How an AI-Enabled Teacher in Prince William County Provides Immediate Feedback to Students

Students in Diana Betancourt’s third-grade class at Neabsco elementary school read a story about raccoons who are smarter than dogs and cats on Thursday afternoon.

The current curriculum focuses on animal behavior. A small group of students was asked to write paragraphs that describe the content.

The students worked on determining the main idea, the evidence, and the reasoning. Clicking a blue button in their tablet’s screen will give them feedback and tips after they have written a sentence.

Betancourt began using artificial intelligence to create lesson plans two years ago. She also wanted an analysis tool that would be more meaningful to her students.

Prince William County Public Schools then approved an Newsela tool. Betancourt says that the software is helping her non-native English speakers improve their writing abilities.

Betancourt noted that it is rare for a student to want to write. The instant feedback and engagement means that they no longer need to rely on me for guidance.

Betancourt says that after using the technology, she has seen a growth in her students, which can be discerned through data. The tool is also time-saving, as it allows her to assign articles quickly and make changes.

It can also convert articles to different reading levels.

Betancourt stated that “as a student… you are coming to the country, or learning the second-language. It’s gratifying feedback.” This encourages them to keep going. AI does not make fun of the user. AI doesn’t say, “Oh, you are doing it wrong. It is actually helping them.”

Betancourt says that because the technology can provide immediate feedback, she is able work independently with the students who require the most individual support.

She said that one of her students didn’t enjoy writing with a pen, but she was amazed at what the AI could do.

Matthew Calles said that the tech helped him to learn “if I had a correct sentence or if I had a right answer.”

Ahona Barua said that the AI tool does not judge how people type.

Ailee stated that the software was “just trying to assist us.”

Betancourt stated that “AI technology is constantly evolving but it will not replace me”. It can’t replace me. The need for human contact is still there. AI cannot provide them with that.”

Email the Prince William Board of Supervisors At:
Chair At-Large (Deshundra Jefferson) – djefferson@pwcgov.org,
Brentsville (Tom Gordy): tgordy@pwcgov.org,
Coles (Yesli Vega): yvega@pwcgov.org,
Occoquan (Kenny Boddye): kboddye@pwcgov.org,
Potomac (Andrea Bailey): abailey@pwcgov.org,
Woodbridge (Jeannie LaCroix): jlacroix@pwcgov.org,
General Board: bocs@pwcgov.org,

Email the Prince William School Board at:
Babur B. Lateef, M.D. (Chairman At-Large) — blateef@pwcs.edu,
Richard M. Jessie (Vice Chairman, Occoquan District) — rjessie@pwcs.edu,
Erica C. Tredinnick (Brentsville District) — etredinnick@pwcs.edu, 
Lisa A. Zargarpur (Coles District) — lzargarpur@pwcs.edu,
Jennifer T. Wall (Gainesville District) — jwall@pwcs.edu,
Tracy L. Blake (Neabsco District) — tblake@pwcs.edu,
Justin David Wilk (Potomac District) — jwilk@pwcs.edu,
Loree Y. Williams (Woodbridge District) — lwilliams@pwcs.edu,