Digital/AI Literacy

Read more about students’ ability to use technology, including artificial intelligence, to discover, evaluate, and utilize information

Explainer

Ava reads at Indian Run Elementary School in Dublin, Ohio. The school integrates iPads, laptops, and books into reading time.
What Is Digital Literacy?
For educators, digital literacy means much more than learning to read online. Here's a guide to understanding it.
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English teacher Casey Cuny reads in his classroom as a screen displays guidelines for using artificial intelligence at Valencia High School in Santa Clarita, Calif., on Aug. 27, 2025.
English teacher Casey Cuny reads in his classroom as a screen displays guidelines for using artificial intelligence at Valencia High School in Santa Clarita, Calif., on Aug. 27, 2025. A new report raises serious concerns about the potentially negative effects of AI use on students.
Jae C. Hong/AP
Artificial Intelligence Rising Use of AI in Schools Comes With Big Downsides for Students
A report by the Center for Democracy and Technology looks at teachers' and students' experiences with the technology.
Jennifer Vilcarino & Lauraine Langreo, October 8, 2025
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6 min read
Artificial Intelligence Quiz Quiz Yourself: How Much Do You Know About AI Policy, PD and Practical Use in Your District?
Answer 7 questions about AI Policy, PD and Practical Use in Your District?
October 3, 2025
Illustration of three educators in hard hats lifting up a very large letter "I" next to a large letter A.
DigitalVision Vectors
Artificial Intelligence Tracker Which States Require Schools to Have AI Policies?
Education Week is tracking which states are mandating that schools adopt AI policies.
Kevin Bushweller, September 23, 2025
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1 min read
Virtual hands both toss out and try to reach a brain thrown from a laptop computer.
Benjamin Currie for Education Week
Artificial Intelligence Opinion AI in the Classroom Is Often Harmful. Why Are Educators Falling Prey to the Hype?
“AI is seductive for those who regard education as a series of steps toward a credential,” writes Alfie Kohn.
Alfie Kohn, September 22, 2025
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5 min read
College & Workforce Readiness Spotlight Spotlight on Rethinking High School: Integrating Career Prep & Academic Learning
This Spotlight will provide insights into real-world industry-focused learning that can help prepare students for the workforce.
September 19, 2025
English teacher Casey Cuny, center, helps a student input a prompt into ChatGPT on a Chromebook during class at Valencia High School in Santa Clarita, Calif., on Aug. 27, 2025.
English teacher Casey Cuny, center, helps a student input a prompt into ChatGPT on a Chromebook during class at Valencia High School in Santa Clarita, Calif., on Aug. 27, 2025. Teachers have mixed opinions about the impact of AI in the classroom.
Jae C. Hong/AP
Artificial Intelligence Here's How Teachers Really Feel About the Rise of AI in K-12 Education
Artificial intelligence has been used for administrative tasks and lesson planning in the past. What about this school year?
Jennifer Vilcarino, September 16, 2025
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1 min read
Artificial intelligence concept, coded human head, digital, one zero human profile, negative impact on brain
iStock/Getty
Artificial Intelligence From Our Research Center Is AI Good for Students? Here’s Why Many Educators Doubt It
AI is undermining students' learning, many educators say. It's also saving educators tons of time.
Arianna Prothero, September 15, 2025
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1 min read
People look at a photo of Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA who was shot and killed, at a vigil in his memory, Sept. 11, 2025, in Orem, Utah.
People look at a photo of Charlie Kirk, the CEO and co-founder of Turning Point USA, who was shot and killed, at a vigil in his memory, Sept. 11, 2025, in Orem, Utah. Talking in class about incidents like Kirk's assassination takes careful planning.
Lindsey Wasson/AP
Classroom Technology How Teachers Can Talk to Students About Charlie Kirk's Assassination
Avoiding discussion of difficult topics in school is a missed learning opportunity.
Alyson Klein & Jennifer Vilcarino, September 12, 2025
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6 min read
A computer screen in English teacher Casey Cuny's classroom shows ChatGPT during class at Valencia High School in Santa Clarita, Calif., on Aug. 27, 2025.
A computer screen in English teacher Casey Cuny's classroom shows ChatGPT during class at Valencia High School in Santa Clarita, Calif., on Aug. 27, 2025. Experts say it is important for schools to help parents learn how to use parental controls for AI tools such as ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Microsoft Copilot.
Jae C. Hong/AP
Artificial Intelligence ChatGPT Will Soon Have Parental Controls. How Schools Can Help Parents Use Them
Parental controls can complement AI literacy instruction in schools, so long as parents know how to activate them.
Arianna Prothero, September 12, 2025
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7 min read
Quinn, a 3rd grader, works on a lesson in the technology class at Boys’ Latin School of Maryland on Oct. 24, 2024 in Baltimore, Md. The students coded small balls called "Sphero Minis" and used coding to direct them from house to house (or paper bag house to paper bag house) trick or treating.
Quinn, a 3rd grader, works on a lesson in a technology class at Boys’ Latin School of Maryland on Oct. 24, 2024 in Baltimore, Md. The students coded small balls called "Sphero Minis" and used coding to direct them from paper bag house to paper bag house trick or treating. The rise of generative AI has started a discussion about whether learning to code is still important.
Jaclyn Borowski/Education Week
Artificial Intelligence AI Can Generate Code. Is That a Threat to Computer Science Education?
Some tech CEOs have claimed that learning to code won't be necessary. Computer science educators disagree.
Lauraine Langreo, September 12, 2025
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6 min read
Questioning or rejecting interactive AI (artificial intelligence).
iStock/Getty
Artificial Intelligence ‘It Will Stunt My Growth as a Teacher’: 3 Arguments Against AI in the Classroom
Three veteran teachers share their concerns about using AI for instruction.
Lauraine Langreo, September 11, 2025
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7 min read
Humans and AI work together to design curriculum.
Islenia Mil for Education Week
Artificial Intelligence Reported Essay Is There a Healthy Middle Ground on AI in Schools? Try Skeptical Optimism
How students and teachers can learn to put a human touch on everything AI produces.
Kevin Bushweller, September 8, 2025
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13 min read
U.S. First Lady Melania Trump participates in the Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education meeting in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Sept. 4, 2025.
U.S. first lady Melania Trump participates in the Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education meeting in the East Room of the White House in Washington on Sept. 4, 2025. The first lady is calling for students and educators to use AI to help solve community problems.
Yuri Gripas/Sipa via AP
Artificial Intelligence Melania Trump Issues an AI Challenge for Students. Will It Help Build AI Literacy?
The challenge invites K-12 students and educators to solve real-world problems with the help of AI.
Arianna Prothero & Lauraine Langreo, September 5, 2025
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6 min read
Photo illustration of woman using AI on laptop computer.
iStock
Artificial Intelligence Are AI Teacher Assistants Reliable? What to Know
Without diligence, these AI tools can cause problems.
Arianna Prothero, August 20, 2025
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7 min read
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