Resources For Implementing AI in Education

In follow-up to the last blog post about ethical principles for AI in education, this blog is intended to provide resources to help educators implement ethical AI in school environments. These additional resources are intended to help schools effectively address AI in Education. Educators and administrators are encouraged to review these resources which offer guidance on AI Tools, transparency through citation, lesson plans to help students better understand and use AI, policy examples, as well as privacy and safety.  

Best Free AI Tools for Students 

• ChatGPT was created by OpenAI. 

• ChatGPT’s Strengths: 

• conversation 

• creativity 

• problem solving 

• tutoring 

• Gemini was created by Google DeepMind. 

• Gemini’s Strengths: 

• search capabilities 

• knowledge 

• productivity 

• Perplexity was created by Perplexity AI  

as an independent startup. 

• Perplexity’s Strengths: 

• speed 

• accuracy 

• citation backed deep research 

  
  

Citing AI 

Citing AI is an essential step for maintaining transparency in an academic environment. This is the recommended way to cite AI in Modern Language Association (MLA) format. 

Format: 

“Prompt Text” AI Model, AI Company, Date of Interaction, AI Website 

Example:  

“Summarize the causes of the French Revolution” ChatGPT, OpenAI, 10 July 2025, chat.openai.com 

AI Lesson Plan: Revising an AI Written Essay 

Objective: Help students find and understand the value and insights of their own voice while analyzing an AI generated essay. 

Grade Levels: 8 – 12 

Duration: 1 Class Period 

Lesson Resources 

• Laptops or tablets with internet access. 

• AI Writing Tool – OpenAI's ChatGPT or Google’s Gemini (Both free to use). 

• Google Docs or similar writing program. 

Lesson Plan: 

• Students will think of a clear, argumentative essay prompt, around three sentences long, and enter it into the AI writing tool.  

• Next, take the essay generated by the AI and move it into a document. 

• Following this, annotate and critique the essay. Topics to focus on include: 

• Evaluating the accuracy, depth, and originality of the AI produced content. 

• Identify areas where the AI lacks nuance, personal insight, or unique voice. 

• After students have annotated the AI essay, they will revise the essay using it as a starting point. They can replace parts with their own voice, add parts that may strengthen the argument, and rewrite parts more vividly.  

• Once finished with the essay, students can briefly reflect on their experience. 

AI Lesson Plan: The Ethics of AI 

Objective: Students will learn about the ethical dilemmas in AI, analyze real world examples, and apply ethical frameworks to solve problems. 

Grade Levels: 7-9 

Duration: 1 Class Period 

Lesson Plan: 

• Start with an introductory poll question. “If a self-driving car using AI technology must crash, who should it prioritize saving: 

• the passengers inside the car 

•  a group of pedestrians crossing illegally 

•  a child crossing illegally 

•  choose randomly 

• it depends, more context needed 

• Students can discuss the question. 

• Students will briefly learn about ethical frameworks: 

• Utilitarianism - “An action is right if it produces the greatest good for the greatest number.” 

• Deontology - “Morality is based on following rules, duties, and principles, regardless of the outcome.” 

• Students form small groups and take on ethical AI cases. For example: 

• Should companies be allowed to use AI to screen job applicants? 

• Is the implementation of AI into society ethical if it may cause job displacement? 

• At what point might AI obtain a similar level of consciousness as humans... if at all? 

• Should AIs have a moral code that overrides human wishes? 

• Students can research ethical principles that may apply to the given situations. The end goal is to construct a claim and defend it with evidence and moral reasoning.  

• After groups have written their claims, they will present and defend their argument as the rest of the class challenges them. 

• The class will come back together and reflect on the discussions. 

AI Lesson Plan: Studying with AI 

Objective: Teach students effective methods for using AI to enhance their learning. 

Grade Levels: 6-8 

Duration: 1 Class Period 

Lesson Plan: 

• Go over best strategies for using AI: 

• Use to clarify a concept, not to copy the answer. 

• Test yourself, ask AI to generate practice questions. 

• Fact-check it, see if your answers are correct. 

• Guided Practice: 

• Students will choose a topic of personal interest or one that they are studying in school. Practice prompting AI with the following exercises: 

• Summarize the topic in 3 different difficulty levels 

• Generate quiz questions 

• Create a study plan 

• Explain a confusing concept simply 

• Share out as a group; what worked well, how can it help, how can we use it in a way that still ensures learning? 

• Exit ticket write: 

• What is one best practice you will follow when you use AI to study?  

AI Lesson Plan: Researching with AI 

Objective: Teach students effective research using AI tools. 

Grade Levels: 6-9 

Duration: 1-2 Class Periods 

Lesson Plan: 

• Introduction to AI Research 

• The stages of research and how AI can be used 

• Background Information Research 

• Research based on a Question 

• Supporting Evidence Research 

• Other uses: 

• Search dense texts for supporting evidence 

• Break down complicated language  

• Fact Checking AI 

• Teach students how AI can hallucinate responses and create fake information. 

• Review processes to check AI using a reputable source. 

• Guided Activity 

• Develop a research question. Use AI to gather background information about a topic of interest. 

• Create a simple thesis that asserts an argument based on the information gathered. 

• Request the AI tool to find sources that may help support the thesis. 

• Use it to explain a source in simpler language. 

• Fact-check at least three claims made by AI. 

• Class Discussion 

• How can AI simplify the more tedious parts of research without sacrificing the deeper learning and critical thinking that research is meant to build? 

• Exit ticket write: 

• What is one way you can responsibly use AI for research? 

Example AI Policies for Schools 

These AI policies were created by Harvard University and provide a solid foundation for AI guidelines that could accommodate several classroom environments. They range from maximally restrictive to fully encouraging. Teachers should decide what AI policy fits their class best and include it on the class syllabus. 

Maximally Restrictive 

Mixed 

Fully Encouraging 

AI Privacy and Safety Checklist for Schools 

I. Data Collection & Consent 

• Is informed consent obtained from students, parents, or guardians before data collection? 

• Is the purpose of data collection explicitly defined? 

• Are students informed about what data is collected (e.g., writing samples, usage patterns)? 

• Can students opt out without academic penalty? 

  
  

II. Data Security & Cloud Storage 

• Is student data encrypted during transfer and storage? 

• Are servers compliant with relevant standards (e.g., FERPA, COPPA, GDPR)? 

• Is access to sensitive data restricted (limited to authorized personnel only)? 

• Are there protocols in place for data breach response? 

  
  

III. Transparency & Explainability 

• Can the AI’s decision-making process be interpreted? 

• Are students and families given clear explanations of how the AI functions? 

• Is the school transparent about third-party vendors or partners using student data? 

  
  

IV. Fairness, Bias & Equity 

• Has the AI system been audited for bias? 

• Are there safeguards to prevent discrimination based on race, gender, ability, or socioeconomic status? 

• Is there an appeals process for AI-influenced outcomes (e.g., grades, plagiarism flags) 

V. Student Autonomy & Empowerment 

• Are students taught how the AI tool works (basic AI literacy)? 

• Is AI use optional for formative learning tasks? 

• Are students encouraged to question, critique, or bypass AI suggestions when appropriate? 

• Are students prevented from becoming over-reliant on AI?