Teachers and technology experts say the fast pace of artificial intelligence development, combined with Ottawa’s aim to make the technology available for all Canadians, needs a consistent framework so students don’t fall behind.
Educators are grappling with how best to incorporate AI in their classrooms while fostering critical thinking and intellectual honesty.
It’s a challenge that has yielded mixed results.
Some schools have embraced digital-forward education, and others are struggling to keep up.
“There’s a lot of concerns around (AI), but there’s not a lot of policy that you’re seeing at the jurisdictional level, at school boards or at government,” said Jason Schilling, president of the Alberta Teachers’ Association.
“Sometimes it feels a little bit like the Wild West. It’s just sort of creating these things and trying to keep up with artificial intelligence because it changes so rapidly.”
Integrating AI in classrooms has largely been left up to school districts.
“It leads to less consistency across the education system when everybody’s doing their own thing,” said Michelle Carlos with the Pembina Trails School Division in Winnipeg.
It developed its own AI guidelines about two years ago, after waiting for guidance from governments that didn’t come.
It hasn’t opened up AI tools on student networks, but they are available for teachers.
The division recognizes students can use AI outside of school, so it encourages teachers to provide clear instructions on when AI should and shouldn’t be used for assignments.
“It can be a ‘thought partner’ but not a ‘work doer,'” said Carlos.
Developing AI policy takes time and resources, she said. Schools are also asked to be innovative but balance the risks that may come with innovation.
She supports developing national or provincial frameworks to help lead the work.
Tracy Schmidt, Manitoba’s education minister, said her department is currently developing guiding principles on AI to help schools make “thoughtful, ethical and safe decisions.”
