AI News Monitor

Connect Charter School in southwest Calgary is pioneering the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline some of the most time-consuming tasks for teachers: drafting lesson plans and writing report card comments. The school, which focuses on science and technology, has developed two AI tools—Ally and Harmony—in collaboration with a University of Calgary researcher to reduce the cognitive load on educators.

Teachers like Brett Toner, who leads a creative technologies class, say the tools have been invaluable for sparking ideas and saving time. “It really can give you that spark in one minute rather than brainstorming for days or weeks,” Toner said. The AI generates lesson plans and report card comments, which teachers then refine to match their teaching style and voice.

While the school is embracing AI for administrative tasks, educators remain cautious about introducing AI directly into student learning. Soroush Sabbaghan, the University of Calgary researcher who helped develop the tools, emphasized the importance of building students’ critical thinking skills before integrating AI into classrooms.

Meanwhile, high school students in Calgary are already using AI tools like ChatGPT and DeepSeek for tasks ranging from schoolwork to recipe calculations. Some admit to using AI to complete assignments, raising concerns about academic integrity and the need for ethical guidelines.

As AI becomes more prevalent in education, Connect Charter School hopes its experiences will help inform the broader public school system. “We’re hopeful that by sharing what we’ve learned, we can help others navigate this evolving technology,” said Superintendent Chris Gilmour.

For now, the focus remains on empowering teachers while preparing students for a future where AI plays an increasingly significant role.