AI in Education Final Project Topic and Annotated Bibliography

 As I started to think about my final project, the topic of AI use in education immediately came to mind as a topic I would want to research. An initial research question was “In what ways can AI tools be used to personalize learning experiences for students with diverse learning needs and preferences? As a 4th grade teacher, I am always looking for ways to enhance creativity and learning for my students. I even had the opportunity this year to pilot MagicSchool AI in my district. This is a fascinating and growing topic that could offer practical and transformative applications for my teaching practices. 

Generative AI uses algorithms to create new content such as text and art. It is an emerging technology that shows great promise for its use in education. This topic can engage students’ imagination and creativity by providing tools that for example can help students create stories by providing suggestions for plot and character development. This can increase student engagement in the writing process and reduce some of the intimidation students may feel when starting the writing process. AI can also provide personalized learning experiences that can keep students motivated and engaged. By adapting to student learning styles, AI can provide a more tailored educational experience, ensuring that all students remain interested and invested in their learning.

Incorporating AI tools that help with storytelling can make writing assignments more exciting for students as these tools can provide prompts and suggestions that help students to develop their own ideas and grow creatively. AI art tools can open new doors for art projects by aiding students in the creation of digital art, experimenting with new techniques, and collaborating on their projects. It can even engage students who may not consider themselves “naturally” artistic. Implementation of these AI learning platforms can also help me to differentiate and tailor instruction to meet the diverse needs of my students. It can help me identify ways to challenge and support my students where needed. These tools can also assist with grading and providing feedback, which is beneficial for teachers who are already pressed for time, resulting in teachers having more time to engage in direct instruction and student interaction.

The potential of generative AI in the classroom is extensive and exciting. By exploring this topic, I hope to find innovative ways to enhance creativity, engagement, and learning outcomes for my 4th-grade students. Incorporating AI into my teaching practice could transform the way I approach education, making learning more personalized and enjoyable for my students. As I start researching the topic of AI in education, I look forward to discovering new strategies and tools that can transform my classroom and better support my students' educational growth.

Bender, S. M. (2024). Awareness of Artificial Intelligence as an Essential Digital Literacy: ChatGPT and Gen-AI in the Classroom. Changing English, 31(2), 161–174. https://doi-org.sunyempire.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/1358684X.2024.2309995

This article explores the integration of generative AI into English education. It addresses public and academic interest, examining both the transformative potential and challenges of generative AI in educational settings. The focus is on how English teachers can use generative AI to enrich learning beyond writing skills, emphasizing digital literacy. While acknowledging ethical concerns such as plagiarism, equity, and access, the article argues for the productive use of generative AI to enhance lessons. It addresses the urgent need for thoughtful engagement with this technology.

The article provides a balanced and insightful examination of Gen-AI's role in education, presenting a compelling argument for its integration while acknowledging potential limitations. This aligns closely with my research on using generative AI to enhance creativity and personalized learning in the 4th-grade classroom. The focus on digital literacy and the productive use of AI tools to support different aspects of learning offers valuable insights for my research of AI's impact on students' engagement and creativity.

Rudra, S. (2023, March 30). Chatgpt in education: The pros, cons and unknowns of Generative AI. EdTech. https://edtechmagazine.com/k12/article/2023/03/chatgpt-in-education-generative-ai-perfcon

This article explores the impact of ChatGPT on education since its release. It discusses the contrasted responses from the academic community, addressing both potential benefits and concerns. The article explains how ChatGPT generates content from text prompts and emphasizes the importance of understanding its limitations. Ethical concerns, such as plagiarism and systemic biases in AI training data, are explored, as well as strategies for responsible AI use in classrooms. Despite challenges, many educators see potential in using Generative AI tools to enhance learning and support student tasks. These educators also advocate for teaching students about AI's ethical implications and practical applications.

