AI @ SPS

Artificial Intelligence tools can be simultaneously exciting and intimidating in their potential. We want to highlight positive use cases and opportunities while also being mindful that, like any tool, there may be some downsides. This document is an attempt to organize best practices, guidelines, tools worth exploring, training materials and opportunities, and other relevant content. It will evolve as the landscape changes.

Our school district recognizes that artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are increasingly prevalent in schools and society. When used appropriately, AI can enhance teaching, learning, and student preparedness for future careers. We also acknowledge the importance of using AI ethically, safely, and in ways that prioritize student privacy, equitable access, and development of critical thinking skills.

• Only AI tools and providers that meet data privacy and security standards may be used with student information.

• To adhere to Terms of Service and age restrictions, only AI tools approved by the District can be utilized when accounts are being created by students or district employees. If an account needs to be created or student data will be shared, use the software request process to request a tool that has not already been approved.

• Due to the continual development of AI tools, district guidelines regarding AI will be regularly reviewed and updated to encourage safe, ethical, and innovative use in and out of the classroom.

1. Educators may leverage AI writing assistants, lesson planners, grading aids and other education-focused AI tools to enhance instruction and streamline tasks.

2. AI should supplement rather than replace teacher expertise. Teachers must oversee, fact-check, and maintain editorial control over AI-generated content.

3. Educators will receive guidance on the ethical use of AI, including evaluating bias, protecting student data privacy, and addressing potential misuse.

1. Learners may use AI writing tools, calculators, and tutors for assignments when appropriate.

2. Use of AI-generated content should include appropriate citations.

3. Digital literacy education will cover AI functionality, strengths, limitations, ethical concerns, academic integrity, and best practices.

Our district is committed to fully implementing AI to foster advanced learning opportunities while upholding ethical principles. This procedure will be reviewed to account for new AI developments and evolving best practices. We welcome feedback from parents, educators, and community members.

The Blended Learning Coordinators have published several articles on TechTools that cover background information, pros and cons of AI, and general suggestions. Those articles are linked below and are a good place to get a sense of the tools that are out there.

• Plan for AI literacy

• Staff - PD and information content

• LibGuides AI Resources
• Building level PD on-going as time permits
• Looking at workshop week opportunities

• Students - Structured lessons

• Code.org AI lessons in Grades 3-5, possibly 6-8. Content may be adaptable to younger grades or we make our own.

• AI Scope & Sequence School Library Systems Association

• Advisory/seminar lesson content

• Sandy has been working on a new HS course with great lessons ready to go: HS Digital Citizenship & Well-Being

• Working with Freshman Seminar to embed some lessons.

Staff PD:

April 2024 High School: Demystifying AI

August 2024 Back-to-School Course (Required All Staff):

• E-5: AI in SPS + MagicSchool AI

• 6-12: Full Module on Generative AI

August 2024 Sweeney: Introduction to AI/MagicSchool

September 2024 TLC: Introduction to AI/MagicSchool

October 2024 Secondary Choice Option: AFL 2.0 Closing the Gap with MagicSchool

April 2025 Secondary Choice Option: AFL 2.0 The Magic of MagicSchool AI

April 2025 Secondary Choice Option: AFL 2.0 MagicSchool Sharing Summit

May 2025 Secondary Choice Option: AI as a Thought Partner/Revisit AI Framework

June 2025 Social Studies and English Secondary Articulation Teams: Introduction to AI Framework

August 2025 Back-to-School Course (Required All Staff):

• E-5: MagicSchool AI with examples of elementary use

• 6-12: MagicSchool AI and AI Updates

August 2025 All Secondary: AI Guidance for Teachers: Introduction to the AI Framework/Common Language

August 2025 Secondary Choice Option: Developing Magic Students

March 2026 Secondary Choice Option: Using MagicSchool Rooms in Canvas

March 2026 Secondary Choice Option: AI Literacy for Middle School Students

May 2026 Choice Option: Your Brain on AI

August 2026 Back-to-School Course (Required All Staff):

