← Aaron Magnan, Ed.D.

Where our students stand on the AI ladder

Seven levels of AI use, and where each elementary grade band spends most of its time.

7 Creating with AI Making something new 6 Contributing with AI Making things other people use 5 Collaborating with AI Working with it on a task 4 Understanding AI Explaining how it works 3 Analyzing AI Is that true? Where did it guess? 2 Experimenting with AI Trying an approved tool with a teacher beside you 1 Knowing AI It's a machine, not a person. It can be wrong. TK–1 2–3 4–6
Each figure stands on the rung where that grade band does most of its work. The lighter rungs above are ones students use in short, teacher-led activities with approved tools, such as making an image in Canva. Adapted from The AI Engagement Ladder, Aaron Magnan, Ed.D.