Technology
How to Build a Responsible AI Policy for Your Classroom - HoET262
In this episode of the House of EdTech Podcast, host Chris Nessie explores the critical topic of developing a responsible AI policy for classrooms. He shares personal reflections on the balance betwee...
How to Build a Responsible AI Policy for Your Classroom - HoET262
Technology •
0:00 / 0:00
Interactive Transcript
spk_0
I'm Mike Brilla, host of the Inspired Teacher Podcast, a part of the Education Podcast Network
spk_0
just like to show you're listening to now.
spk_0
Shows on the network are individually owned and opinions expressed may not reflect others.
spk_0
Find other interesting education podcasts at edupodcastnetwork.com.
spk_0
Coming up on episode 262 of the House of EdTech Podcast, I'm going to debate myself, tech
spk_0
or no tech.
spk_0
I've got three recommendations and how to build a responsible AI policy for your classroom.
spk_0
Strike up the band.
spk_0
Welcome to the House of EdTech.
spk_0
My name is Chris Nessie.
spk_0
The House of EdTech launched in 2014, giving me the opportunity to speak with teachers,
spk_0
leaders, and creators so you can more effectively integrate technology, strengthen your pedagogy,
spk_0
and have more confidence in your classroom and school so you can make an impact.
spk_0
Get involved with the podcast by visiting my website, christenessie.com.
spk_0
Using technology isn't difficult, and this is where it begins.
spk_0
This is the House of EdTech.
spk_0
Welcome back to another episode of the House of EdTech Podcast.
spk_0
Yes, thanks for making the show a part of your anytime, anywhere, professional development.
spk_0
It is as I record this, the middle of summer.
spk_0
School is starting in many places.
spk_0
For me, I've got about four weeks until the start of the 25-26 school year.
spk_0
So yes, that dates this episode.
spk_0
But what I'm going to talk about in today's episode is not something we want to gloss
spk_0
over.
spk_0
And it's very timely for the beginning of a school year.
spk_0
Now if you're listening to this episode, and it's not the beginning of the school year,
spk_0
and you haven't considered building a AI policy for your classroom or you don't have one,
spk_0
well, then it's a great time for you to pay attention to what I'm going to be sharing
spk_0
in this episode.
spk_0
All right, so that's the meat and potatoes, and that is going to come up in just a couple
spk_0
of minutes.
spk_0
But first, let's get into this episode's EdTech Thought.
spk_0
Tech or no tech, that is the question.
spk_0
That's a question that I've been struggling with for quite a few months as the 24-25 school
spk_0
year was wrapping up.
spk_0
And as I got here into the summer and as I'm thinking about next year, something that's
spk_0
been weighing on my mind is this idea of, and this is going to sound really shocking,
spk_0
going backwards.
spk_0
I am wrestling with the idea of going back to how I use to teach social studies and what
spk_0
teaching looked like in 2008, 2009.
spk_0
And I'm really struggling with this because yes, there is a lot of technology that
spk_0
can be used, but something I've noticed over the last four, five, six years.
spk_0
And this even before, you know, the pandemic and distance and remote learning and all that
spk_0
stuff, is are we inundating our students with too much tech?
spk_0
Are we placing expectations on them and making assumptions about their ability to use technology?
spk_0
Are we teaching technology the right way?
spk_0
I'm not here and I don't think I've ever said that I integrate technology perfectly.
spk_0
I am by no stretch, a perfect teacher, I am by no stretch, the perfect EdTech integrator.
spk_0
I am just like you and every day in the classroom is an experiment.
spk_0
Yeah, I have my lesson plans.
spk_0
Yeah, I have an idea of what I want to do and what I want things to look like.
spk_0
And then you introduce 100 plus variables to that equation, the students.
spk_0
And something that I have been debating is would it be more worth it and more beneficial
spk_0
to go backwards and use less technology in the classroom?
spk_0
Do more with paper and pencil.
