Looking for help: A test to see if AI can help create social studies scaffolds that provide key assistance for ELLs

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Friday 7:45 am - Gold 2
  In Roundtable Session: Scaffolding Learning with AI

Abstract

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, 5 million students—just over 10 percent—of students enrolled in U.S. schools in 2021 were classified as English language learners. As teachers are struggling with this challenge, there is another challenge on the horizon, the proliferation of artificial intelligence. So we asked a simple question: Can AI be used to generate useful scaffolds to help teachers with English Language Learners in their classroom? Are teachers going to be able to use AI to quickly create quality scaffolds for their students? We used AI with three social studies lessons to generate 27 different scaffolds. We graded these scaffolds and found them lacking the tools for ELL learning, growth, and disciplinary work.

Authors

• Tierney B Hinman, Auburn University

• Jesus Tirado, Auburn University

• Jamie Harrison, Auburn University

• Matthew F. Summerlin, Auburn University

• Megan Andrews, Auburn University

• Sarah I. Bailey, Opelika City Schools

• Anna Poole, Auburn University