Students in grades three through five at McNulty Academy are participating in a new instructional pilot program that introduces them to artificial intelligence as a learning tool.
The district is currently using Snorkl, a free pilot program introduced to classrooms by Mrs. Fureno, the district’s instructional technology coach. The platform encourages students to explain their thinking either verbally or in writing as they respond to academic questions.
After submitting their responses, students receive immediate AI-generated feedback. Work is scored on a scale of one to four, with feedback highlighting two strengths and one area for improvement. Students are then given the opportunity to revise and resubmit their responses, allowing them to reflect on their thinking and make adjustments in real time.
Teachers report that students are becoming more intentional with their explanations and vocabulary as they work to improve their scores. In addition to supporting student growth, the program provides educators with useful data to help identify students who may need additional instructional support.
The pilot program is another example of how the Greater Amsterdam School District is integrating technology into the classroom to support student learning and engagement.