spk_0
Now I'm not going to do anything crazy, like go back to overhead projectors.
spk_0
There's none in my building.
spk_0
So, you know, I'm debating going back to not full lecture, but tests, quizzes, homework.
spk_0
And I don't know if that's going to be the thing that makes this all work.
spk_0
I'm not 100% sure.
spk_0
I know that there are a lot of people talking on Blue Sky and X and Facebook and Instagram,
spk_0
all the places and a, you know, TikTok.
spk_0
Do we go backwards?
spk_0
Do I go backwards?
spk_0
Are you going backwards?
spk_0
I haven't made my final decision yet on what my classroom is going to look like in the
spk_0
coming school year, 25, 26 as I record this.
spk_0
But that's what's on my mind.
spk_0
What would a less tech classroom look like?
spk_0
Where my students are coming, I mean, I can't go back and use a textbook.
spk_0
I don't even have a textbook.
spk_0
I think I have one copy of it.
spk_0
Actually, you know what?
spk_0
I don't.
spk_0
I do not have a world history textbook.
spk_0
I don't know what to do.
spk_0
I'm thinking about it.
spk_0
Have you thought about it?
spk_0
Do you have any advice?
spk_0
Let me know.
spk_0
Send me an email, feedback at chrismessy.com.
spk_0
Let me know your thoughts on taking a step back from integrating so much technology.
spk_0
Now the funny thing is this might seem very contradictory to the main topic of this
spk_0
episode, which is going to be how to build a responsible AI policy for your classroom.
spk_0
So that's what's on my mind in terms of education, technology, and now obviously throwing AI
spk_0
on top of this.
spk_0
So again, what are you thinking?
spk_0
Feed back at chrismessy.com.
spk_0
All right.
spk_0
Now it's time for this episode's House of Ed Tech recommendation.
spk_0
And I've got three count them three recommendations for you.
spk_0
So the first one, this is no more copyright dot com.
spk_0
Now before you raise your pitch forks and think I'm doing something weird, this is actually
spk_0
pretty interesting.
spk_0
So on this website, no more copyright dot com.
spk_0
You can upload an image and it will generate using AI a unique and distinct version of
spk_0
what you give it.
spk_0
And now you will have a copyright free image based on something you want to use.
spk_0
So as I go over here, you can certainly there is upgrades and stuff, but you can upload
spk_0
an image and you can choose the quality and the aspect ratio and it will generate an
spk_0
image based on what you give it.
spk_0
So if you give it a copyrighted image, it will with AI generate a similar, but obviously
spk_0
not copyrighted type of image that is inspired by what you gave it.
spk_0
And you can try this at no more copyright dot com.
spk_0
Next up, this is also an AI based recommendation.
spk_0
This is what can AI do today dot com again, what can AI do today dot com.
spk_0
And on this website, according to them, as I'm recording this, they have analyzed 16,362
spk_0
AI tools and identified their capabilities using GPT 4.1 to bring you a free list of,
spk_0
and this is as of I'm recording this 83,054 tasks of what AI can do today.
spk_0
So this is pretty interesting.
spk_0
It will link you out to the tools and what it can do.
spk_0
So as I'm looking at this today, for example, using something called twisty, you can create
spk_0
presentations from different types using beauty AI face swap.
spk_0
You can swap faces in photos and videos using a tool called right hair.
spk_0
You can change hairstyles and colors in photos.
spk_0
And this is a list and it's an ongoing list and you can search for something you want
spk_0
to do.
spk_0
And it will recommend the AI tool that can do that as of today in the world we're living
spk_0
in as I'm recording this 2025 in August.
spk_0
So the website again is what AI can do today dot com.
spk_0
And my final recommendation and this is going to be the one that I think will really take
spk_0
off.
spk_0
So here we go.
spk_0
This one is called shuffle buddy dot com shuffle buddy dot com.
spk_0
According to this website and I came across this in the places I frequent never worry about
spk_0
seating charts again.
