In response to the increasing presence of AI in education, teachers in the United States are rethinking their approaches to classroom instruction and assessment. This transformation is particularly evident in cities like San Francisco, where educators are innovating to ensure students engage deeply with learning.
Tristen Chang, a sixth-grade teacher, has eliminated traditional take-home essays in favor of oral exams that encourage students to articulate their understanding of literature. "There’s been a long march of technology changing teaching, but AI is the most drastic," Chang noted.
Innovative Assessment Strategies
AI has definitely changed not just how students do math, but how I teach it.
Bobson Wong, High School Math Teacher
- Increased in-class writing and discussions.
- Focus on assessing critical thinking over rote answers.
With students often resorting to AI for homework help, educators are shifting more assessments to classroom settings. Teachers like Rusty Shabe are dedicating class time to writing projects, allowing them to monitor student progress closely.
Research indicates mixed effects of AI on learning. A 2025 study from Harvard found that AI tutors can enhance student engagement, while an MIT study suggested that reliance on AI might reduce critical thinking.
In New York, Meghan Hyland has adjusted her grading methods to prioritize in-class assessments, recognizing the need for real-time evaluation of students' critical thinking skills. Her creative assignments include cooking demonstrations that reflect themes from literature.
Some educators are also pushing back against technology, opting for traditional pen-and-paper methods. Rex Ovalle, a Chicago-area teacher, limits screen use in favor of hands-on learning experiences.
Embracing AI as a Tool
While many teachers express concern about AI misuse, others are finding ways to integrate it into their classrooms effectively. Michael Zagari, for instance, uses AI to adjust historical texts for different reading levels and to streamline research processes.
Zagari highlights the importance of teaching students how to use AI responsibly, paralleling lessons on internet safety. He believes that as AI becomes a permanent fixture in education, students must learn to navigate it with civic responsibility.