SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (KY3) – Springfield Public Schools has launched its first artificial intelligence handbook, a 36-page guide built to give students and staff guidance on using AI in the classroom instead of banning it.
Bruce Douglas, SPS chief information officer, said the handbook aims to provide clarity.
“We want to make sure that people have clarity about when to use it, how to use it appropriately and how that fits within our educational environment,” Douglas said.
AI literacy framework
The handbook breaks down SPS’ AI literacy framework into four pillars that encourage AI as a supportive tool while keeping human judgment and safety at the forefront.
Douglas said the district’s curriculum remains the foundation for teaching students critical thinking skills.
“We’re focused first and foremost on our robust curriculum and instructional practices that help teach critical thinking to our students and then, how do we layer on the conversation of AI?” Douglas said.
University perspective
Dr. Lloyd Smith, a professor of computer science at Missouri State University, said incorporating AI into the classroom is important for students’ futures.
“We certainly want students to use AI; their future employers are going to expect them to know how to use it. But we’re still figuring out the best way for them to use it and the best way to teach them to use it,” Smith said.
SPS guidelines emphasize human oversight, defining AI as an assistant rather than a replacement for human judgment. Smith said AI should never replace human thinking.
“We want students to think, we want them to solve problems, but we want them to use AI to help them with background information and foundational information,” Smith said.
SPS says the handbook is version 1.0 and the district will continue gathering feedback from students, faculty and families before making changes.
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