Fifth Graders Debate AI Usage in Schools

For their final project in their argumentative writing unit, the two Lotspeich fifth grade homerooms were split into “pro” and “con” teams to debate the use of AI in schools. 

Prior to their debates in late February, students researched their team’s position by interviewing teachers, finding credible sources supporting their position online, and researching counterarguments. 

During the debates, one of the “pro” teams’ arguments was that AI increased efficiency and decreased the menial workload on teachers. By keeping or incorporating AI in classrooms, teachers would be allowed to spend more of their focus on student’s individual progress. 

One of the “con” teams’ assertions was that AI’s ability to present misinformation as fact and needing to be highly specific in prompts in order to achieve the desired results actually reduced efficiency. 

Students from both teams took turns presenting their case, and a panel of Lotspeich faculty judged the arguments. After careful consideration, the judges sided in favor of the “con” team for both debates.