East Moline Schools Expand AI Use in Classrooms with Magic School AI
East Moline, Ill. — The East Moline School District is expanding its use of artificial intelligence as a classroom tool, introducing students to platforms designed to personalize learning. The district has adopted Magic School AI, a program capable of generating lesson plans, math word problems, and even humorous content to engage students.
“It offers a lot of affordances for us at grade level, below grade level, above grade level and beyond,” said Alex Mayszak, the district’s director of digital learning and innovation. He stressed that the technology is not intended to replace core skills or critical thinking: “If you are just offloading all your thoughts and having that do that, it’s problematic. We need to make sure that we have the base level knowledge, the skills, and that we have the discernment to know when it’s appropriate, when it’s not appropriate.”
In Aiden Michna’s classroom, students are already learning to recognize AI-generated images and discuss how to verify information. “We talk about it all the time. Don’t fall for clickbait, especially in today’s society. It’s just getting harder to determine what’s real and what’s fake. What’s a good source of information, what’s not a good source,” Michna said.
Mayszak added that AI can help close education gaps, particularly for students with learning challenges or those who speak different languages. The district is exploring how to assist students who have processing difficulties or who are struggling with concepts, using AI as a complementary tool to meet diverse needs.
Students themselves expressed an understanding of the importance of adapting to a changing world and the role of AI in modern education.
Looking ahead, the district plans ongoing professional development for teachers to blend AI tools with traditional instruction, while monitoring outcomes to ensure accuracy, equity, and privacy. This initiative aims to support personalized learning while preserving essential thinking skills and critical evaluation.
Summary: East Moline schools are broadening AI usage through Magic School AI to tailor instruction, aid diverse learners, and foster digital literacy, with a focus on preserving core skills and critical thinking.
Editor’s note: As AI tools become more integrated into classrooms, readers may want to look for updates on student outcomes, educator training, and safeguards around data privacy and information accuracy. Potential benefits include improved engagement and targeted support, while challenges to watch include ensuring equitable access and maintaining rigorous critical-thinking standards.