• E-5: AI Tools for Shakopee Schools

• 6-12: AI Framework + AI Tools for Shakopee Schools

August 2026 Secondary Choice Option: NotebookLM: A Truly Interactive AI Notebook

October 2026: District Social Workers

October 2026 Secondary Choice Option: Gemini Notebook: A Truly Interactive AI Notebook

October 2026 Secondary Choice Option: Authentic Assessment in the Age of AI/Revisit AI Framework

Students:
Middle School AI Lessons in Advisory

• Lesson 1: What is AI? October 2026

• Lesson 2: Online Safety

School Board:

2/6/26: Board report with AI/Framework focus

There are a number of examples of AI frameworks floating around these days. Many are based on work and concepts put forth by Leon Furze and colleagues; see this article "Updating the AI Assessment Scale" for a decent summary of that work.

Building off those concepts and many other examples, we are developing our own version of a framework for how to approach the use of AI in academics. We'll be sharing more as it is refined this summer leading into (hopefully) some specific training at the start of the school year.

Artificial Intelligence Usage Expectations

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) in academic work must adhere to the same standards of integrity as traditional methods. Students are expected to:

• Acknowledge the use of AI tools in their work, clearly indicating how these tools were utilized.

• Ensure that any AI-generated content used in assignments is integrated appropriately and not presented as original work unless explicitly permitted.

• Avoid submitting AI-generated material as their own without proper attribution.

Violations of these expectations regarding AI use will be treated as academic dishonesty and will result in the same consequences as other forms of cheating or plagiarism. (Source: text via MagicSchool AI Text Rewriter tool)

AI tools must follow the same request process as other software or services. The established request process has been updated to collect specific information about AI tools.

The master list of software and services (which exists in a public version on our website and a staff version with a bit more detail and data; linked below) has been updated to identify the tools that have been reviewed and with whom they can be used.

We do need to balance student access against the terms of service and data privacy policies of each site. It is important that students are able to experience these tools and learn to use them well, but it is just as vital that we do not expose personally identifiable information about students.

Our priority for purchasing an AI tool is to address some key criteria, including:

• Data privacy
• Appropriate and accessible for K-12 students
• Good selection of tools and features
• Integration with Classlink for rostering and logins
• Cost-effective

The best fit right now is MagicSchool. We have purchased licensing starting in the 2024-2025 school year. Google Gemini is also an option available to all users.

You can easily search for suggestions for writing good prompts. I asked Claude & Gemini for their suggestions; using the following prompt: Synthesize the best practices of AI prompt writing tips.

Gemini said:

"Here are the key takeaways for writing effective AI prompts:

• Clarity and Specificity: Be clear and specific about what you want the AI to do. Instead of saying "write a story," say "write a science fiction story about a robot who falls in love with a human." The more details you provide, the better the AI can understand your request.

• Define Your Goal: Know what you want to achieve with the AI's output. Are you looking for a factual summary, a creative text format, or something else entirely?

• Consider the Audience: Who is the content for? Tailoring the prompt to a specific audience will help the AI generate more relevant and effective content.

• Context is King: Provide context for your prompt whenever possible. This could include background information, relevant data, or even examples of the desired output. The more context you give, the better the AI can understand your needs.

• Embrace "Act As If": Use phrases like "Act as if..." to give the AI a specific persona or role to embody. This can help shape the tone and style of the output.

• Iterate and Refine: Don't be afraid to experiment with different prompts and see what works best. You can start with a basic prompt and then add details or change the wording based on the initial results.

• Be Ethical: Consider the potential impact of your prompts and avoid generating harmful, biased, or misleading content."

The skillset involved with getting useful responses from an AI model is multi-disciplinary and one would expect it to already be present in our teaching and in the strategies we would ask students to use.

Much of the content here (so far) has been worked on or developed by staff in the LT&E and Technology departments, along with district leadership. This is currently intended to be a standing newsletter with occasional updates as the landscape of AI tools and usage changes.