Educational Technology
Department of Educational Technology
Welcome to the Educational Technology (EDTech) Office at the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District, where innovation meets education. Our dedicated team is driven by a passion for leveraging technology to enhance learning experiences for students, educators, and the entire school community. With a focus on integrating cutting-edge tools, platforms, and strategies into the curriculum, we strive to empower students with the skills they need for success in the modern world.
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In my role as the Director of Educational Technology, I balance two critical priorities: ensuring our operational foundation is rock-solid and fostering a teaching environment that embraces the future.
On the operational side, we are leveraging a recent Massachusetts cybersecurity grant to fortify the Acton-Boxborough Regional School District’s digital infrastructure. We have upgraded to a next-generation firewall and are transitioning toward a Zero Trust framework to ensure only verified users and secure devices can access our resources. By expanding multi-factor authentication, providing continuous staff training, and establishing district-wide incident response guidelines, we are keeping our students, staff, and data safer than ever.
However, security is only half of the equation. From a teaching and learning perspective, there is nothing more transformative than the introduction of Artificial Intelligence into our society. We recognize that AI is fundamentally changing how we interact with information, and we are navigating this shift through thoughtful conversation and a human-centered approach. These technical enhancements and pedagogical shifts reinforce our commitment to maintaining a secure, reliable, and future-ready learning environment for all.
Amy Bisiewicz,
Director of Educational Technology
Amy Bisiewicz,
Director of Educational Technology
Artificial Intelligence
What Is Generative AI?
Traditional AI
Follows a set of rules to help with specific tasks like answering questions or giving recommendations, but it doesn't create anything new. It powers voice assistants like Siri, Netflix recommendations, and social media algorithms.
Generative AI (Gen AI)
A type of artificial intelligence that creates original content—like writing stories, generating artwork, or composing music. Popular tools include ChatGPT, Google's Gemini, Snapchat's My AI, Midjourney, and DALL-E.
How Kids Are Using It
For School
The district is actively reviewing and developing guidance around the use of artificial intelligence tools to support student learning. Our goal is to ensure that AI is used in ways that enhance critical thinking, creativity, and academic growth while maintaining appropriate safeguards and academic integrity. As this work continues, expectations for student use of AI will be clearly defined and communicated to ensure responsible and equitable use across all schools.
Personally
To pass time when bored, get advice on personal issues, or plan activities. They can also use it to create content as a joke, which can sometimes cross the line into hurtful behavior like deepfakes.
*Note: Most tools require users to be 13 or older, but age verification is poor and parental controls are generally lacking.
Benefits of Generative AI for Teens
Boosting Learning
Offers quick explanations, translations, and brainstorming. The key is to guide them to use AI to understand difficult topics, rather than as a shortcut to do the work for them.
Enhancing Creativity
Great for fueling imagination. Kids can ask for plot ideas for a story or ways to improve their artwork. It's best used to kick-start an activity.
Improving Efficiency
Helps teens be more productive and organized by analyzing information, planning projects, or drafting routine emails, freeing up time for deeper learning.
Key Terms to Know
Large language models (LLMs)
AI systems (like ChatGPT or Gemini) that analyze and create human-like text based on patterns learned from huge amounts of data.
Prompt
The instruction or question you give an AI to guide its response.
Chatbots
AI tools that can chat with you, answer questions, and help find information.
Deepfake
A fake video or image that looks real but has been digitally altered to mislead viewers.
Hallucinations
When AI makes something up that isn't true but presents it as fact (e.g., wrong dates or fake book titles).
Bias
Because AI learns from internet data, it can reflect patterns that favor certain viewpoints, potentially reinforcing harmful stereotypes or discriminatory content.
Common Concerns and Challenges
Misinformation & Disinformation
Gen AI isn't always accurate. These tools are trained on unreliable internet sources. Kids need to double-check what AI generates and not trust everything at face value. AI is not a replacement for a trusted adult, especially for health or personal advice.
Privacy and Data Security
Make sure kids avoid submitting any personal information (names, addresses, photos), as this info can become a permanent part of the system's data. Set available privacy controls and monitor usage.
Bias and Non-Inclusive Content
Tools can give results that reinforce stereotypes or spread discrimination, which can impact kids' self-image if they don't see themselves reflected accurately.
Bullying and Inappropriate Content
Kids can misuse AI to create fake/harmful content (deepfakes) to tease or bully. Also, even with safeguards, AI can still produce inappropriate or harmful content, especially if prompted to do so.
Plagiarism and Academic Dishonesty
Kids may rely on AI to complete projects without fully understanding the material. Check with your school to understand any policies on AI use in schoolwork.
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Tips for Talking with Kids About Gen AI
Take AI Test-Drives Together
Think of it like practicing driving before getting a license. Explore AI together to understand how it works.
Try this Activity
Work alongside your child to try a gen AI tool for something they'd actually use it for, like a fun creative project, or finding info about a hobby. This helps you both see the different ways AI can be useful.
Build Critical Thinking
Just like we teach kids to question social media, help them think critically about AI. Not all tools are trustworthy.
Activity: Check the Creator
Research who developed the AI tool. Discuss why knowing the creator matters when trusting the information.
Activity: Fact-Check Together
Have your child ask AI about a topic they know really well. Compare the AI's response with what they know to be true and identify any mistakes or gaps.
Understand Prompts & Wording
Generative AI tools aren't human. How you phrase things makes a big difference in getting accurate results.
Try this Activity
Ask your child to write a simple prompt, then slightly change the wording. (e.g., "Explain climate change" vs. "Explain how climate change affects animals"). Compare the responses and discuss the importance of being clear.