As the world changes, the Duquesne City School District strives to change with it, adjusting to best prepare students for their years ahead of them.

Over the past several years, artificial intelligence has become ubiquitous and undeniable. Lucas Wilson, a Middle School teacher in the district, is a firm believer that artificial intelligence has a role in education — not just in the future, but in the present.

“I think that we’re a progressive and forward-thinking school district. I’m trying to get kids to embrace AI as something that’s not going to go away and something they’re going to have to learn eventually,” said Mr. Wilson. 

“Education is changing. How we teach the kids is changing. How kids ask for help is changing. “We’re constantly trying to innovate. Without innovation, you stagnate. And if you stagnate, you’re not teaching any new skills.”  

Mr. Wilson is one of 20 local educators who have been selected to participate in the Allegheny Intermediate Unit’s AI Fellows Program, which started regular meetings late last year. Through the fellowship, educators are learning the ins and outs of AI in education. Additionally, they’ve been tasked with conducting an action research plan.  

The opportunity to network with fellow, like-minded educators has been extremely valuable, Mr. Wilson said. Beyond regular meetings, the group traveled to Austin, TX in March for the SXSW EDU Conference & Festival.  

“It has been very eye-opening. A lot of times I have to find myself scooping my chin off the table, especially after having the opportunity to go to Austin and network and talk and form relationships with people from different districts,” said Mr. Wilson.  

“We’ve learned crash courses on all of these different programs that we can be teaching to our colleagues and students. There’s a lot of stuff that’s readily available."

Mr. Wilson has brought back his knowledge to the district, teaching co-workers and students how to responsibly leverage AI with a variety of tools. The district will eventually purchase memberships to carefully chosen AI programs, through grant money provided through the Fellows Program.  

“It’s been such a lifesaver. We’re gaining time back that we didn’t have before. And now we can do other things,” said Mr. Wilson.  

“The days of direct instruction aren’t how we remember it. It still exists for some topics, but we need to use the technology that we have today to teach them the skills that they need for the next year. And we’re constantly talking about walking this tightrope: teaching them to use it as an aid, and to not rely on it.” 

Mr. Wilson's action research plan involves teaching students with ESL (English as a Second Language) designations how to use AI to level their content. The plan has been successful, Mr. Wilson said, as he’s seen several students become more engaged and receptive.  

“I’ve been taking my kids who have ESL designation and kids with IEP’s (Individualized Education Program) and showing them how teachers use AI for them. The kids that were in my general education class that speak little to no English, I’ve been trying to level their content for them. I've been teaching kids with lower reading levels how to level their stuff for them,” said Mr. Wilson.  

“They take a selection and plug it right in and they can decipher it, translate it, and they can level it to their reading level. They can look at the questions in their language, but they have to respond in English. They’re practicing using their reading and writing skills.  

“In doing so I’ve increased engagement throughout the school year. I went from having kids who looked like deer in the headlights to being able to adapt the material. I’ve been teaching them essentially to adapt to the changing times. This stuff isn’t going away.”