The article provides a great overview of ChatGPT's educational impact, presenting valuable insights for my research on integrating generative AI in a 4th-grade classroom. The discussion on both the benefits and challenges of AI use in education aligns well with my focus on enhancing creativity and personalized learning. The detailed assessment of ethical considerations and practical applications can inform strategies for effectively and responsibly incorporating AI tools in my teaching practices.

Fisk, R. (2023, Spring). The rise of chatgpt and generative a.i. and what it means for schools, AASA Journal of Scholarship & Practice. https://web-p-ebscohost-com.sunyempire.idm.oclc.org/ehost/detail/detail?vid=9&sid=ffaf48db-b0b4-4221-bacf-85c4eb37aefc%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3D%3D#AN=163032231&db=eue

This article discusses the rapid development and potential uses of generative AI in educational settings. It discusses the capabilities of AI to generate text, images, and other content from prompts and examines both the potential and limitations of these technologies in classrooms. The article addresses ethical concerns like plagiarism and equity and discusses various approaches schools are taking toward AI, from bans to careful observation. It stresses the importance of digital literacy and argues that AI tools can enhance personalized learning and reduce teacher workloads. However, these tools require clear, specific prompts to be effective. The article calls for educators to adjust to AI's capabilities while maintaining critical thinking and creativity in teaching.

This article gives a comprehensive overview of the benefits and challenges of integrating generative AI in education. The detailed discussion on ethical considerations and practical applications aligns with my research on using generative AI to enhance creativity and personalized learning in a 4th-grade classroom. The insights on adapting teaching practices to leverage AI's strengths while addressing its limitations provide valuable guidance for looking at AI's impact on students' engagement and educational outcomes.

Castro, G. P. B., Chiappe, A., Rodriguez, D. F. B., & Sepulveda, F. G. (2024). Harnessing AI for education 4.0: Drivers of Personalized Learning. Electronic Journal of e-Learning. https://academic-publishing.org/index.php/ejel/article/view/3467

This literature review explores the connection between personalized learning and AI within the context of modern education. The review synthesizes findings from relevant studies published between 2013 and 2022. It identifies key drivers of personalized learning, emphasizing the importance of individual student characteristics, personalized content delivery, customized assessment, and adaptive learning environments. The review features AI's role in developing these drivers through resources such as automated learner profiling, adaptive content recommendation, and real-time assessment. It also discusses challenges including educator competencies, theoretical frameworks, and ethical considerations like data privacy and bias. Overall, the review provides valuable insights into leveraging AI for personalized learning, intending to maximize educational relevance and potential in the digital world.

This article offers an analysis of personalized learning enhanced by AI, aligning closely with my research interest in leveraging technology to enhance educational practices and personalized learning experiences. The benefits and challenges of AI-driven personalized learning can help inform strategies for effectively integrating such technologies in classrooms. Understanding the implications and recommendations provided in the review will aid in exploring how AI can support tailored educational experiences for 4th-grade students.

Hardwick, B. (2023). How AI can support effective teaching practice. mETAphor. https://web-p-ebscohost-com.sunyempire.idm.oclc.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=20&sid=ffaf48db-b0b4-4221-bacf-85c4eb37aefc%40redis

This article explores integrating AI into educational practices to enhance teaching effectiveness. It challenges the currently accepted narrative of AI as a threat to academic integrity by showing how educators can use AI to improve learning outcomes. The article illustrates practical applications of AI in teaching: from combining complex concepts for students and adapting content for different reading levels to generating model texts and anticipating student errors for instructional feedback. The article advocates for AI as a tool that enables educators to streamline lesson planning, personalize instruction, and promote deeper student engagement. It addresses the potential of AI not only to support classroom teaching but also to encourage critical thinking and writing skills that are fundamental for student success in modern education.

This article aligns with my interest in researching innovative uses of AI in education to enhance tailored teaching practices and student learning outcomes. It provides significant insights into how AI can be applied in classrooms, addressing challenges such as personalized learning and effective instructional design. Understanding the strategies outlined will inform my research on integrating AI into educational settings, focusing on its potential benefits and ethical considerations for optimizing student engagement and academic achievement.