AI at MCS

AI is having an impact on education. As school leaders we are both excited and concerned about technology and we have a responsibility to ensure AI is approached thoughtfully and appropriately for teaching and learning. 

AI Unblocked for All Staff and Teachers

We are excited to announce that MCS has unblocked select free versions of AI tools like Microsoft Copilot and MagicSchool for staff use only. In the MCS App Portal you will find an AI folder with the approved tools for ease of access. These tools have the potential to save staff and teachers time on tasks.

To support the use of these new tools, we have training available in the PD Catalog. The training covers best practices for using AI responsibly and essentials for getting started.  Additional self-paced training options will be available soon. You can search the PD Catalog for AI or use this link for sessions tagged as AI training. 

While AI tools can help streamline certain tasks, it's important to use them thoughtfully. Here are some tips:

  • Review all AI-generated content for accuracy and bias before sharing or using the generated content. AI can occasionally produce flawed output. 

  • Use the 80-20 approach. Let AI generate the initial draft (80%), then add your expertise, review, and edit (20%). 

  • Apply your professional judgment. Treat AI content as a starting point, not the final product. 

  • Know the limitations. AI knowledge may not cover recent events.

  • Protect privacy. Do not include personal student/staff details.

Additionally, while exciting, these tools do require caution in terms of what data users provide. Do not input student or staff personal information, as the tools store and can share that data. Experts urge users to be mindful of privacy while exploring the possibilities of AI.

AI tools will remain blocked for students as vendors work to comply with student data privacy agreements and age restrictions for use with their tools. The only AI tool available for students is PowerSchool's PowerBuddy AI in Schoology.

We look forward to providing new opportunities for efficiency and innovation through responsible use of AI. 

Learning With AI, Learning About AI from California Dept of Education (CDE)

California Dept of Education (CDE) AI Information Website

California IT IN Education (CITE) AI Resources Guide

These select AI tools are unblocked for all Staff and Teachers. Access will be for the free versions of the tools:

ChatGPT

Claude

Google Gemini

Google NotebookLM

MagicSchool

Microsoft Copilot

AI Tools at MCS for Staff

What is AI?

Prompt Engineering

Common Sense Media AI Resources for Education

Common Sense Media's AI Resource Hub for Education, Families, and Students

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ai

Common Sense Media’s AI hub helps families and educators understand AI. It offers expert reviews, guides, and tips on safe and responsible AI use for kids. Whether you need AI app recommendations or classroom resources, this site has you covered!

Our Ed Tech Tools with AI Features

NEW! PowerBuddy AI for Teachers and Students at Modesto City Schools

PowerBuddy AI integrates seamlessly into PowerSchool's Schoology, and Performance Matters, revolutionizing how teachers and students engage with learning tools. For teachers, it simplifies creating assignments, discussions, and assessments, offering data-driven insights to track performance. For students, it provides personalized tutoring, research, and support, enhancing engagement and success. With PowerBuddy AI, education becomes smarter, more efficient, and tailored to every learner's needs.

Learn more on the MCS Ed Tech PowerBuddy Website

Quizizz AI Logo

Quizizz AI (Beta)

With Quizizz AI, you can create quizzes in under a minute!

Whether you're looking to create a formative assessment on integers for Grade 6, or a quiz for your AP Physics class, Quizizz AI is with you every step of the way.

All you need to do is upload a file or paste a link to a webpage, and voila! Quizizz AI will automatically generate questions from this content and create a quiz for you. You can then personalize and enhance the quiz in as many ways as you'd like.

Kami Question AI Banner

Kami Questions AI

Harness the power of AI to convert, create, and grade assessments automatically. The ultimate time-saving upgrade to the Kami app you know and love. In the MCS App Portal and in Schoology Assignments.

Edpuzzle Teacher Assist AI

Edpuzzle AI-generated Questions

Edpuzzle made it easier than ever before to add interactive questions into videos that you’ve made or found online and grade open-ended questions. That’s done through the use of an AI feature called Edpuzzle Teacher Assist. Edpuzzle is available in Schoology and MCS App Portal.

Learning About AI

AI ISTE Resources Header

Free practical guides for engaging students in AI

Elementary Educator Guides

AI ISTE Resources Header

Free practical guides for engaging students in AI

Secondary Educator Guides

AI ISTE Resources Header

Free practical guides for engaging students in AI

Elective Educator Guides

AI ISTE Resources Header

Free practical guides for engaging students in AI

Computer Science Educator Guides

AI ISTE Resources Header

Free practical guides for engaging students in AI

AI Ethics Guides

Current Status

In place:

  • AI select tools are unblocked for staff and teachers, only free versions available

  • Student conduct code for cheating and academic integrity

  • Web filter blocks on school technology devices and network for websites and applications (including AI) that are not age appropriate, security concerns, do not sign student data privacy agreements, or do not align with subject-area standards 

  • Exploring Computer Science course offered in several of our high schools includes curriculum unit on AI

  • Enochs High School Software and Systems Development (SSD) Pathway has course on Artificial Intelligence 

Concerns for not approving AI tools in the classroom:

  • Various vendor privacy statements have age restrictions for students under 13 and for students under 18 years of age

  • Vendor may not be signing the required student data privacy agreements with school districts

  • Vendor may not be an accessible tool, cost effective, comply with security policies, or content not age appropriate

  • Vendor does not align with subject-area standards, learning objectives, and adopted curriculum

Potential of AI tools in the classroom:

  • Tutoring and learning content: support learning needs and guided tutoring

  • Digital Citizenship: lessons for students to learn implications of AI, ethical use of AI, academic integrity, digital and media literacy, and societal impact of AI including biases, privacy concerns, and algorithmic fairness

  • New assignment concepts: using AI that encourages communication, creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and curation

  • Embedded: built into our tools such as Microsoft and Google word processing,  presentation, and searching applications