Amna Nawaz: Adrian Antao, a high school English teacher in New York City, has incorporated technology into his teaching methods to support his students. Despite concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence (A.I.) on education, Antao has collaborated with educators, engineers, and manufacturers to develop an A.I. tool that aids students in revising their reading assignments.
Antao presents his unique perspective on the utilization of A.I. in educational settings.
Adrian Antao, High School English Teacher: In the realm of expository writing, the challenge lies in presenting a definitive answer right at the outset.
Having taught nearly every American literature course available at this school over my almost two-decade tenure, I pondered the rationale behind the creation of these distinct sections.
My aspiration to become a teacher sparked at the young age of ten, initially driven by the desire for societal respect in adulthood. However, as I matured, my passion for literature blossomed, revealing a career path intertwined with my love for books.
The introduction of ChatGPT by OpenAI last November left me in awe. By summer, discussions on implementing A.I. in our educational practices were underway, culminating in a partnership with Playlab. This collaboration provided a complimentary A.I. scanning tool for teachers.
Embarking on Project Toni, an A.I. chatbot designed to mentor students in writing and support educators as teaching assistants, marks the next phase of my journey. The project aims to facilitate the revision process by analyzing the content students are currently studying.
Toni offers a comprehensive breakdown of the strengths and areas for enhancement in each piece of writing. My primary concern stemmed from the envy I harbored towards math and science teachers who could promptly assess student work. Grappling with a stack of five-page articles equated to delving into a 500-page book.
Pre-Toni, the feedback loop resembled the epistolary exchanges found in Jane Austen’s novels, spanning two to three weeks.
Recall the insights I shared with you on Tuesday.
Unveiling Project Toni to the school community was a remarkable experience. Educating users on its effective utilization is imperative. Interacting with Toni involves more than issuing basic commands; it necessitates active engagement.
Delve deeper into why this serves as a prime illustration. Toni furnishes concise feedback, offering room for discourse if deemed necessary. Encouraging students to advocate for their writing instills confidence, a pivotal stride towards overcoming hesitancy and trepidation.
Establishing a rapport akin to that of a professional editor and a proficient writer is pivotal in the collaborative effort to enhance writing.
The ultimate objective is progress.
Nurturing students’ academic growth and witnessing their development is the most gratifying aspect of teaching literature. It evokes a sense of fulfillment akin to encountering a poignant word in a novel—a truly enriching experience.
I am Adrian Antao, and this encapsulates my succinct yet profound perspective on integrating A.I. in educational settings.
Amna Nawaz: This installment of Brief But Spectacular forms part of a six-part series exploring the future landscape of education.
Geoff Bennett: For the complete series, visit our website at PBS.org/NewsHour.
