The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) is indisputable. It’s reshaping the daily lives of people, including children, at a rapid pace. While AI holds promise in offering quick assistance for everyday life, there’s much more to understand. As a parent, knowing the complexities of AI tools is crucial to your child’s education.

With tools like ChatGPT becoming more popular among children, controlling the use of AI for academic purposes is vital to ensure responsible use, while preventing them from cheating and derailing the learning process.

What Is AI?

AI refers to a computer’s ability to process requests and generate responses. It’s modeled after the human brain — it gathers information, sorts details and makes them immediately available to the user. The goal is to recognize patterns based on large amounts of data and make decisions like humans. However, it can’t relate to people’s life experiences.

This technology has been present since the mid-1950s. Today, AI-powered tools are quickly becoming a part of everyday life. Companies use AI in many different ways, from Spotify using AI to recommend music based on your listening habits, to customer service chatbots generating a response based on a database of information.

How Do Children and Teens Use AI?

AI can be more than a helping tool for children and teenagers, allowing them instant access to loads of information.  However, problems arise when AI is used by students to take shortcuts, resulting in a deficiency in their education.  Simply put, the process of learning includes doing assignments and creatively thinking for themselves.

Here are some common ways teens are using this technology:

Improve Writing

AI-powered technologies like Trinka and Grammarly can help detect spelling and grammar errors and make suggestions on improving writing. Many students use these tools when crafting essays and other school assignments.

In worse cases, some children might use platforms like ChatGPT to write essays for them. This is cheating.

Perform Research

According to the Pew Research Center, about one in five teenagers familiar with ChatGPT have used it for schoolwork. It can be misused by students who don’t want to do their work, but it can also be used as an aid in research.

Students can use AI like a search engine to gather research or summarize information into simpler terms. While this can help save time, it is not always reliable. It’s important to double check any information the program gives you to make sure it’s accurate.

Acquire and Enhance New Knowledge

AI tools can provide access to training and education from all over the world, supporting your child’s self-directed learning. It allows schools to create personalized educational programs for students based on learning history or weaknesses.

AI-powered apps can even help them learn a new language. Duolingo provides a gamified way for kids to acquire one of the 40 languages available.

This technology can also improve your child’s knowledge about a specific topic. Gizmo is a tool that allows kids to recall everything they learn in an interactive and fun manner — just paste the study notes the app will use to create a quiz.

Can Parents Trust AI?

Reliance on AI technologies can yield positive and negative outcomes. Its increasing usefulness can increase your teen’s productivity and inform their decision-making. These tools can help motivate kids to learn more, as it offers new ways to explore the world around them.

However, the proliferation of AI emphasizes privacy and safety issues. AI-powered platforms often collect personal data without people knowing it and follow your teen’s every move online, making them a target of relentless advertising campaigns. Like any technology, AI tools can also be used maliciously.

To trust a technology that’s slowly dominating the world, you need ways to ensure your child remains safe from the possible pitfalls of AI usage.

Strategies for Safe and Responsible Use of AI

AI has already infiltrated society and the online world. You may not realize it, but your children have likely already used AI tools or encountered AI-generated content online. Now is the time to sit down with your kids to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of this technology.

1.    Teach How to Manage Online Privacy

Clearing browser history and managing cookies can help block websites from accessing online activity. Teach younger kids to avoid sharing personal details like full name, phone number, address and financial information without your knowledge.

2.    Explain Plagiarism

Help older kids understand the value of original work. AI tools like ChatGPT can easily prompt students to copy and paste AI-generated output on their homework to finish work faster. Explain how copying the ideas of others, including AI, without giving proper credit is wrong and might be illegal.

3.    Think Critically

The speed of AI tools might be incredible, but like people, they can make mistakes. Remind your child to double-check factual information and consider acquiring different perspectives from other sources before reaching conclusions.

4.    Expand Their Horizons

Encourage your child to use other resources to avoid overdependence on AI tools. Explain the value of research, journals, books and professional insights. Introduce educational AI tools that complement their learning, and consider blocking access to some platforms.

5.    Discuss The Dangers

AI tools will continue to be used in irresponsible ways. The results can include fake new articles, deep fake images of real people, edited text, videos or photos and more. Do some research on how to spot AI-generated content online, and show your children examples. Tell them to report any cases of bullying they see using AI, such as fake photos used to mock or harass them or their classmates.

Navigate the AI World Responsibly

Modern technologies like AI are opening up learning and development opportunities for students. However, it’s not without its downsides. Following these strategies can help ensure your child’s safety while interacting with AI.

