Survey: Top Teacher Uses of AI in the Classroom

• By Rhea Kelly
• 08/12/24

A new report from Cambium Learning Group outlines the top ways educators are using artificial intelligence to manage their classrooms and support student learning. Conducted by Hanover Research, the 2024 K-12 Educator + AI Survey polled 482 teachers and administrators at schools and districts that are actively using AI in the classroom.

More than half of survey respondents (56%) reported that they are leveraging AI to create personalized learning experiences for students. Other uses included providing real-time performance tracking and feedback (cited by 52% of respondents), helping students with critical thinking skills (50%), proofreading writing (47%), and lesson planning (44%).

On the administrator side, top uses of AI included interpreting/analyzing student data (61%), managing student records (56%), and managing professional development (56%).

Both teachers and administrators were asked to rank the barriers to AI adoption in education settings. The top three challenges identified were: data privacy and security; insufficient training for teachers on how to use AI; and uncertainty about the efficacy of AI in improving student outcomes. Additional barriers cited were: concerns about the ethical use of generative AI; limited access to reliable internet for all students; and lack of technical support for AI implementation and maintenance.

Many schools are introducing new requirements and training opportunities to help prepare, support, secure, and equip educators with the tools they need to use technology effectively, the report found. More than half of teachers and administrators are now required to complete ed tech and cybersecurity training, according to survey data. And 20% of respondents said their schools and districts have create new job positions to meet the need for ed tech and AI expertise. The most common new roles include:

• Education technology specialist;
• Technology teacher;
• AI education researcher;
• Education data analyst;
• AI development expert;
• AI strategic scientist; and
• Ed tech consultant.

"We are at a pivotal moment in education. AI has moved beyond a theoretical opportunity or challenge; it's no longer a question of 'will we or won't we.' AI is not only here, but it is already being used in U.S. K-12 schools and around the world," said Ashley Andersen Zantop, chairman and CEO of Cambium Learning Group, in a statement. "Despite the varying challenges teachers, students, and school faculty currently face, the K-12 community continues to innovate and embrace new technology. As an EdTech organization serving more than 30 million students and more than 2.7 million teachers, we have a critical duty to operate as a worthy steward of our community's trust. We strive to remove barriers to opportunity by supporting our students, educators and families with solutions and thought leadership rooted in safe, responsible and effective use of AI and other emerging technologies that empower the people we serve."

The full report is available on the Cambian Learning site.