TDNet Discover

The purpose of this action research study is to examine what a classroom-based AI pilot reveals about responsible AI use in schools for students and educators in a public high school pilot setting within a South Carolina school system. In this study, AI integration means the intentional use of AI tools and instructional routines in ways that support teaching and learning while protecting student data, academic integrity, and professional judgment. The study is guided by the Technology Acceptance Model and Diffusion of Innovations to explain how usefulness, ease of use, trust, and organizational support shape adoption over time. The primary research question asks what barriers and enabling conditions most influence educator acceptance and continued use of AI tools, and what district and school level strategies best address those conditions in a pilot informed scaling model. Data will be collected through student feedback, staff input through interviews and a short survey, and document review of guidance and training materials connected to the pilot, with observations included when feasible. Data will be analyzed through coding and thematic analysis across sources, supported by triangulation, analytic memos, and member checking to keep findings grounded and credible. This study will be used to develop a practical, scalable district blueprint that supports responsible AI use while maintaining instructional integrity and trust.