How is Apple Intelligence going to change classroom? A Teacher's Guide

The next major release of iOS in Oct 2024 is Apple Intelligence and it is going to change how iPhone user interacts with their personal devices.  We’re looking at another leap forward—a set of AI-driven tools designed to make learning more interactive, creative, and accessible. 

But how can Apple Intelligence make a difference for our students, and what should we be mindful of as we bring these tools into our classrooms? Let’s explore.

Part 1: What is Apple Intelligence?

Imagine you had a classroom assistant that could help students write better essays, create art for a history project, and even organize their homework—all at the click of a button. That’s what Apple Intelligence aims to do. It's a suite of AI-powered features seamlessly integrated into iOS devices like iPhones and iPads, designed to help users work smarter and be more creative. Some of the key features include:

• Writing Tools:
  Imagine a student writing an essay about the Civil War, and they get stuck on how to express their ideas. Apple’s writing tools can suggest edits, improve clarity, and even summarize key points—like having a personal tutor in their pocket.
  
  
• Image Playground:
  Students can bring their creative ideas to life by generating images from simple prompts or sketches. Picture a student learning about ecosystems: they could create vibrant illustrations of rainforests or coral reefs to deepen their understanding of the material.
  
  
• Siri Overhaul:
  Siri is now smarter and more capable, thanks to enhanced language processing and integration with ChatGPT. Students can ask for research help or get definitions while they’re doing assignments, making Siri a study partner rather than just a digital assistant.
  
  
• Genmoji:
  Let’s say your students are working on personal narrative projects. They can create custom avatars, called Genmoji, to represent themselves—a fun way for them to explore digital storytelling and build their sense of identity.

Part 2: Possible Uses for Students

As educators, we’re always on the lookout for tools that enhance learning, and Apple Intelligence offers some exciting possibilities for students:

•  Instant Research Assistance:
  The integration with ChatGPT means students can ask Siri or even Apple's writing tools to help them summarize large articles, generate outlines, or explain difficult concepts. This can streamline research, giving students a more interactive way to explore topics.

• Creative Projects:
  With Image Playground and Genmoji, students can bring their creativity to life in ways that were previously difficult without advanced software. Whether they’re creating visual aids for a presentation or expressing a story through images, Apple Intelligence can help foster deeper engagement in subjects that require visual thinking.

• Improved Writing Skills:
  With the AI-driven writing tools, students can instantly improve their grammar, sentence structure, and overall writing quality. This can be a game-changer for students who struggle with written communication or need help crafting their thoughts more clearly.However, with great power comes great responsibility. These tools need to be used in a way that supports learning, not shortcuts it.

Part 3: New Issues on the Horizon

With the rollout of Apple Intelligence, there are potential challenges we need to address to ensure equity and proper use in the classroom.

A) The “Have and Have-Not” Gap: Not All Students Have Access

One major issue is access. The most advanced features of Apple Intelligence, like AI-powered writing and image tools, are only available on devices like the iPhone 15 Pro. This creates a divide between students who have these devices and those who don’t. How can we ensure that all students benefit equally from the technology, rather than exacerbating the existing digital divide? 

Some schools may be able to provide these devices, but what about classrooms where funding isn’t available? As educators, it will be important to find ways to level the playing field, ensuring that those without access to Apple’s latest tech aren’t left behind.

B) The Temptation of AI-Assisted Assignments

Another challenge is that Apple Intelligence could be seen by students as an easy way to complete assignments. Since features like writing assistance are available for free on the device, some students may be tempted to rely too heavily on AI tools to complete essays, projects, or homework without putting in their own effort.

This raises the question: where do we draw the line between using AI for legitimate assistance and letting it do the work for them? Teachers will need to develop clear guidelines about what is acceptable use for Apple Intelligence and ensure students understand the value of their own learning process.

C) Parental Awareness and Understanding

A third challenge lies in parental awareness. Many parents may not fully understand how Apple Intelligence works, or they might not even realize the capabilities these devices now have. Some may assume AI tools are just productivity aids, not fully understanding that students could be using them to complete homework or even avoid learning the material.

Teachers may need to communicate and share information about these changes to the iOS functionalities. 

Next Week we will share a FAQ about Apple Intelligence and also some perspectives on using Apple in English and STEM classes.