As the use of artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more common, Menifee Union School District’s latest Conversations with the Superintendent event focused on how the district is approaching its use in schools and how families can navigate the technology.
The district hosted two “AI Tools for Families” sessions Wednesday and Thursday, covering ways AI can be used for learning and everyday tasks, as well as concerns surrounding accuracy, privacy and responsible use.
Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Root was joined by Director of Technology John Morgan and Technology Coordinator Jenny Thomas for the discussion.
Root said MUSD has taken a slow and intentional approach to bringing AI into classrooms, adding that the district has moved slower than some others in part because it serves younger students who are still developing foundational and basic skills.
“I think the theme of this should hopefully come out of how do we learn to use this for all of us as a tool that helps us, but doesn’t handicap us another way?” Root said.
Last school year, MUSD piloted a closed AI program that allowed participating teachers to monitor student activity and was designed to provide guidance and feedback without simply giving students answers.
“Just putting a child on the computer does not create learning,” Root said. “Technology is a tool we use. It does not replace teachers. It does not replace instruction.”
She said AI has not been a major focus in district classrooms or policy development so far and has not been widely implemented with students.
Throughout the presentation, district staff discussed ways families can use AI to support learning without having it complete the work for students. Examples included asking AI to explain a difficult concept in a different way, checking a student’s work for errors or helping a student prepare for opposing arguments in a debate.
“Instead of asking for answers, have it process with you,” Thomas said. “Have it be that guide that helps you through issues and problems.”
Morgan said AI can also be used outside of schoolwork, including searching for scholarships, improving a resume or practicing for a job interview. In those cases, he encouraged users to give the AI context about what they are trying to accomplish and continue evaluating the information it provides rather than simply accepting the first response.
Privacy was another focus of the presentation. Thomas cautioned families against entering personally identifiable information, such as names, addresses or phone numbers, into AI tools. When using AI to review something such as a resume, she recommended removing identifying information first.
Root said families should also talk with students about when using AI is appropriate, particularly when it comes to school assignments.
“How do you use AI to enhance the work, not do the work?” she said. “We have to be careful not to be so dependent on it that we don’t write things, we don’t critically think about what we’re saying or doing.”
