A Learning Tool, Not Just a Schooling Tool

Posted Date: 3/19/25 (7:10 PM)

Teaching & Learning

EdTech Edition

March 19, 2025

Conferences Are Here—Supporting Learning in and Beyond the Classroom

Parent-teacher conferences are an important opportunity to check in on your child’s progress, ask questions, and collaborate with teachers to support their learning. If you haven’t scheduled a time yet, be sure to check your school’s website for available conference slots.

As you have these conversations, you might also be thinking about ways to support learning at home. AI can be a helpful tool—not as a replacement for teachers, but as an extension of the learning happening in the classroom. Whether it’s exploring new topics, practicing skills, or getting creative with projects, AI can provide additional support tailored to your child’s interests and needs.

AI in Education—A Learning Tool, Not Just a Schooling Tool

As AI tools become more common in our daily lives, you may be wondering how they fit into your child’s education. At Ellensburg School District, we want to make sure AI isn’t just used for schooling—checking boxes, completing assignments, or replacing student thinking—but instead as a tool that truly supports learning and exploration.

We encourage our students to engage with AI by asking questions like:

How can this tool expand my freedom to learn?
How can I use it to pursue what I’m curious about?
How can it help me be more creative and build inspiring projects?
How can I use AI to find solutions to real-world problems in my life and community?
What skills and critical thinking do I need to use AI effectively and responsibly?

If we only ask, “How can AI improve test scores?” or “How can we prevent students from using AI to cheat?”, we’re missing the bigger picture. AI’s impact extends far beyond school—it’s shaping the way we think, create, and solve problems.

As parents, you can support this approach at home by encouraging curiosity and critical thinking when your child interacts with AI-powered tools like chatbots, image generators, and search engines. Ask them:

✅ What do you notice about how AI responds?

✅ What do you think the AI “learned” from to generate that answer?

✅ What would you do differently if you had to solve this problem without AI?

By shifting the conversation from “How can AI do this for me?” to “How can AI help me think better?”, we’re preparing students for a future where they lead with creativity and innovation—not just automation.

Thanks for being part of this learning journey with us!

Why SchoolAI

How SchoolAI Enhances Learning

✅ Expanding Students’ Freedom to Learn

→ Example: A student struggling with a concept in math can use SchoolAI’s personalized tutoring Spaces to get explanations at their own pace, receive hints, and ask follow-up questions—just like a one-on-one tutor would do.

✅ Helping Students Pursue Their Passions

→ Example: A student interested in space exploration can ask SchoolAI’s research assistant to help them gather the latest NASA discoveries, generate questions for further investigation, and suggest hands-on science activities they can try at home.

✅ Encouraging Creativity Through AI-Assisted Brainstorming

→ Example: In an English class, students use SchoolAI’s story starter tool to generate creative writing prompts, helping them overcome writer’s block and explore different storytelling styles.

✅ Solving Real-World Problems with AI Exploration Tools

→ Example: A student working on a community project can use SchoolAI’s problem-solving workspace to brainstorm solutions for local environmental challenges, organize their ideas, and draft a proposal to present to city officials.

How You Can Support AI Learning at Home

Parents can help their children engage with AI thoughtfully by:

🔹 Asking them to show you how they use SchoolAI and discussing what they learn.

🔹 Encouraging curiosity by asking, “What did AI help you discover that you didn’t know before?”

🔹 Reinforcing critical thinking by prompting, “How do you know the AI’s response is accurate?”

By shifting the conversation from “How can AI do this for me?” to “How can AI help me think better?”, we’re preparing students to be innovative problem-solvers and lifelong learners.

If you have any questions about SchoolAI or AI in education, please reach out.

AI-assisted draft, reviewed and finalized by Joell Boast

Wonder Wednesday

Kids in Colonial Times

Students will learn about what it's like to be a kid in colonial times. Students will travel back in time and find 3 kids to interview. Students need to learn about the region, the specific colony, school, what they eat, what they wear.

Students and parents can use this link to try it out!

Maria the Math Tutor

Maria the Math Tutor is a chat-based space where students can receive personalized math tutoring. Maria is a knowledgeable virtual tutor for K-12 students, ready to help with homework, test preparation, and understanding complex math concepts. The space adapts to each student's needs, providing a supportive and engaging learning environment.

Students and parents can use this link to try it out!

EdTech Website

Let’s Connect!

Have questions, or ideas, or need support with EdTech? I’m here to help! Feel free to reach out.

Joell Boast

EdTech Coordinator

Ellensburg School District

📧 Email: joell.boast@esd401.org

📞 Phone: 509-925-8300, ext. 31127

📍 Office Location: EHS Library

Let’s work together to create innovative and supportive learning environments for our students!