Teachers Use AI to Enhance Critical Thinking
Contrary to popular belief, the advent of AI technology in classrooms is not replacing student thinking. Instead, it’s being harnessed by educators to deepen critical thinking and bolster instruction, according to new research from SchoolAI. The study, titled “AI isn’t replacing thinking: Teachers are using SchoolAI to deepen it and boost engagement”, provides comprehensive evidence of how AI technology is being utilized in classrooms, providing valuable insights for educators, school leaders, and policymakers. [source]
Unveiling the Role of AI in Classrooms
The research analyzed over 23,000 teacher-created SchoolAI ‘Spaces’ used during the 2024-25 school year, spanning English language arts, math, science, and social studies across elementary, middle, and high school classrooms. The purpose of the study was to understand AI’s impact on student learning by examining how it’s being used in classrooms, what teachers built, and how students were asked to think when AI was involved.
How AI Enhances Learning
The data revealed that higher-order thinking was more prevalent than simple recall across subjects and grade levels. Seventy-three percent of lessons required conceptual understanding, while 59 percent prompted students to analyze information, and 58 percent required students to evaluate ideas or make judgments. Furthermore, more than 75 percent of AI-supported lessons remained grounded in core academic curriculum, indicating that teachers are enhancing familiar instruction with AI, not replacing it.
AI: A Tool for Deepening Reasoning
Caleb Hicks, founder and CEO of SchoolAI, addressed the speculation around AI’s impact on learning. He emphasized that the research provided concrete evidence of how teachers are actually using AI. When teachers design the experience and set clear expectations, AI becomes a tool that encourages students towards deeper reasoning, analysis, and judgment, thereby supporting rigorous thinking rather than replacing it. This underscores the value of AI as a tool for classroom learning.
Creating Interactive Learning Experiences with AI
The study also shed light on how teachers are using AI to create interactive, engaging learning experiences while maintaining academic rigor. In science classrooms, about 25 percent of Spaces encouraged open-ended investigation, while role-play and simulation appeared in 18-20 percent of reading and social studies lessons. Teachers are also cognizant of the importance of boundaries in responsible AI use, designing experiences that push students towards deeper reasoning rather than seeking shortcuts.
Conclusion
The findings of this study challenge the common fears about AI undermining learning. The evidence shows that when teachers lead the design, AI can enhance critical thinking, boost engagement, and support responsible instruction across classrooms. The study’s principal research scientist, Cynthia Chiong, emphasized that the focus was on practice, not predictions, and the aim was to understand the kind of thinking teachers are intentionally promoting when AI is involved. The findings offer valuable evidence of how teacher-led design shapes meaningful and responsible use of AI in classrooms.
By demonstrating the potential of AI in enhancing educational practices, the study gives educators, leaders, and policymakers a deeper understanding of how to leverage technology in the classroom. Ultimately, AI isn’t replacing thinking, it’s deepening it.