spk_0
So shuffle buddy is a free tool where you can put in the names kind of design your little
spk_0
classroom and you lay out and it will make a seating chart.
spk_0
And then you can add different criteria.
spk_0
So from shuffle buddy dot com when seats don't shuffle students struggle.
spk_0
Even with excellent classroom management strategies stationary students settle into
spk_0
unhelpful habits.
spk_0
You need a system that supports the behavior you're looking for.
spk_0
Shuffle buddy is here to help.
spk_0
So it says you can by frequently randomizing your seating charts.
spk_0
You can break down social barriers.
spk_0
You can gather contributions from all your students.
spk_0
You can build a strong classroom structure with shuffle buddy.
spk_0
You can maintain control.
spk_0
You can satisfy your students accommodations.
spk_0
Think of your IEP and your 504 students.
spk_0
You can keep certain students apart and any other criteria you want to give it.
spk_0
There's three easy steps.
spk_0
You enter the students and the rules and it will then generate randomized seating charts
spk_0
in one click.
spk_0
This is created by Josh Pullen and he built shuffle buddy for his own classroom and now for
spk_0
yours.
spk_0
Shuffle buddy is built on in-depth teacher feedback.
spk_0
He's constantly working with other teachers to observe how they use shuffle buddy and tweak
spk_0
it to better meet the needs.
spk_0
You can reach out to him.
spk_0
Go to shuffle buddy.
spk_0
Try this out.
spk_0
It's free.
spk_0
I'm looking forward to trying this out at the start of the school year.
spk_0
So check out shuffle buddy and that's at shuffle buddy dot com.
spk_0
These are my three edtech recommendations for this episode.
spk_0
No more copyright dot com.
spk_0
What AI can do today dot com and shuffle buddy.
spk_0
There's a links that are a swipe or a tap away or you can go out to chrismesci dot com
spk_0
slash 262 and that will give you the links to these recommendations.
spk_0
And now let's take a two minute time out and then we'll get to the featured content.
spk_0
Let's talk about a tech tool you might not be using yet but absolutely should.
spk_0
Mint mobile.
spk_0
As teachers we're all about maximizing resources.
spk_0
Whether it's squeezing the last bit of ink out of a marker or finding innovative ways to
spk_0
make the most of your classroom tech.
spk_0
Why not apply that same philosophy to your cell phone bill.
spk_0
Mint mobile offers premium wireless service starting at just $15 a month.
spk_0
Yes you heard that right.
spk_0
$15 a month.
spk_0
That's less than the cost of a box of dry erase markers.
spk_0
And as tech savvy educators I know you'll appreciate the simplicity.
spk_0
You can manage everything online or through their app.
spk_0
No sneaky fees.
spk_0
No waiting on hold with customer service for hours.
spk_0
Here's the best part for us tech enthusiasts.
spk_0
Mint mobile runs on the nation's largest 5G network.
spk_0
So whether you're using your phone to grade assignments,
spk_0
share lesson planes on Google Drive, or listening to this very podcast,
spk_0
you will have the speed and reliability that you need.
spk_0
And as educators let's be real.
spk_0
Every dollar counts.
spk_0
Saving money on your phone bill means more money in your pocket to spend on things that matter.
spk_0
Like investing in and tech tools.
spk_0
Grabbing supplies for your classroom.
spk_0
Or just treating yourself to something nice.
spk_0
Switching to Mint mobile is super easy.
spk_0
I did it four years ago.
spk_0
You can keep your phone number and your phone.
spk_0
Because who has time to update all those school contacts?
spk_0
They'll even ship you a SIM card or provide you with an eSIM for free.
spk_0
So why not make the switch today?
spk_0
Head to chrismesie.com slash mint mobile to get started.
spk_0
That's chrismesie.com slash mint mobile to cut your wireless bill to just $15 a month.
spk_0
Save money, stay connected, and teach smarter.