Author bio:  Cora Gold is the Editor-in-Chief of women’s lifestyle magazine, Revivalist. She strives to live a happy and healthy life with her family by her side.

Watch How to Properly use AI in Education

One emergency vehicle stands out to many, symbolizing the rapid response to a crisis and captivating our imaginations from a young age: the fire truck. But did you know that beyond their shiny exteriors lie some fascinating secrets? Let’s dive into the world of safety and explore five fun facts about fire trucks.

1. The Origins of the ‘Big Red’

The first fire engines date back to Roman times when they were horse-drawn water pumps. The iconic red color scheme has a historical significance, originating from 19th-century Britain. After legislatures developed the most recent fire truck design standards in 1905, the use of red became official because it was a visible color that people could associate with fire even from a distance. With technological advancements, today’s pumpers and tankers make life easier for rescue workers dealing with blazes.

2. Honk if You Love Air Horns!

The siren is one of the most exciting features of a fire truck, which is enough to startle even the most composed passerby. Modern fire trucks come equipped with a variety of options, including air horns, electronic sirens, and mechanical wailers. These sirens are exceptionally loud, with some capable of reaching a staggering 100 decibels.

3. Spreading Wings and Ladders to the Sky

Fire trucks also have excellent vertical reach. The aerial ladder, a crucial part of a fire truck’s arsenal, can extend up to 150 feet—the length of a 15-story building—making it possible to position a firefighter within a few feet of a window for a rescue. Most can telescope, pivot, and even support the weight of multiple people at perilous heights.

4. Dalmatians and Firehouses: An Enduring Partnership

It would be remiss to talk about fire trucks without mentioning Dalmatians, the quintessential firehouse dogs. The tradition of Dalmatians in fire stations goes back to the days of horse-drawn fire carriages. Dalmatians were particularly fond of horses and adept at clearing the way for rescue workers, making their presence in the firehouse not just ceremonial, but practical.

5. Fire Trucks in Popular Culture

Popular culture has long romanticized the image of a fire truck. Kids learn about fire trucks from a young age, whether it’s through toys and games or consumable media.

Toys and Games

Toy manufacturers have long recognized the fascination that fire trucks hold, crafting detailed miniature replicas that come complete with extendable ladders, working water hoses, and even sound effects mimicking the distinct siren cries.

Films and TV

Classic films like “The Red Tails of Courage” and the legendary TV show “Emergency!” have immortalized the image of fire trucks dashing through city streets with sirens blaring.

Inspiring Childhood Dreams for Generations

Fire trucks hold a special place in the hearts of many, not just for their role as lifesavers but also for the childhood dreams they inspire. They’re also an excellent way to educate kids about fire safety!

So, the next time you go chasing the big red, remember these five fun facts about fire trucks. Perhaps, just for a moment, you’ll feel that same childlike wonder you did the first time one passed you by.

In the US, many university students in their final year plan to travel abroad and teach English as a foreign language once they have graduated. Teaching English abroad can be a meaningful and fulfilling way to invest your gap year that can better prepare you for diverse and ever-changing professional environments.

One way of approaching the experience of teaching abroad is through government-led programs designed especially for international teachers of English.

In this article, you will discover what TAPIF program is. But first, let’s take a look at what benefits teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) can bring to you on a personal and professional level.

Advantages of Teaching English Abroad

It’s a well-known fact that traveling broadens your horizons, and teaching English abroad no doubt does the trick. It provides an immersive experience in a different culture, and you’ll have the opportunity to interact with locals, learn a new language, and engage in cultural exchange. This allows you to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of diverse perspectives, traditions, and lifestyles.

Another advantage of teaching abroad is that it challenges you to step out of your comfort zone, adapt to new environments, and navigate unfamiliar situations independently. When you find yourself in a foreign country where you can hardly speak the language and don’t know anyone, that’s when your survival instinct kicks in and you make a virtue of necessity. You develop resilience, self-confidence, and a sense of resourcefulness as you overcome cultural and language barriers, and other challenges. Ultimately, you’ll discover your hidden strengths.

On a professional level, teaching abroad offers valuable opportunities for skill development. Working as a teacher, you will gain and develop a range of transferable skills that will make you stand out from any other candidate in an increasingly globalized job market. Skills such as communication, adaptability, problem-solving, and leadership are highly sought after by employers in every sector.

