving educational landscape] [4] [Citation for the "speed dating" approach in education]
- The AI lab at York School Department, designed for student exploration and experimentation, encourages teachers and students to reflect on how various AI tools can be used appropriately for enhancing learning, while addressing potential concerns or hiccups.
- To maintain pace and engagement, the AI lab employs an "AI Speed Dating" approach, where students rapidly engage with diverse AI tools, concepts, or problems in a dynamic, interactive format, rotating through multiple stations within the lab.
- In addition to personalized AI feedback, the AI lab integrates collaborative activities, encouraging students to work together in small groups, learning from each other, and crafting creative solutions inspired by AI-enhanced challenges.
- Following safety and privacy regulations, the AI lab ensures that all AI tools used have signed the statewide student data privacy agreement, and required parental consent is obtained for certain AI tools, with generic accounts pre-signed into all AI tools to prevent students from accidentally signing in with personal accounts.