spk_0
That's mint mobile.
spk_0
Let's get back to the show.
spk_0
All right, today we are talking about
spk_0
building a responsible AI policy for your classroom.
spk_0
And this is something that you need to start thinking about if you haven't already.
spk_0
Whether we're talking about chat GPT or Grammarly or Magic School or all the AI tools inside of Canva.
spk_0
And of course, hundreds of others.
spk_0
AI tools are, I mean, I could say they're on the rise, but that is certainly an understatement.
spk_0
So we know that artificial intelligence, whether it's gendered of AI or image stuff,
spk_0
AI is transforming the way students learn and interact with our content.
spk_0
But here's the thing.
spk_0
These tools aren't inherently good or bad.
spk_0
It's how we teach students to use them that makes the difference.
spk_0
So if you're not sure where to begin, this episode is going to be a good starting point.
spk_0
The first thing we need to talk about is why you need a responsible AI policy.
spk_0
Let's start with the big question.
spk_0
Why create an AI policy in the first place?
spk_0
The absence of guidance creates chaos.
spk_0
We know that if there were no rules in school and if we're left to our own devices in just about any
spk_0
facet of our life, things are going to go wrong.
spk_0
So if students don't know the boundaries of AI, they'll make assumptions.
spk_0
And we all know what happens when you assume.
spk_0
I'm not going to say what you think I was going to say.
spk_0
Those assumptions might not align with academic integrity or your lesson objectives or your
spk_0
learning goals or ethical tech use in general. A responsible classroom AI policy will give you the
spk_0
opportunity to set clear expectations, promote critical thinking, encourage transparency and honesty,
spk_0
and model.
spk_0
Model, that's what teaching is. We're going to model real world digital citizenship.
spk_0
AI isn't going anywhere. So it is our responsibility as teachers to teach students how to engage with
spk_0
it responsibly. So I've broken this down into five elements. All right.
spk_0
Number one, we're going to define what AI is and what it isn't. Number two, I'm going to clarify
spk_0
when and how AI could be used. Number three, we're going to want to promote transparency and
spk_0
attribution. Number four, we want to include privacy and tool approval guidelines.
spk_0
Number five, we want to make it collaborative and flexible. So let's start with defining what AI
spk_0
is in our classroom policy. First, we want to start by making the invisible visible. A lot of
spk_0
students and some teachers still don't realize that tools like Grammarly or Google's smart
spk_0
composition integrations and Canvas writing assistant are powered by AI. Your policy could
spk_0
should, I mean, really think about it, include a simple definition of AI examples of AI tools
spk_0
that your students might encounter and a note that the list will evolve over time.
spk_0
This is going to build awareness and it will set the foundation for informed decisions
spk_0
by you and your students. Number two, you're going to want your classroom policy to dictate
spk_0
sort of when and how you're going to use AI in your class. This is the heart of your classroom
spk_0
policy. You need to define what is acceptable, what is off limits, and what is somewhere in between.
spk_0
Some examples, brainstorming ideas with AI, go for it. Don't use AI to complete an entire essay
spk_0
or assignment. You shouldn't be allowing that. You should allow AI to check grammar.
spk_0
That should be allowed with teacher permission, whether it's Grammarly or using tools that are
spk_0
now built into Google for education. Something you shouldn't allow, submitting AI-generated work
spk_0
as original thought. That violates academic integrity and these are things you're going to talk
spk_0
about with your students. The goal isn't to shut the door on AI but to open it with guardrails
spk_0
or if we want to do bowling, put the bumpers up. You're training your students not just for your
spk_0
classroom but for the world beyond it. And this goes beyond your subject matter, science,
spk_0
social studies, math. Okay, AI is going to be a part of all that. We've got to prepare the kids.
