The Language of AI: E26 - Teaching with Integrity in the Age of AI

A Semester of Trust, Expectations, and Learning

Author

Matthew Schonewille
June 25, 2025

Fellow Educators,

I just published a piece in Christian Scholar's Review about an “experiment” I ran this past semester. Instead of banning AI in my classes, I decided to allow it with clear boundaries and see what would happen. (Link to the Article below)

Image Credit - Christian Scholars Review

The results were fascinating and not what I expected.

******A caveat, this was undergrad level students not grade school or high school BUT I would be really interesting in looking at this concept with that age range****

In my first-year course, students performed just as well on the final exam (without AI) as they did throughout the semester (with AI access). But in my advanced fourth-year course, there was a significant drop in final exam performance, revealing that some students had relied too heavily on AI and missed the deeper learning.

The key insight: When students use AI to bypass real learning, carefully designed assessments will reveal the gap. But when they use it as a tool while still doing the cognitive work, they retain what they've learned.

Rather than treating students as adversaries to monitor, I approached them as adults capable of moral reasoning. Sometimes that trust was rewarded, sometimes it wasn't—but both outcomes taught us something important about integrity and learning.

As Christian educators, our goal isn't just to prevent dishonesty but to form character and help students understand why integrity matters.

You can read the full article [here] where I explain the pedagogical approach and what it means for teaching in the age of AI.

Side note: A little plug for a major project I am working on that will benefit you soon.

I’ve been listening closely to all your requests for AI training and PD and I’m building something just for YOU.

✨ Soon, you’ll have one place for all things AI in education:
Workshops, resources, and real-world strategies designed to support your classroom and leadership needs that is accessible, practical, and created with love from the work we’ve already started together.

👀 Stay tuned… it’s coming soon.

Would love to hear your thoughts!

Cheers,
Matthew

Matthew Schonewille

Today, as the digital education landscape continues to evolve, Matthew remains at the forefront, guiding educators, students, and professionals through the intricate dance of technology and learning.

With a relentless drive to expand access to helpful AI in education resources and a visionary approach to teaching and entrepreneurship, Matthew not only envisions a future where learning knows no bounds but is also actively building it.