Bridging the Gap: What Parents and Teachers Need to Understand About AI
AI is no longer something “out there”, it’s in students’ hands, homes and homework. The real question is whether adults are ready to help them use it well.
This post is part of a series exploring how schools can integrate AI meaningfully, ethically and strategically. Written in response to the UAE’s national AI in education mandate, it offers insights and strategies for educators across all curricula and contexts, from Dubai to Dublin, Delhi to Durban and everywhere in between.
Subscribers will also receive exclusive access to linked CPD tools, classroom frameworks and planning resources, just like in the John Hattie series.
Why this conversation matters now
AI is already part of student life, from ChatGPT in homework to TikTok filters powered by machine learning. What students do with these tools is shaped by how the adults around them respond. But too often, parents and teachers hesitate because they feel unsure themselves.
To support students, we must first support the adults in their lives. This post explores what teachers and parents most need to understand about AI, and how schools can help bridge that gap.
What parents often ask
Parents are curious, concerned and sometimes caught off guard. These are common questions schools are hearing:
• Will AI harm my child’s learning or creativity?
• How do I know if my child is using it to cheat?
• Should I encourage them to use AI tools or block them?
• If I don’t understand it, how can I set boundaries?
These are valid concerns, not because AI is inherently harmful, but because it is unfamiliar. What families need is not fear, but frameworks for open dialogue.
What teachers need from parents
Teachers are guiding ethical AI use and supporting student learning. But when home and school expectations differ, confusion follows. These four things can help:
• Reinforcing that AI is a support, not a shortcut
• Agreeing on when and how tools can be used
• Encouraging open conversations about digital responsibility
• Trusting teacher judgement and classroom norms
Consistency builds confidence. When students hear the same message at home and in school, they are far more likely to engage thoughtfully and safely.
How schools can bring parents in
To close the gap, schools need to create space for shared understanding. Here are four practical ways to begin:
1. Host a parent information evening - Keep it informal and focused on learning. Demonstrate how AI tools work, explain how they are used in class, and invite questions in a judgment-free space.
2. Create an AI home guide - Offer a simple one-page overview of common tools, responsible use and conversation starters for families. Add examples relevant to your school’s subjects and context.
3. Use real classroom examples - Show how students are using AI for tasks like summarising research, analysing tone or creating outlines. This helps families see the benefit and structure in school use.
4. Invite student voice - Let students explain how they use AI, what they find helpful and where they feel unsure. It builds trust and shows families that student perspective is valued.
What schools are already doing
One primary school co-created an AI Family Charter with students and parents. It included statements like:
We will not submit AI-generated work as our own
We will ask for help when we feel unsure
We will talk openly about what we use and why
Another school added an “AI in Learning” comment to its student report cards, giving families insight into how learners were engaging with AI tools during the term.
These small actions send a powerful message: this is a shared journey, not a policy handed down. Schools and families are learning together.
Useful Links
OECD – Artificial Intelligence and Education & Skills - A global overview of AI’s role in transforming education systems, building teacher capacity and preparing students for a digital future. Read the full article
Common Sense Media – The Ultimate Guide to AI for Parents - A practical, jargon-free guide to help parents understand, monitor and support children’s AI use at home. Read the guide
Reflective questions for your setting
• What messages are families currently receiving about AI at your school?
• Are there mixed messages between classroom use and home perceptions?
• Could students help lead these conversations in meaningful ways?
If you found this post useful, consider sharing it with your parent community or including it in your next school newsletter. Let’s make the conversation about AI a shared one.
AI in Education Blog Series – Full List
This 4-week series explores how schools can embed AI meaningfully, ethically and strategically across curriculum, CPD, leadership and inclusion. New posts are published four times a week throughout June and July 2025.
Week 1: Orientation – Understanding the Shift
1. Why AI in Schools Is a Pedagogical Shift, Not a Tech Trend
2. How to Talk to Students About AI (Even When You’re Not an Expert)
3. Bridging the Gap: What Parents and Teachers Need to Understand About AI (You are here)
4. How Ready Is Your School for AI? A Leadership Reflection
Week 2: Teaching, Equity and Ethics
5. Planning with AI Without Losing Professional Judgement
6. Can We Really Teach Ethics in AI? Yes – Here’s How
7. What Inclusive AI Use Looks Like in EAL and SEND Contexts
8. Keeping Students Safe: The New Rules of AI and Safeguarding
Week 3: Teaching Across Subjects
9. Reimagining Reading and Writing: AI in English and Arabic
10. AI in Math and Science: From Calculation to Simulation
11. What Happens to Critical Thinking When AI Can Summarise?
12. Creativity and Authenticity in the Age of AI
Week 4: Strategy, Assessment and Future Readiness
13. What Every School Needs Before Saying “We Use AI”
14. Why CPD on AI Should Start with Questions, Not Tools
15. What Does “AI Literacy” Really Mean, and How Do We Know Students Are Gaining It?
16. From Pilot to Policy: Embedding AI in the School Development Plan