“Artificial intelligence is destroying the traditional world of work,” Italian politician Beppe Grillo said.
Artificial intelligence has become something many are acquainted with. Whether it be using Snap AI to explain a math problem, ChatGPT to answer a question, or even making a simple Google search where the AI feature summarizes its search results for you, most people who use the internet on a daily basis have come into contact with AI assistance.
The rapid advancements made in artificial intelligence come at a high cost. It’s a known fact that many students use AI not only to help with understanding work assigned in school, but to completely have it done for them. Due to the unethical usage of AI in the classroom, administrators of Crown Point High School had to make a decision.
The Ban of the Bots
Starting with the 2025-2026 school year, administrators came to a decision to block ChatGPT and all other AI platforms on school computers.
ChatGPT, arguably the most popular of these applications, has stirred the most controversy among students at CPHS. Students question to what extent ChatGPT should be used during school hours.
“I think the school should have allowed limited use for ChatGPT,” sophomore Madeline Neal said. “I think it can benefit kids’ learning, and blocking it completely may cause people to struggle even more than they already are.”
Some students believe that banning the program completely was the correct decision.
“I think using ChatGPT ruins work ethic,” junior Allison Young said. “If you’re only using it to help with homework or assignments, there’s a good chance that you’ll fail the test for that material.”
Some teachers also have concerns about the continuous usage of AI seen in students.
“ChatGPT is much more likely to help students cheat or plagiarize work,” teacher Eric Beard said. “This is a major concern. I am concerned about students becoming over-reliant on AI and losing the ability to think critically.”
While the topic of banning this platform may be a widely debated subject among students, the school’s Curriculum and Instruction team sees the ban as an opportunity to better a child’s classroom experience.
“Educational technology has and will continue to see advances, but teaching and learning remain an innately human experience,” the Curriculum and Instruction team said. “For example, creating learning tasks for students that the answers ‘cannot be Googled’ can be likened to designing a learning experience that AI can’t simply produce for the student. Students can use tools such as calculators, Google, and AI to help them learn, but the learning should still be the emphasis.”
The team also described a new AI platform meant to help students dive deeper into the questions they are asking instead of bluntly giving an answer. “Later this school year, students will have access to an education-specific AI platform, and more information will be shared with students and families soon,” the Curriculum and Instruction team said. “It is less about restricting access and more about providing only safe platform access. Tools that do not meet legal, safe, and ethical standards in relation to AI and student access have been blocked, but the district will be providing a safe alternative.”
This alternative has recently been introduced to the students and teachers of Crown Point.
Meet Magic School
In more recent dates, the school has introduced a new educational AI platform free to use for all students. This application, Magic School, has also been met with mixed opinions.
Magic School was presented in AP Literature classes. The goal was for students to analyze specific parts of the novel being read in class and discuss them with the chatbot. The teachers then received feedback from some students.
“So far, my students’ reactions seem split,” Mr. Beard said. “Some find it a helpful way to explore their ideas about a text or get feedback on their writing. Others haven’t found it as helpful yet. One common response is that the study bot sort of keeps circling back to the same questions, and the students aren’t really getting any further in their exploration of a topic.”
This chatbot is designed not to give specific answers to a question, but instead asks rebuttal questions to assist students in having more in-depth analyses. This kind of chatbot forces a student to think critically about what is being discussed.
“We don’t want to stop AI use, but want to instead support thoughtful use of AI that is guided by teachers,” the Curriculum and Instruction team said.
Conclusion
The banning of ChatGPT on all school-owned devices has inconvenienced some, but on the other hand, some appreciate the act to preserve academic integrity. The school corporation took ethical AI usage in the classroom into account, and Magic School took its place.
AI will continue to be prevalent in society, more likely than not having an even larger influence as time goes on. Choosing to use AI is a choice a person can only make for themselves. Regardless, the Crown Point school corporation encourages academic honesty and is making strides in attempting to encourage students to adopt this value.
