“What if artificial intelligence takes away our creativity?” and “What if students stop thinking for themselves?”
These are common concerns from teachers and parents as artificial intelligence grows more visible in schools. While the worries are valid, AI does not have to replace critical thinking. When used responsibly, it can help students manage their workload, spark ideas and learn more effectively.
At Coppell High School, AI has become part of everyday life. Students use platforms such as ChatGPT to brainstorm essays, Grammarly to refine writing and Grok for assignments.
AI is no longer just spell check. It has developed into a range of tools that can edit, analyze and answer questions. This has created a divide.
Some think AI makes school too easy, while others see it as the next step in education, much like calculators or Google once were.
One of AI’s biggest benefits is brainstorming support. Many students struggle most with starting an assignment. AI can generate prompts, outlines or sample thesis statements, helping students get past the blank page.
It does not write the essay for them, but rather provides a framework to build on, much like a teacher handing out a template or an organizer.
AI can also improve research. With so much information online, finding useful sources is overwhelming. AI helps narrow searches, summarize articles and provide background context. While it should not replace reading and analysis, it saves time and allows students to focus on higher-level thinking instead of sorting through irrelevant results.
Another advantage is stress reduction. High school students juggle AP classes, extracurriculars and part-time jobs. Tools checking grammar, rephrasing awkward sentences or generating study questions make assignments more manageable.
Rather than promoting laziness, AI can prevent burnout and help students concentrate on deeper learning.
Still, risks exist. If students copy and paste AI-generated answers, they miss the chance to develop skills they will need later. This is why CHS and other schools make it clear that students should not turn in work fully written by AI.
But just as calculators did not erase the need to learn math, AI will not erase the need to think. It simply changes how students approach learning.
The responsibility falls on both students and teachers. Students must use AI as a supplement, not a shortcut. For teachers, embracing AI means going beyond simply warning students not to misuse it. Teachers can integrate AI into lessons as a brainstorming partner, showing students how to use it to develop thesis statements, generate practice questions or analyze multiple perspectives on a topic.
In classrooms, AI could be treated as an interactive tool much like calculators or digital research databases, helping students. With balance, AI can strengthen education rather than weaken it.
AI is not here to replace students. It is here to help them succeed.
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