There is absolutely no doubt that conversations about education have been dominated by the topic of artificial intelligence. In every meeting, at every conference, and on every forum that I have been a part of lately, educators are constantly wondering not only how artificial intelligence (AI) will impact the future of our roles, but also how it is changing how students interact with technology.
The persistent talk track in education right now is that if we introduce AI, suddenly educators lose control and students become dependent on not just machines, but AI, for answers. As an educator myself, I believe that is not the future that we want to build with our students. Instead, we want to build a world where AI does not replace the human parts of thinking and learning–rather, it amplifies them. The narrative that AI will replace teachers or turn students into passive recipients is compelling only if we imagine AI as an answer‑machine, which is also not the future that we want being built.
The most promising direction in educational technology is AI that amplifies human roles rather than erasing them. This comes from leaning into and utilizing tools that give teachers more control, not less, and helps students become more capable thinkers. Thoughtfully designed tools like Goodnotes Education show how AI can strengthen teacher agency and increase student independence. Its AI features are intentionally designed to support independent student work, teacher‑guided learning, and reflective practice, all while keeping educators firmly in the driver’s seat.
How Goodnotes Helps
If you’re not familiar with Goodnotes Education, Goodnotes Education recognizes that there is a gap between what teachers want to do versus what teachers are capable of doing given time constraints, making student learning and work visible, and lesson differentiation. They help to bridge that gap for educators: helping make learning visible, reducing time spent on administrative tasks, providing personalized support, and–most importantly–providing a space for educators to leverage AI safely and meaningfully. What I also appreciate about Goodnotes is that their team is made up of former teachers, school leadership, and designated safety leads, and that all of the features are linked back to pedagogical research.
As a data privacy nerd, I’d also be remiss if I didn’t speak about the importance of making sure that our information is being protected while we are using these different types of tools and technologies. I’m very passionate about making sure that faculty, staff, and student information stays safe and secure. Goodnotes also holds the most recognized international security standards, SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001, and is aligned with FERPA, COPPA, GDPR and the NIST Cybersecurity Framework (which will be great information to bring back to your IT department).
When we’re using AI in our classrooms, the fear of losing control often stems from imagining AI that makes decisions for teachers. But the emerging model is AI that provides insight, scaffolding, and optional support—always under teacher direction.
In Goodnotes Education, teachers can:
- Use proprietary AI handwriting recognition. Educators can locate personal notes, and search and sort student work, all on-device with Core ML.
- Review student work with AI‑generated insights that surface misconceptions or patterns. Educators and school leadership can track student and teacher usage,and use the insights to both support and celebrate teachers.
- Give students personalized, 24/7 support. Lean into giving students 24/7 personalized support, by generating and pre-approving AI hints that they can reveal one at a time when they’re stuck.
- Receive extended training support. Goodnotes has Sample Lesson opportunities that walk educators through how to use the platform, and you can also book school-wide trainings with one of their certified trainers.
This is not automation replacing judgment–it is platform augmentation that is enhancing thinking! AI giving teachers more visibility into student thinking, more time to focus on nuanced needs, and more flexibility to personalize instruction is the direction that we need to be into as we look at what we want to do with our students over the course of the school year. When educators get to choose how AI is used, they maintain full pedagogical authority and AI becomes a tool for teacher agency rather than a threat to it.
As AI becomes a standard part of the modern workplace, our students need to learn how to collaborate with it instead of relying on it blindly. Goodnotes Education models this by giving students opportunities to compare their own reasoning with AI suggestions, challenge AI outputs when something seems off, integrate human judgment with machine‑generated insights, and make final decisions themselves.
This not only builds intellectual autonomy, but students learn to treat AI as a resource, not an authority. They practice discernment, verification, and critical thinking—which are all skills essential for navigating an AI‑rich world.
In short, AI in education doesn’t diminish human roles, it reshapes them. Teachers gain more strategic control over instruction. Students gain more opportunities to think deeply, practice judgment, and build independence. And platforms like Goodnotes Education show how intentional design can make AI a partner in learning rather than a replacement for it.
The future of education isn’t AI‑driven. It’s teacher‑led, student‑centered, and AI‑supported.
If you’re interested in getting started with Goodnotes, check them out here. For any questions, reach out to them at education@goodnotes.com.
