Exploring AI in Education: Empowering Creative Writing at Bloomfield Hills High School

As artificial intelligence transforms industries worldwide, teaching Bloomfield Hills Schools students how to use AI responsibly is key to their future success. Rachel Matz, a grade 11 Language Arts teacher at Bloomfield Hills High School, is embracing this shift by introducing AI as a tool to enhance learning. From helping students select independent reading books to assisting with creative writing assignments, Matz is using AI to unlock new possibilities.

In a recent unit on fantasy and science fiction story writing, Matz partnered with Associate Principal Jessica Lupone, who as part of the Innovative Leaders Network, has embraced AI as a tool to help teachers and students. Together, they co-designed a lesson using Magic School AI, a platform enabling educators to create customized chatbots. For this unit, the chatbot helped students brainstorm story elements such as characters, settings, and conflicts, making the creative process more interactive and engaging.

Bloomfield Hills High School’s AI policy ensures students can only use AI when directed by teachers, and tools like Magic School AI are carefully vetted for data privacy and cybersecurity compliance. The BHS Instructional Technology team has been collaborating with staff and students to identify these tools while providing teachers with opportunities to engage with this emerging technology. Matz emphasized, “I’m trying to help them see how to use AI as a tool and how to best engage with the technology without letting it replace their own thinking or learning.” By guiding students to use AI within safe, structured environments, students are empowered to explore its potential while maintaining ethical boundaries. 

During the creative writing project, most students found Magic School AI instrumental in advancing their story ideas. Some adjusted prompts through trial and error to generate more useful results. Maksym Malinski (grade 11) reflected, “I thought of an idea at first and scrapped it. The AI helped me by suggesting new story elements, and I could pick and choose what to include. AI definitely helped my story.” 

Other students went into the project knowing their story’s elements, but used the AI tool to help design the movement of the story. Zechariah Johnson described his story about an angel safeguarding the flow of time, only to realize the angel’s own actions would lead to the timeline’s destruction. “I’m going to use AI to give me a better map of how the story is going to go, and how I will put the concept into action,” Johnson explained.

As BHS continues to integrate AI into classrooms, students gain valuable experience in leveraging technology to enhance creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking. With tools like Magic School AI, they are not just learning about AI - they are learning with it, preparing for a future where technology and imagination go hand in hand.