Reformulated Title: Middle School English Writing Guided by Artificial Intelligence
Bill Henry, an 8th-grade English teacher at Amity Middle School in Orange, Connecticut, is leading the way in incorporating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into classroom writing exercises. His approach exemplifies best practices for using AI, viewing it as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for student effort.
Henry uses AI to assist with grammar and language editing, ensuring students understand the difference between using AI for language polishing and substantive writing or content creation. He encourages students to document how AI was used, promoting transparency and preventing plagiarism.
Critical engagement is another key aspect of Henry's teaching method. He encourages students to reflect on when and why AI edits should be accepted or modified, a practice that strengthens writing and critical thinking skills.
The teacher combines AI tools with personalised teacher input, similar to how educators in Newark tailor AI outputs to student interests. This approach makes exercises more engaging and relevant, ensuring students receive a well-rounded education.
Promoting accountability is also essential in Henry's teaching approach. Students are required to provide examples and records of AI interaction in their writing process, reinforcing academic honesty.
In summary, Henry integrates AI as an augmentative educational aid. It enhances grammar correction, provides scaffolding for students, and supports metacognitive skills within writing exercises—all combined with ethical guidelines and teacher facilitation to maintain authorship integrity and critical engagement.
Contrary to fears that AI will make English teacher jobs obsolete, Henry believes it can be used to help develop writers and integrate technology as a tool. Initially, students may think AI refers to platforms like Chat or Snap AI, but the approved district platforms are used instead.
The AI platform is used to guide writing exercises, emphasising thought and creativity. Some students tried to override the AI with inappropriate prompts, but ultimately met the lesson objective. Many students expressed interest in using AI for further assignments.
Henry stresses that AI is not meant to replace thinking, but assist students in pushing their own thinking further. He believes using approved AI from the start allows students to accomplish more than using AI on their phones or separate tabs.
In an 8th-grade lesson, students create prompts for the AI and revise their prompts based on AI feedback. AI can provide live feedback for students that supplements teacher feedback. Henry's school uses an AI platform that allows teachers to control how the AI interacts with students.
Initially, students thought AI was a way to cheat, but they became more enthusiastic when they saw it as a tool for improving writing and getting live feedback. Henry also teaches at Quinnipiac University and has used AI with college students for outlining and structuring work.
The use of AI in Henry's teaching approach prepares students for a world where AI will likely play an increasingly important role. Students generate multiple theme statements using the AI and select the one that best fits their book. Henry's innovative approach to AI in the classroom is a testament to his commitment to fostering a future-ready education.
- Bill Henry, being an 8th-grade English teacher, is integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the school curriculum, particularly in writing exercises, to serve as a supportive tool, not as a replacement for student effort.
- The teacher emphasizes students' understanding of AI usage by making them document how AI was used in their work, promoting transparency and preventing plagiarism.
- Critical engagement is a vital aspect of Henry's teaching method, encouraging students to recall when and why AI edits should be accepted or modified, enhancing both writing and critical thinking skills.
- Henry combines AI tools with personalized teacher input, ensuring the exercises are interactive, engaging, and tailored to each student's needs—a similar approach adopted in Newark schools.
- The innovative use of AI in Henry's education and self-development platform contributes to preparing students for a future where technology, like artificial intelligence, is expected to play a significant role, thereby fostering a future-ready education.
