Bulloch Schools launch Gen AI for high school students

Bulloch County Schools is expanding its use of digital resources by adding access to Generative Artificial Intelligence, known as Gen AI, for high school students beginning on March 23.

“Our goal is to empower both students and staff to navigate this technology with integrity and purpose,” said Superintendent of Schools Charles Wilson. “It is a tool for thinking, but not a replacement for it.”

The implementation is limited to two Gen AI tools: Google Gemini and Notebook Language Model (LM). Each is housed within the protected online space, like a “walled garden,” of the school district’s Google App Suite of learning tools with which students are already safe and familiar.

“Gen AI is a specific kind of AI technology that focuses only on creating new, original things such as text, images, video, audio and software code,” said Teresa Phillips, the school district’s assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, who put together an extensive district-wide team of teachers, principals, technology administrators, and support staff who have worked toward this launch goal for the past two years. “Gen AI will always work best when partnered with human skills, so we’ve prioritized AI-readiness for both staff and students to guide its safe and effective use,” Phillips added.

The district acknowledges that the technology is new, so it’s important teachers, parents, and students work together to become good digital citizens of its use. Just as previous generations learned to use computers, the internet and email to help them be more successful, we now must responsibly teach Gen AI to students as this era’s resource tool.

“This means we are all learning how to use Gen AI as a helpful tool while always staying in charge of and accountable for what we create and use,” said Phillips. “By teaching these skills, we will help students be better prepared for future jobs where knowing how to use technology wisely and ethically will be a superpower.”

Student safety is Bulloch County Schools’ top priority. The school district’s use of a “walled garden” approach with the digital learning tools it uses helps ensure employees and students remain in compliance with federal and state laws, school board policies and the student code of conduct.

“Keeping personal information safe and private is our most important job,” said Phillips. “The time we’ve taken to plan this launch and train our teachers first, will help us better model for students how to protect personal privacy and spot any unfair biases a Gen AI program may generate.”

The school district already teaches students to question what they see and learn on other digital platforms like the internet and social media, so it wants to teach them to question what Gen AI tells them as well, so that they become smarter researchers and better problem-solvers who double-check everything to make sure it is true and fair.

Students will be taught to view Gen AI as a “thought partner” or “brainstorming buddy” rather than a replacement for thinking. Teachers will communicate clear academic expectations which will help students understand when and how it’s appropriate to use Gen AI for an assignment.

“Our students will be taught to use Gen AI to expand their ideas while learning the essential habit of citing their sources accurately,” Phillips added.

High school students will have access to Gemini and NotebookLM at school, as well as at home through their student Google accounts. The school district flags any misuse at either location. Parents are encouraged to engage with these tools at home with their child. If families have any further questions or concerns about the launch of Gen AI in Bulloch County Schools, please email them to [email protected].

Answers to frequently asked questions will be posted at bullochschools.org/GenAI or visit the Learning Resources link under the Learning & Support Tab on the school district’s website homepage.