EDITED NEWSLETTER VOLUME 5 A.Y. 2024-2025 (3)

• EDITORIAL| VOLUME V
• Editor-in-Chief Margeaux Louise Chebat
• Associate Editor Lexine Laraño

News Editor Sophia Marie Lausingcoeiza Garcia Valerie Wayne Sales

Feature Editor Helena Carpio

Literature Editor Venice Aliya Ray D. Viesca

Social Media Department Head Jorenz Buendia Mikaela Ysobel Cabaero

Art Department Head Julia Allison Barretto

Art Department Supervisor Phay Paredes

Writers Jiyeon Huh || Hadiya Saleem || Hajung Lee || Liam Paulo O. Vidal || Mattea Barbara Moreno || Nigela Santina Mia || Tejan Kim V. Melendres || Jayna Brielle G. Pan

Graphic Designers Ipshita Mangal Aleksie Jan E. Ballano (AJ)

Photojournalists Ralph Rudy Yvan Galing || Enoch Bien Pastera || Denyse Treza J. Villamiel || Ryonie Yzabel V. Manalo || Iain Cedric B. Climacosa || Sebin Im || Rhona Abigail C. Benitez || Shia Aliyana F. Carreon || Aleksie Jan E. Ballano (AJ)

Artists Danielle Lois O. Buising || Lana Mengote || Lana Mengote || Ashley Faith J. Encarnado || Yzabel Dominique B. Papa || Yamina Abedin || Oh Yerin || Rianne Grace B. Beltran || Jilliana J. Valeroso || Kristelle Cruz || Sookyeong Gwark || Yeji Cha || Allysa Joy S. Sarmiento || Isabelle Andree T. Gutierrez || Jayna Brielle G. Pan || Shia Aliyana F. Carreon

Moderators Ms. Roselet Reynoso Ms. Precious Daluz

Smart Tools, Smarter Rules

Mikaela Ysobel Cabaero

Artificial intelligence is no longer something we only see in science fiction. Today, it is as easy to access as a search engine. With just a few clicks, students can ask AI to explain a difficult concept, summarize an article, or even draft an entire essay. For students at Southville International School and Colleges, this conversation is especially important. Our school even offers an AI-ICT subject, which means we are already learning about the technology that is shaping the future. But as AI becomes part of our everyday academic lives, one important question remains: how should students actually use it in their assignments?

Think of AI like a calculator. When calculators were first introduced in schools, many people worried that students would stop learning math altogether.

Instead, teachers created rules.

Calculators could help solve complex calculations, but students still had to understand the formulas and processes behind the answers. AI is similar. It can be a powerful tool, but it should support learning, not replace it.

Right now, the challenge is that AI tools are advancing faster than school policies. According to recent surveys, more than half of students worldwide have already used AI tools to help with schoolwork. Some use it responsibly, such as asking for explanations of difficult concepts or checking grammar in their essays. Others, however, use it to generate entire assignments. Without clear guidelines, it becomes difficult to know where helpful assistance ends and academic dishonesty begins.

Many students can relate to this situation. Imagine working on a history essay late at night. You understand the topic, but you struggle to organize your ideas. Asking AI for help with an outline might guide your thinking and help you structure your work better. In that case, the tool acts like a study partner. But if a student simply copies an entire AIgenerated essay and submits it, the learning process disappears. The assignment may be completed, but the student has not actually learned anything.

This is why clear guidelines matter. Students should know when AI is acceptable and when it crosses the line. For example, AI could be used to brainstorm ideas, explain difficult concepts, or review grammar. However, generating full essays or projects that are submitted as original work should not be acceptable. Transparency could also help. If AI tools are used for assistance, students should be encouraged to acknowledge it, just as they would cite any other source.

Teachers also face new challenges in this environment. Without shared policies, expectations can vary from one class to another. One teacher may allow AIassisted brainstorming, while another may consider any AI use unacceptable. Clear school-wide guidelines would help both students and teachers navigate these changes with confidence. As a school that prepares students for the global stage, Southville

International School and Colleges is already ahead of the curve by offering courses related to artificial intelligence.

Establishing thoughtful guidelines for AI use in assignments would be another step toward responsible innovation. Instead of fearing the technology, the school can show students how to use it ethically and intelligently.

AI will continue to grow, just like the internet did two decades ago.

The question is not whether students will use it, but how they will use it. With clear guidelines, AI can become what it should be in education: a helpful tool that strengthens learning rather than replacing it.

Editorial Cartoon by Shia Aliyana F. Carreon