The age-old question in education is: Are we preparing students for the world they'll inherit—or the one we grew up in? Lately, what's on many educators' minds is whether artificial intelligence is a healthy addition to our classrooms, or a shortcut that risks students' real learning. Will AIs do the hard work for students, or help them learn how to do it themselves?
Let me share what I've seen. AI is a powerful tool—no doubt about it. From
drafting essays to solving math problems, it can speed up student work and offer instant feedback. But like any tool, its true value depends on how we use it. If students rely on AI to finish every assignment, we risk turning learning into a passive process. But if we use AI to model thinking, suggest strategies, and support problem-solving, it becomes an ally—not a crutch.
I encourage students to use AI as a brainstorming partner. For example, ask the AI to
outline a story, then have the student write the first draft. Or use an AI to check the logic of a science hypothesis, but require students to explain any corrections in their own words. The key is transparency and reflection—students should always be able to describe what they learned, not just what they produced. For more on integrating technology in a healthy, balanced way, see the Ask a Tech Teacher blog.
Quick Tech Tip:
Looking for ways to help students distinguish between using AI as a shortcut and as a learning partner? Try this: When assigning a project, ask students to submit a brief reflection on how they used technology or AI in their process. Not only does it build digital citizenship, it helps you spot who is engaging with the material and who is letting the AI do
the heavy lifting.
For more structured support, our K-8 Keyboard Curricula is designed to build foundational tech skills—so students are comfortable navigating digital tools, but still doing the thinking themselves.
Two Newsletter Specials: Until May 24, 2026
Through May 24th, get the MS All-in-one Tech Kit for $99 (reg. $139). This bundle includes lesson plans, student workbooks, and teacher manuals for seamless tech integration in grades 6-8. Perfect for schools building a future-ready curriculum.
Need a quick classroom boost? Download free tech ed posters to reinforce digital citizenship and tech skills—no sign-up required.
Here's a preview of what's coming up on Ask a Tech Teacher this month: new strategies for balancing AI and authentic learning,
plus a spotlight on project-based learning in STEM. If you missed last month's most-read posts, catch up in the archive.
Fresh Lesson Plan Ideas:
Looking for themed lesson plans to spark your classes? Explore our lesson plan bundles—perfect for K-8 classrooms.
Questions? Go ahead and ask! I love tech ed questions. You can either reply to this newsletter or contact me via email.
