Transcript

 

Welcome

Tytiauna: Hi everyone. I want to welcome you to our conversation on AI and education. Before we dive in, let’s go ahead and introduce ourselves. I’ll start. My name is Tytiauna Goode. I am currently an afterschool program coordinator. I used to be a middle school ELA teacher, and I’ve spent time researching AI and how it can be incorporated in education. I specifically want to focus on bringing professional development opportunities to coordinators so they can use AI to reduce burnout and stress.

So why don’t we start with Raul. Why don’t you tell me a little bit about yourself and your research?

Raul: Hi. My name is Raul Morales. I’m an eighth-grade social studies teacher at Brown Middle School in Corpus Christi, Texas. My research focused on using AI tutors in the classroom to gauge overall effectiveness and see if it can make life easier for both students and teachers.

Jasmine: Hello. My name is Jasmine, and I’m a middle school ELA teacher. I teach sixth grade at EF Green Junior High in Baytown, Texas. My research is about how AI can help secondary ELA teachers with grading, feedback, and student engagement—moving beyond just paper and pencil tasks.

Tytiauna: Awesome. I think it’s really cool that we’re all focusing on AI for our research. That’s not a coincidence—it really is the newest thing. So the next question I want to get into is: why do you think AI matters right now?

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Why AI Matters

Jasmine: I think AI matters a lot right now because teachers are stretched thin. AI can help us spend more time on meaningful instruction and less on repetitive tasks. Teachers often burn out from grading the same way, carrying papers home, and meeting deadlines. With AI, we have more freedom to focus on instruction and avoid burnout. There are so many tools that can help with grading, feedback, and making sure neither teachers nor students get overwhelmed.

Raul: That’s a good answer. I think AI is important because of where it’s headed. The potential is huge. I’ve seen examples online of AI generating presentations, lesson plans, grading help, even seating charts. By making tasks easier, it reduces stress and burnout—like you mentioned, Tytiauna. It allows us to focus more on our students and less on clerical work.

Jasmine: I agree with Raul. Teachers can get burned out, and AI really helps reduce that. It’s becoming something people rely on for learning.

Tytiauna: Yes, both of you hit the nail on the head. For me, that’s part of why I left teaching. When I was about to have my first baby, I couldn’t manage the workload and be the parent I wanted to be. At that time, AI wasn’t even an option. Now it’s something I use daily, and it truly reduces repetitive tasks and burnout. My research has shown that technology—and AI specifically—can significantly reduce teacher workload. And with the teacher shortage we’re facing, that matters a lot.

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Classroom Applications

Jasmine: In my classroom, I use Google Classroom. Students upload their work, and I can give real-time feedback. I can point out missing punctuation or forgotten details as they write. Parents also get updates, which helps keep everyone accountable. It’s an AI-powered tool that makes grading and communication much easier.

Raul: For me, I’ve been using Magic School AI tutors. I was introduced to it during a tech meeting here in Corpus. Differentiation is hard, especially with large classes and inclusion students. The AI tutor helped me give more individualized support. I even created prompts aligned to TEKS and uploaded them into Canvas. Students struggled at first, but the tool guided them well. History requires more critical thinking, but seeing students engage with the “robot,” as they call it, showed me the potential.

Tytiauna: That’s great. For me, in afterschool programs, I often have 2nd–5th graders in the same class. I use AI to create modified lessons for each grade level while still letting students work together. Another big help has been translation. Many of my families speak Spanish from different regions, and AI helps me translate in ways that parents actually understand. That’s been a game-changer for family engagement.

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Research Findings

Tytiauna: So what’s one surprising or powerful finding from your research?

Tytiauna (continued): For me, it was data privacy. Teachers are already nervous about technology, and now we’re asking them to share data with AI systems. Where does that information go? That concern kept showing up in my research, and it’s something we don’t yet have clear answers for.

Jasmine: One surprising finding for me was that AI feedback actually encouraged more writing, not less. Students didn’t see it as a shortcut but as a tool. But I also learned the timing of feedback matters. If AI gives instant answers, it can encourage laziness. Students still need to think critically and find evidence, not just rely on quick responses.

Raul: I had a similar experience. My students expected the AI tutor to give them answers right away, like Google. They were frustrated when it asked them questions instead. I had to explain that the goal is for them to think, not just copy answers. That adjustment was eye-opening.

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Gaps in Research

Raul: One challenge I ran into is that most AI research is in STEM, not social studies. History involves more critical thinking, so the applications aren’t as straightforward. There’s a lot of potential, but also a lack of studies, especially in diverse or rural areas.

Tytiauna: Yes, I noticed that too. Many studies are done in more affluent areas. I had to piece together research on AI in teaching and combine it with studies on burnout in afterschool coordinators. There’s definitely a need for more holistic and inclusive research.

Jasmine: Agreed. I’ve seen that too—veteran teachers especially struggle with adopting AI. It takes training and encouragement to get them to try new tools.

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Looking Ahead

Tytiauna: Raul, how do you think AI will change the role of educators in the next 5–10 years?

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Raul: Honestly, there’s a possibility that traditional teachers may not always be needed in the same way. If AI becomes advanced enough, it could handle direct instruction. But I still believe teachers are essential for building relationships and guiding students. Our role will shift more toward mentoring, counseling, and supporting students as whole people.

 

Tytiauna: I agree. AI may handle lessons, but it can’t replace the hands-on, relational aspects of teaching. Teachers are still critical.

 

Jasmine: Exactly. AI is a great tool, but students still need human teachers. It’s about balance. We don’t want kids to become overly dependent on AI.

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Closing Thoughts

Tytiauna: To close, what’s one simple way an educator could start using AI tomorrow?

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Raul: Just ask it a question. You’ll be surprised how one question leads to another. Start small. I recommend Claude, but any AI tool works.

Tytiauna: I agree with that.

Jasmine: I’d add—remember you’re in charge. Think of AI as a co-planner or editor. Use what works for you and toss what doesn’t.

Tytiauna: Perfectly said. If you’ve listened this far, I hope you’ll give AI a try. Start small, see what works, and remember it’s a tool for your success.

Raul: Thank you—I really enjoyed this.

Jasmine: Me too, this was great.

Tytiauna: Same here. Thanks, everyone!