The Language of AI: E16 - When Should Students Use AI?

Fellow Educators,

Artificial intelligence is becoming an" “integral part” of education, but should all students use AI in the same way? In this newsletter I will look at this important question from my experience and based on my Opinion on the topic. I am not rooted in any deep academic research (Yes I do have a B.Ed) but rather an approach from my extensive use of AI and discernment about how my own kids may use AI now and in the future.

To approach this conversation I am utilizing the 4W’s framework I developed to help educators and students alike, shine a light on their use and impact of AI use on their lives/process/experience. As we apply the 4W’s Framework (What You Gain, What You Lose, What You Don’t Practice, What You Access), it’s important to consider how students at different ages learn and develop skills.

Not all learners benefit from AI in the same way. Younger students require foundational skills, while older students can leverage AI more strategically. My recommendation is a tiered approach to AI use based on age and learning outcomes to ensure that AI enhances education rather than replaces critical learning experiences.

AI Use by Developmental Stage

Elementary School (Grades K-5): AI as an Observational Tool, Not a Generator - if at all

🚫 No AI use for content generation or analysis
👀 Observation-based interaction with AI tools

If use, use education Courseware like Khan Academy or other Educational AI tools where AI has an educational wrapper around it with more guardrails.

At this stage, students are developing core cognitive, literacy, and problem-solving skills. You know your students best as they learn through hands-on experiences, direct instruction, and critical thinking exercises, not through AI-generated content.

🔹 What They Gain: Awareness of AI as a tool, exposure to technology.
🔹 What They Lose: Nothing significant since AI is not replacing foundational learning.
🔹 What They Don’t Practice: If AI is introduced too early, it can replace critical learning processes like handwriting, spelling, and basic math problem-solving.
🔹 What They Access: Understanding of how AI works rather than using it as a shortcut.

💡 Best Practice: If your school is going to use, AI can be introduced as a concept rather than as a tool but at this age is mainly teachers who could be interacting with AI vs K-5 Students

Middle School (Grades 6-8): AI as a Learning Assistant, Not a Replacement - With Careful Discernment

⚖️ Limited AI use for research, organization, and guided learning

If use, use education Courseware like Khan Academy or other Educational AI tools where AI has an educational wrapper around it with more guardrails.

Middle school students begin developing higher-order thinking skills, but they still need structured learning experiences. AI should be used as a supplemental tool, not as a primary source of answers.

🔹 What They Gain: Help with organization, exposure to AI-powered tutoring, idea brainstorming.
🔹 What They Lose: Potential reliance on AI-generated explanations without developing deep comprehension.
🔹 What They Don’t Practice: If overused, AI may prevent students from developing independent research and writing skills.
🔹 What They Access: The ability to interact with AI critically, using it to enhance but not replace their own learning.

💡 Best Practice: AI should be used for guided learning (e.g., AI-powered math hints or reading comprehension tools), but not for direct answer generation in writing or problem-solving.

High School (Grades 9-12): AI as a Research and Refinement Tool

This is where it gets a bit dicey!

🛠 Expanded AI use for research, writing improvement, and problem-solving

If use, use education Courseware like Khan Academy or other Educational AI tools where AI has an educational wrapper around it with more guardrails. Using tools that are direct to source like ChatGPT or Claude require more user knowledge in prompting.

High school students begin engaging in complex analysis, argumentation, and research, making AI a more viable tool if used responsibly. Considering level of maturity, skillset and understanding of these students I am still so cautious of HOW they should us AI.

🔹 What They Gain: Research support, writing feedback, structured brainstorming.
🔹 What They Lose: If used excessively, AI-generated insights can overshadow personal analysis and creativity.
🔹 What They Don’t Practice: Over-reliance on AI may hinder independent critical thinking and the ability to synthesize information.
🔹 What They Access: Advanced research tools, structured writing assistance, and content organization skills.

💡 Best Practice: AI could be used for idea generation, refinement, and structural guidance, but students must be required to engage in independent thinking and verification.

College and Beyond: AI as a Strategic Efficiency Tool

🚀 Advanced AI use for productivity, complex problem-solving, and professional applications

At the college level, students are expected to apply critical thinking, research methodologies, and independent reasoning. AI could serve as an enhancement tool, not a crutch.

🔹 What They Gain: Productivity, research expansion, assistance in complex writing and coding tasks.
🔹 What They Lose: The potential erosion of deep independent work if overused.
🔹 What They Don’t Practice: If AI generates too much of their work, students may not develop original research, deep analytical skills, or nuanced writing abilities.
🔹 What They Access: The ability to use AI strategically, integrating it into their professional and academic workflows.

💡 Best Practice: AI can be used for data analysis, content summarization, and high-level research but students must critically evaluate AI outputs and refine them with personal insights.

Applying the 4W’s Framework to AI in Education

When intentionally aligning AI use with developmental stages, we at least have a better change that students use AI intentionally rather than blindly relying on it.

• Elementary students no use or foundational AI literacy ONLY.

• Middle school students can use AI as a limited study tool - carefully.

• High school students can use AI for research and writing refinement.

• College students can integrate AI as a strategic tool in complex work.

When students and educators reflect on the 4W’s (Gain, Lose, Not Practice, Access), you have a more sound balance of AI’s benefits with long-term learning goals.

Final Thoughts - AI Should Evolve With the Learner

Rather than a one-size-fits-all approach to AI in education, we should adopt tiered AI integration that aligns with students’ cognitive development knowing that there will be NO one size fits all use case or application.

✔️ AI should support learning, not replace it.
✔️ AI use should align with students’ skill-building needs.
✔️ AI should be a tool for critical thinking, not a shortcut to answers.

Thanks for taking the time to be part of a positive change in education compared to simply burying your heads in the sand.

Cheers,
Matthew