When AI enters the classroom

TP - In the era of booming artificial intelligence (AI), many students, even those with weak academic abilities, can smoothly complete difficult math problems with just a few clicks of AI. This reality poses a major challenge for teachers…

One morning in late December, a group of over 20 teachers from Cao Bang province attended AI-based lessons at Cau Giay Secondary School ( Hanoi ) to learn from their experience.

An AI application lesson at Cau Giay Secondary School (Hanoi)

In class 6A4, teachers from Cao Bang observed an English lesson taught by Ms. Tran Kieu Anh. The lesson was expanded upon by the teacher and students to connect with the global context, helping students explore a topic in a lively and modern way. Beyond language learning, the students also shared stories about their culture in English and confidently expressed themselves through technology.

The students started the lesson with music , exploring New Year's customs of various countries through cheerful and catchy melodies. Throughout the lesson, students used phones and iPads to design posters with ChatGPT, research a country, and present their colorful creations. The student groups were then guided to use the Gen AI application to create videos introducing New Year's customs and sending meaningful wishes.

A teacher and students at a school in Hanoi participate in an AI application lesson on the school grounds.

The English lesson left a lasting impression on each student, not only with new vocabulary but also demonstrating that AI is no longer something distant. Under the guidance of their teacher, students dared to experiment and create unique and innovative products with enthusiasm, deviating from the traditional teacher-to-student-to-copy method.

“Students can go home and ask questions, search for information using applications to gain a deeper and more thorough understanding of the issues. But it also raises a warning that the mindless use of AI by students can be very harmful,” said Mr. Le Quang Nhan, Head of the Mathematics and Informatics Department, Nguyen Du High School for the Gifted.

Ms. Tran Kim Phuong, the AI ​​and Robotics teacher at Cau Giay Secondary School, said that in addition to integrating AI into various subjects, the school also has a STEM AI club as an elective. The club brings together students with a passion for creative science and technology, with teachers acting as "guides." Through this, students are guided in using AI, GPT Chat, and other applications to support their learning and robot creation. Students are encouraged to use the STEM lab and learn practical knowledge with the support of AI, leading to enthusiastic and creative learning.

Ms. Phuong recounted that in May 2025, the school received a visit from General Secretary To Lam, who donated a STEM room. That same summer, a group of teachers was sent to training to operate the STEM room and apply AI in teaching. “Today’s students are quick learners and adapt to technology very quickly. If teachers aren’t proactive, don’t have a solid understanding, and aren’t skilled enough, it will be difficult to guide and support them. That’s why teachers are also making great efforts to access technology and apply it in practice,” Ms. Phuong said.

AI as a companion

Ms. Phuong also shared that, with the robotics and AI club model, within just a few months of operating the STEM room, teachers and students have reaped "sweet rewards" with many creative robot products participating in and reaching the National Finals of VEX Robotics 2026. "However, there is a situation where students are passive, uncreative, and rely on AI to assist them in completing learning tasks at home. Some students forget the assignments given by their teachers, hastily use AI at the last minute, and submit a complete product, only to have it discovered and returned by the teachers," Ms. Phuong said.

Throughout the teaching process, teachers always guide students to use AI to assist in information searching, but emphasize that the knowledge gained and the final product must be based on the students' own intelligence. Students who simply copy researched information into their assignments or who have a "just get it over with" mentality will be asked to redo their work. "Even when applying technology, teaching always aims to ensure genuine quality so that students can accumulate knowledge," Ms. Phuong reflected.

At the high school level, Mr. Le Quang Nhan, Head of the Math and Informatics Department at Nguyen Du Specialized High School (Dak Lak), shared a story about a teacher's trust in students using AI. “Some students might not be proficient in class, but they can solve even the most difficult homework assignments. In such cases, the teacher is forced to suspect they might be using AI by asking them to come to the board and redo the problem. Of course, the students have to admit they are using technology because they couldn't solve the assignment in class,” Mr. Nhan recounted.

According to Mr. Nhan, classrooms today are very different from those of the past. Teachers guide students in accessing applications and formulating commands. Previously, students learned from teachers and peers, but today they have AI as a second teacher, supporting learning anytime, anywhere.

Teacher Nhan said that in the digital age, education is also changing rapidly. The application of AI in teaching makes things much easier for both teachers and students, including asking for ideas and guiding them on how to carry out projects. AI has become a true teacher for both teachers and learners. AI is also gradually replacing some of the roles of real-life teachers, requiring teachers to make more effort and continuously learn to master the technology to teach students.

"However, AI still cannot replace the role of the teacher because teaching is a special profession, where the teacher guides students with intellect and emotion and monitors their journey of growth, something that AI cannot do," Mr. Nhan said.

Ms. Dao Thi Cuc, Deputy Principal of Dong Da Secondary School (Hanoi), believes that students tend to use AI to find answers quickly, even copying results without truly understanding the essence of the problem. This is a difficult issue for teachers, because if not properly guided, the use of AI can reduce students' independent thinking, analytical, and creative abilities.

In light of this, the school requires teachers to proactively define their roles in guiding and directing students to use AI appropriately, safely, and purposefully, helping them understand that AI is only a learning support tool, not a replacement for their work or thinking abilities.

Source: https://tienphong.vn/khi-ai-vao-lop-hoc-post1809163.tpo