Artificial Intelligence @DCS: DeeDee Today

How DCS is providing safe instructional artificial intelligence in the classroom

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The DCS AI Group helps students learn the skills they will need in a world where AI is common. Students in grades 5–12 can use  DeeDee, and families can choose to opt out under COPPA. Anyone with an @dexterschools.org email, whether student or staff, can access both student and teacher models.

As DeeDee improves, the AI Group uses open-source, local tools to test it. Promptfoo checks new models for safety before they are released. Arize Phoenix tracks anonymous usage to help improve performance. No DeeDee data is shared outside these systems.

Using AI Responsibly

Learning to use AI is an important skill. Staff teach students how to use these tools responsibly. Key points include:

• Effort matters: Ask clear questions and think carefully about your prompts.
• Check information: AI can be wrong. Always verify facts yourself.
• Be honest: If AI helps with a project, explain how it was used and what prompts were given. Not sharing AI use may be considered dishonest.
• Start and end with humans: Work should always begin and end with the student.
• Use AI wisely: AI is helpful, but it is not always the right tool. Decide if it fits the task.

DCS focuses on talking about AI, being open, and thinking carefully. This helps students make good decisions and use AI confidently. Teachers may also use the AI Usage Scale, created by Dr. Liam Fergus, PhD, to guide students in responsible use.

Rather than enforcing restrictions on AI, DCS emphasizes discussion, transparency, and reflection. This helps students develop judgment and confidence in using AI responsibly—skills that will serve them beyond high school. The following AI Usage Scale, developed by Dr. Liam Fergus, PhD, is an internationally recognized tool teachers can share with students to guide appropriate use.

AI Disclosure

In schools today, it is common to show when AI or other tools helped in your work. Dexter uses three levels of AI disclosure: Beginning, Developing, and Advanced. These levels help students explain how they used AI and are not tied to a specific grade.

Dexter also uses Copyleaks, a tool trusted by schools like the University of Michigan. It gives feedback to students and teachers about AI use and plagiarism. As AI-generated work becomes more common, Copyleaks helps everyone see if AI use meets assignment expectations.

DeeDee in the Classroom

Students are using DeeDee in many ways to learn and practice real-world skills. Examples include:

• Mock interviews for middle school
• AP US History test prep
• ELA essay feedback
• Improv skill development
• 7th grade project: Dexter Community Concerns

Teachers also use DeeDee to improve lessons. For example, in a project about constellations, students used DeeDee with class readings. This kept discussions focused on class material rather than general internet content.

Looking Ahead

DCS is committed to using AI safely, responsibly, and creatively. Clear rules and guidance help students use AI confidently and prepare for life after high school.

The AI Group continues to improve DeeDee with input from teachers and students. They work with partners like Michigan Virtual University and the Future of Learning Council. Teachers help decide how and when to use DeeDee and how students should report their AI use. DCS aims to create a safe and supportive environment while building AI skills.

When used carefully and ethically, AI can make learning more personalized, inclusive, and engaging. Human judgment, creativity, and connection remain at the heart of Dexter’s mission to Champion Learning: Develop, Educate, Inspire!

• Link to printable article