AI in the Classroom: Finding the Balance Between Tool and Shortcut

Ryan Koon, Vice-Principal of High School and Science Department Chair

In the rapidly shifting technological landscape, it’s far too easy to reduce the debate over inclusion of AI tools in education into a binary choice: either view AI as a shortcut that removes effort, or as a tool that helps students reach their full potential. In reality, it’s not a choice between two views, but a reality of two functions, and it’s the educator’s job to find the balance.

We believe that we cannot simply bury our heads in the sand and ignore the existence of AI, yet we must remain incredibly cautious. Once you introduce a tool to a student, you cannot put the genie back in the bottle. Technology is a tool and a gift from God, but it is not a replacement for the human connection and mentorship that happens in a classroom.

The Challenge of Cognitive Offloading

A primary concern for modern educators is a phenomenon called cognitive offloading. This occurs when a student gives the thinking portion of a task to an AI tool. While tools like calculators are appropriate for handling routine arithmetic in high-level calculus, the same logic does not apply to third graders learning their multiplication tables. In the humanities, a teacher does not assign a research paper because they need to know the information, but because they want students to master the research process: finding sources, verifying their authenticity, creating outlines, and synthesizing information.

A great deal of learning happens when a student wrestles with an assignment. This "friction" is where growth happens. Said another way, students need enough chances to get something wrong so they eventually get it right. AI is great at providing quick, easy answers, and at times that might be appropriate. But schools have a responsibility to be the guardians of productive struggle. Consider instruction in the writing process. The goal is not merely to produce a final paper; it is to learn how to think, organize, and create. To protect this, schools must double down on process over product. By valuing notecards, outlines, and rough drafts, we ensure that the learning happens in the work itself.

Finding the Right Time and Place

Caution does not mean exclusion. Our goal is to model the ethical use of AI as a tool for enhancement. For instance, platforms like NotebookLM allow students to upload their own notes and slides to generate review material without pulling from the entire internet. For a student who feels overwhelmed and asks, "Where do I even start studying?", AI can act as a digital tutor, helping students verify their knowledge without doing the work for them. When used to support study habits rather than bypass the labor of learning, AI becomes a valuable tool.

Lessons from Rome

During the 2025 National Catholic Youth Conference, Pope Leo XIV urged students to resist using AI as a homework shortcut:

"AI can process information quickly, but it cannot replace human intelligence. And don't ask it to do your homework for you. It cannot offer real wisdom…AI will not judge between what is truly right and wrong.” 

In the same month, Pope Leo reminded us in his apostolic letter “Drawing New Maps of Hope” that, “We are not born professionals; every university itinerary is built step by step, book by book, year by year, sacrifice after sacrifice.” These messages highlight a vital truth: expertise is built step-by-step. Skipping process skips formation.

Drawing New Maps of Hope

The Saint Joseph’s Way

At Saint Joseph’s, we put this philosophy into practice through a commitment to personal accompaniment. We believe that even the difficult moments in education are teachable, and we choose to meet students in the "friction" of their middle and high school years. 

For over 30 years, Saint Joseph’s has had remarkable success at forming resilient, academically curious students who are exceptionally strong writers. We ensure our graduates are equipped to analyze the world, discern what is true and good, and possess the critical thinking skills necessary to adopt new tools without sacrificing independent thought. By prioritizing the person over the program, we prepare students for the future without losing the essence of what makes them human.

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The Saint Joseph’s Way is our unique approach to Catholic education, defined by four pillars: Infinite Worth, Positivity of Reality, Fulfillment in Christ, and Personal Accompaniment. These principles guide our daily life and our response to modern challenges. Through Personal Accompaniment, our faculty supports students as they exercise their freedom to verify the Christian proposal in every area of study, including the ethical use of technology.
 

Learn more about our unique approach to education