spk_0
To go outside of the school. Number three, your policy should promote transparency and the idea
spk_0
of attribution. If a student uses AI to support their work, they should say so. So we want to encourage
spk_0
them to get comfortable saying or using phrases in their writing like, I used chat GPT to generate
spk_0
topic ideas or I revised my outline using magic school's feedback tool. We need to normalize
spk_0
honest usage instead of sneaky shortcuts. All right, we don't want our kids to feel like AI is
spk_0
this evil dark back alley thing. All right. You might even build in some reflection prompts in
spk_0
some of your assignments. Ask your students what did AI help you with? What did you still have
spk_0
to do yourself? How did the tool affect your thinking? Get them to be reflective.
spk_0
Number four, a responsible AI policy needs to include privacy and tool approval guidelines.
spk_0
We know that not all AI tools are created equal, especially when it comes to student privacy.
spk_0
Your policy should remind students to only use tools that are school or you approved.
spk_0
Remind your students to avoid signing up for anything that requires personal data and lets it
spk_0
unless it's vetted. Get your students to ask before using a new tool that they found online.
spk_0
There's AI tools popping up all the time. If you start to have this conversation with them,
spk_0
you will, you're probably going to learn something, right? Because we can't keep up with all the tools.
spk_0
I can't keep up with all the tools. Sorry. You're not just protecting student data. You are modeling
spk_0
good digital citizenship and good digital thinking. So your policy should be considerate of privacy
spk_0
and again, when we have these honest conversations with our students, putting in approval guidelines
spk_0
is not going to seem far reaching or like you're overreaching into what they're doing.
spk_0
And number five, you want to make your policy collaborative. Get them involved and you want it
spk_0
to be flexible. AI is changing every day. I recommended earlier in this episode, a tool that tells you
spk_0
what AI can do today and there are new tools popping up in new things that AI can do every single day.
spk_0
AI is going to be more powerful at the end of this episode than when you started listening.
spk_0
Let's be honest. But number five, okay, make it collaborative, make it flexible.
spk_0
Here's the secret sauce. Don't make your AI policy alone. Involve the students.
spk_0
We've heard for years about making our initial classroom rules and involving students so they take
spk_0
ownership of the classroom. Do the same thing with an AI policy. Hold a class discussion. Ask them
spk_0
when is AI helpful? When does it cross the line? What should quote unquote responsible use look
spk_0
like? You might be surprised at the thoughtful insights that your students actually bring to the
spk_0
table. And once the policy is live, revisit it periodically. Maybe at the end of the marking period
spk_0
or the semester, AI is evolving and your policy should evolve as well. Now, that was the five things.
spk_0
Let me give you a little bonus thing. And this is more overall. Okay, this is a great opportunity
spk_0
through your policy to really be considered about integrating AI literacy into your instruction
spk_0
in general. Don't let your AI policy just live on a piece of paper or a giant post it that you
spk_0
stick on the wall or in your syllabus or, you know, as a resource in your Google classroom.
spk_0
Model responsible AI use during instruction show students how you use tools like a chat GPT or a
spk_0
poll, etc, etc to generate discussion prompts. Model for them. How you analyze AI generated content
spk_0
and do it together. Critique its accuracy. Teach your students how to become better prompt writers.
spk_0
The more you normalize responsible transparent use, the more they are going to internalize it.
spk_0
And this would be effective integration. And all we started with today was talking about how to
spk_0
kind of set some guidelines and rules and expectations for what AI use will look like or could
spk_0
look like in your classroom. My final thoughts on this. A classroom AI policy. It's not just about
spk_0
compliance. It's about the culture that you're trying to create in your classroom with your students.
spk_0
It's going to signal to your students that together we value honesty. We embrace new tools.
spk_0
And we are not afraid of change. We just want to do it right. So as the school year gets rolling
spk_0
or if you are listening to this and you're like, wait a second, it's November. It's February. I
spk_0
don't have a policy. Take the time to create your policy or refine your classroom AI policy.