Making Learning More Engaging

Whether you are planning on making teaching your future career or not, there might be times when you need to teach something or help others learn. Whichever learning environment you find yourself in, some strategies can help you make teaching and learning more enjoyable and effective for yourself and everyone involved.

Flipped Classroom Model

One innovative approach gaining traction in education circles is the flipped classroom model. In this setup, traditional teaching methods are reversed. Instead of spending class time listening to lectures, students engage with course materials beforehand through videos, readings, or interactive modules. Class time is then dedicated to discussions, problem-solving, and hands-on activities facilitated by the instructor.

Project-Based Learning

Another effective way to make teaching more engaging for adult students is through project-based learning (PBL). Instead of focusing solely on exams and quizzes, PBL immerses learners in real-world scenarios where they apply theoretical knowledge to solve practical problems. PBL is ideal for professional training situations because it motivates trainees to develop a sense of ownership and autonomy while collaborating as part of a team.

Gamification

Who says learning can’t be fun? Gamification involves incorporating elements of game design, such as challenges, rewards, and competition, into educational activities. By “gamifying” the learning process, instructors can capture learners’ attention, increase motivation, and promote active participation. Whether it’s a trivia quiz, a role-playing simulation, or an educational game app, gamification makes learning more enjoyable and memorable for students of all ages.

Experiential Learning Opportunities

Finally, to truly engage learners, it’s essential to provide experiential learning opportunities that bridge the gap between theory and practice. Whether it’s internships, practicums, research projects, or service-learning initiatives, these hands-on experiences allow students to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, gain valuable skills, and build professional networks.

The TAPIF Program in France

If you think that spending a year abroad teaching English is just what you need after graduation, the TAPIF program in France might be a straightforward way into your new adventure.

The TAPIF Program isn’t your typical teaching position; it serves as a gateway to fully immerse yourself in French culture. It is the American component of the broader Programme des Assistants de Langue en France overseen by FEI. Graduates of TAPIF often embark on diverse global career paths and may even access scholarships for further studies at the MA and PhD levels.

Who Is TAPIF for

This program is ideally suited for US citizens who are independent and highly motivated – individuals passionate about teaching and comfortable with young learners. While participants receive a modest monthly stipend of under 790 € for a 12-hour teaching week, they should note that travel costs and accommodation are not covered. This aspect provides ample downtime for exploration, but financial planning is essential.

As language assistants, successful candidates will engage in firsthand teaching experiences across primary and high schools in various regions of France, including its overseas territories like French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, and Réunion.

Let’s look at the requirements needed to apply for the TAPIF program in detail:

• Citizenship: Must be either a US citizen or a permanent resident. Green Card holders from specific countries, like Canada, may also be considered. French or French-American nationals are ineligible.

• Language: English must be the applicant’s first language, and proficiency in French at a B1 level is required.

• Age: Applicants must be between 20 and 35 years old at the start of the program.

• Education: Completion of at least three years of post-secondary studies by the program’s start date is necessary.

Applicants meeting the requirements must submit a personal statement in French and a letter of recommendation attesting to their French proficiency, attitude, and work ethic. Ideally, the recommendation should come from a French language professor or be supported by scores from standardized French language tests (TCF, TEF, DELF/DALF) through the Alliance Française.

While prior teaching experience isn’t obligatory, it’s advantageous. However, a genuine interest in education and international culture, along with suitable skills for a classroom setting, is crucial. Applications are open from mid-October to mid-January, with outcomes communicated in April.

Teaching English in France? Oh la la!

It is estimated that between 40,000 and 60,000 university graduates take a gap year every academic year; it’s like a break from reality after leaving the world of education and before entering that of employment. But why not constructively use that time? Teaching English abroad can be a fulfilling experience that helps you develop your professional skills and grow on a personal level. TAPIF can simplify the process and give you the security of a program you can trust.

When considering bilingualism, we typically focus on its benefits and seldom take into account the challenges associated with it. The learning process of becoming a bilingual child, and the lived experience that goes with it, are fascinating topics. It deserves more exploration and research.

I sat down with Erin Quirk, FRQSC Postdoctoral fellow at Concordia University, to talk about these experiences.  Here’s what I learned.

Learning Two Languages at the Same Time 

It turns out that learning a second language can be similar to learning a first language, if one starts learning at a very young age.

“Before the age of three, there seems to be no difference between acquiring a first and second language,” says Dr. Quirk.

According to Dr. Quirk, research indicates that children who start learning a language before about three years of age follow a similar developmental trajectory as children learning a language from birth. This is called simultaneous bilingualism.

