ROANOKE COUNTY, Va. (WDBJ) – As Roanoke County Public School students prepare to head back to the classroom, the division is preparing to lay down new ground rules for emerging technology. On Thursday, the Roanoke County school board met to discuss key updates to its artificial intelligence policy. School leaders said it\u2019s about being proactive.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur message about AI is basically grounded in this: AI is here. And so there\u2019s two ways you can deal with that, right? We can stick our head in the sand and pretend that AI is not here and that kids aren\u2019t using it… or we can be proactive and really be strategic and map out how to teach kids how to use AI as a tool without replacing the ability for them to think on their own,\u201d said Roanoke County Public Schools Superintendent, Dr. Jamie Soltis.<\/p>\n
Dr. Soltis said ignoring the progress of Artificial Intelligence is not an option. Instead, the division is implementing \u201cAI zones\u201d for teachers and students. Zone Zero bans AI use entirely, keeping work completely student-driven. Zone One permits AI only as a \u201cthinking tool\u201d for feedback, while Zone Two fully embraces AI for creative cognitive collaboration. But he stressed that no matter what the zone, brain development comes first.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut at the same time, as our brains develop when we\u2019re young, we need to develop those baseline skills to where we understand that AI is there to help support us, but it can\u2019t replace human thought,\u201d said Dr. Soltis.<\/p>\n
Roanoke County isn\u2019t the only division navigating the fine line of disruptive innovation. In Radford, school leaders are also concerned about maintaining core educational outcomes.<\/p>\n
\u201cArtificial Intelligence is here and who knows where it\u2019s going, but it can\u2019t take away original thoughts. And it cannot take away my handwriting, it cannot take away my firm handshake or my eye to eye contact,\u201d said Radford City Schools Superintendent, Dr. Adam Joyce. <\/p>\n
Radford\u2019s Assistant Superintendent Dr. Melissa McDaniel warned that over-reliance on these emerging technologies could rob students of key skills needed beyond the classroom.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf they are dependent on Artificial Intelligence or something else to create all of their projects and all of their writing, they\u2019re not really learning the process. And that\u2019s not creating a good citizen or good workforce for the future,\u201d said Dr. McDaniel.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s a reality that parents in the region are navigating directly. As students access flashier and quicker generative chatbots, concerns are mounting about when support turns to crutch.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe AI, it does throw a little curveball in there. But it can also turn to something where they\u2019re relying on that instead of using their critical thinking skills,\u201d said parent & teacher, Samantha Worles.<\/p>\n
Roanoke County school leaders agree that retaining those original, human component skills are paramount. Thursday\u2019s board discussion will set the compass for how to draw the line between innovation and original mindpower.<\/p>\n