spk_0
Whether it's a formal document, a shared agreement, it'll be one of the most relevant things you
spk_0
can put in place at the moment you decide to do it. Now I've created an example for you.
spk_0
If you go to chrisnessie.com slash AI policy and there's a link in the show notes or if you go
spk_0
out to chrisnessie.com slash 262, it'll be linked there again. chrisnessie.com slash AI policy.
spk_0
It's a Google doc. It's going to force you to make a copy. It's for free. Go to the link. Make a
spk_0
copy. It's yours. My logo is on the bottom. If you want to take it out, cool copy paste, whatever
spk_0
you want to do. But I have it broken down. Hinder garden in first grade, second and third grade,
spk_0
fourth and fifth grade, sixth, seventh and eighth grade, and high school. Good starting point for you.
spk_0
So that is my free gift to you at this moment in time. chrisnessie.com slash AI policy.
spk_0
And if you've created your own policy or if you've got questions reach out to me. I am at Mr.
spk_0
Nessie on x on blue sky at house of ed tech on Instagram. The email feedback at chrisnessie.com
spk_0
reach out to me. Let me know what you're doing and we can continue to learn and grow together and
spk_0
have this conversation because as I say in every episode, I want to keep the conversations going.
spk_0
So I would love to share your examples in a future episode. All you have to do is share them
spk_0
with me. That's all I got for today. Let's put a bow on episode 262.
spk_0
Thanks for joining me for another episode of the house of ed tech. If you haven't yet,
spk_0
hit subscribe or follow where you're listening to this. And let's make the house of ed tech your
spk_0
go-to for ed tech professional development. You'll find the links and the resources that I talked
spk_0
about in this episode on my website chrisnessie.com slash 262. And in case you didn't know, I'm always
spk_0
excited to hear your feedback. Gave your questions. So drop me an email feedback at chrisnessie.com
spk_0
or leave a voicemail chrisnessie.com slash voicemail. Let's keep that conversation going.
spk_0
And if you know an educator who would love this content, share this episode with them.
spk_0
Your support helps me reach more people and build a stronger ed tech community. I want to give a
spk_0
big shout out to my awesome supporters Leo Calbush, Brian Carpenter, Aaron Cummings, Jeff Herb,
spk_0
and Matt Miller. If you'd like to join this amazing group, go to chrisnessie.com slash awesome.
spk_0
Your support truly makes a difference. Before I say goodbye for this episode,
spk_0
I want to give a shout out to Mike Brilla. Mike Brilla was the EPN podcast that I featured at the
spk_0
meeting of this episode, the inspired educator. And I was on Mike's podcast. I was supposed to be
spk_0
the first guest, but we had some connection issues like scheduling, my fault really, not Mike's.
spk_0
So I was guest number two behind Jake Miller. Jake Miller is a good dude, educational duck tape,
spk_0
love me some Jake Miller. But I will also have a link in this episode to my appearance on
spk_0
Mike Brilla's podcast. And speaking of Jake Miller,
spk_0
I want to give a public shout out to Jake. He sent me a copy of his book, Educational
spk_0
Duck Tape, your guide to selecting the right tools for your classroom. I want a contest
spk_0
from listening to Jake's podcast. And he finally came through and sent me the copy of his book.
spk_0
But if you're not listening to Educational Duck Tape, Jake's doing a great job. Certainly,
spk_0
Mike's also doing a wonderful job. Listen to both of their podcasts. That's all I have to say
spk_0
here at the end of this episode. So let me finish with this. On the next episode on August 17th, 2025,
spk_0
we will go further with Educational Technology, share the podcast, and remember,
spk_0
using technology is difficult. Just give it a try.
Topics Covered
Inspired Teacher Podcast
House of EdTech Podcast
AI policy for classrooms
integrating technology in education
EdTech recommendations
responsible AI usage
classroom technology debate
professional development for teachers
AI tools for education
educational technology trends
effective pedagogy
teacher resources
classroom management strategies
student engagement
technology in teaching