“There’s some evidence that beyond that age there do appear to be differences in terms of outcomes, but before that age, it doesn’t seem to be different. So, it would be similar for somebody who started hearing another language at daycare when they were three months old and someone who was hearing both languages at home from the beginning.” 

Of course, this doesn’t mean that children who learn two languages simultaneously are equally fluent in both languages.

“Something to keep in mind here is that very rarely do bilinguals acquire two languages with perfectly balanced exposure to those languages,” says Dr. Quirk.

Do Babies Mix Up Languages? 

In families raising bilingual children, parents may choose to use more than one language with their children. There are different ways of using two languages in one conversation with a child. For example, parents might repeat what they just said in the other language (immediate translation), or they may use two languages at different points in the conversation with the child (one language at a time). A recent 2023 study on three-to-five-year-old bilinguals showed that both strategies offer opportunities for bilingual children to develop their vocabulary.

Some parents are worried that teaching a second language to a child is confusing. Many people believe that babies can’t tell the difference between two languages when they hear them, but actually, they can from a very early age. In fact, researchers have found that even newborns can distinguish the language or languages spoken by their mother from other languages. This finding also shows that bilingual children start the process of language acquisition long before most parents realize it, in utero.

“In terms of the strategies that bilinguals use to learn words, they might do things slightly differently. For example, they are used to hearing two labels for one object because they have two languages being spoken around them” says Dr. Quirk.

Monolinguals can use what’s called mutual exclusivity. Take a bilingual child who speaks Spanish and English. If you compare the number of words they know to a monolingual child their age who speaks only Spanish or only English, they’ll know fewer words in each individual language. But if you take the number of concepts that the bilingual child knows across both languages and compare them to their monolingual peers, they’re the same.

In explaining mutual exclusivity, Dr. Quirk said,

“I don’t know the word for this thing, and you’ve just said a new word I’ve never heard before. I’m going to assume it’s that thing that I don’t have a word for in front of me. There’s some evidence that bilinguals will do this slightly differently. They use mutual exclusivity slightly less.” 

Parents naturally help their children learn words in two languages by translating new words for them. The results of a 2022 study suggest that “bilingual parents code-switch in ways that support successful bilingual language acquisition.”

Can Children Learn a Second Language Through Media? 

Our increased exposure to media (the relatively recent concept of binge-watching is an example) seems like it makes bilingualism a much easier trait to gain today, especially if a child is learning English. There’s a ton of high-quality media in the English language and many children are exposed to it through song lyrics, streaming services, and other forms of media.

“I would be skeptical of anyone saying that they learned a language purely from media exposure because there is pretty good evidence that you need to engage and be interactive in a language in order to acquire it,” says Dr. Quirk. “For children, and I think even in adults, there’s good evidence that you need to use the language and have kind of an interactional motivation to use it and not just passive exposure to it.” 

A study by Tamara Sorenson Duncan and Johanne Paradis published in 2019 suggests that viewing television does not boost language learning and may even have a detrimental effect on learning a second language when studying bilingual 5-year-old children.

Language-learning apps are a popular tool for learning a second language nowadays.

“I think for children there probably are apps that are engaging, but they are not a replacement for actual interaction with people,” says Dr. Quirk. “The most important thing is interaction with people. This means more time talking to, ideally, native speakers, not just one, but maybe multiple. I think apps are not as important as interaction with people.” 

The bottom line is that though technology can be used to enhance bilingualism in children, it can’t substitute human interaction.

The Earlier the Better

If you want your child to know more than one language, the rule of thumb is: the earlier, the better. That said, it’s certainly possible to learn a new language at any age. When learning at a young age, developmental milestones are usually similar between bilinguals and monolinguals.

“Keep in mind that exposure has an impact. So, if a child is learning a language that they hear very rarely, it’s totally natural for them to develop this language slightly slower.”

She went on to say that languages that children hear more frequently may develop similarly to monolinguals’ development of their first language.

Conclusion

Learning a second language can be an amazing skill and open up a person’s perspective to a whole new worldview. Not to mention, the cognitive skills that are boosted by learning a second language. But no matter how desirable this is, much of early bilingualism isn’t controlled by parents.

What parents can do is provide their children with as many opportunities to hear and speak in the languages they are learning. Under the right conditions, the human brain has an amazing capacity for learning multiple languages at a young age. What parents need to do is trust the process.

Related Reading

Read Learn about the future career benefits of being a multilingual.