Teaching families to use AI to support children’s learning – one math problem at a time

On a recent evening in the Bronx, an eighth grader demonstrated for a roomful of parents how to use ChatGPT to break down an Algebra problem. Parents then dove into their own hands-on learning, taking a picture of a problem with their phones, uploading it to ChatGPT, and getting step-by-step solutions in either English or Spanish.  

For many parents, most of whom said they have struggled to help their children with their math homework, this was the first time they were using Artificial Intelligence (AI)  to support their children’s learning. “I didn’t know AI could break this down so simply!” one parent said.

This workshop was the first in a series of Family AI Nights co-hosted by the Center for Educational Innovation and CPRL. Held at the Leaders of Tomorrow Middle School, the workshops are part of CPRL’s ongoing effort to strengthen tech-powered school-family partnerships in New York City Public Schools. CPRL is leading the second year of its Tech-Powered Family Partnership Accelerator, a network of school districts, school support organizations, and ed tech companies that are working together to devise and test ways to effectively engage families in their children’s learning to ensure all children have access to high quality learning experiences. 

One of the 11 entities participating in this year’s accelerator, CEI runs an innovation center in the Bronx that trains middle school students and their teachers in AI and digital literacy and works with families to increase familiarity with AI as a tool for learning and for supporting them in their personal and professional lives. 

Held on a night when families could pick up packages from the school’s food pantry, the event saw more than 60 local family members staying to explore different uses for AI. Their children led several interactive workshops: In “AI for Game Design,” students showed off video games they had coded themselves and invited parents to try them out. In “AI for Lease Review,” families used AI to understand all the ramifications of their lease that they might not have realized when they signed it. 

In a survey after the event, 65% of parents said they had never before used AI tools to help with their children’s studies. About 80% of parents said they struggled to support their children with school assignments due to limited resources or a lack of technical knowledge. Some parents also noted that language barriers created challenges in supporting their children’s learning. 

“This will definitely help me help my child with homework,” one parent said. 

Moving forward, CEI plans to respond to parents’ requests to better understand how teachers are using AI with their children in their classrooms. As a culminating project for the educator professional learning series on AI that CEI is leading, teachers and students will present to families in June what they have been doing with AI in the classrooms. CEI also plans to run career and technical education programs for high school students and young adults, including offering training and microcredentials in AI-related fields. 

CEI Executive Director of School Transformation Virginia Connelly offered this advice to organizations seeking to support families through technology: “Ask yourself, ‘How are you tying it to what the community needs? What do the other partners in your school community have to offer? And how can you keep measuring what parents need through feedback surveys and other means and what they are doing differently as a result of your programs?”

Sandy Chen is a CPRL student pursuing an M.A. in international and comparative education at Teachers College, Columbia University.