My solution is called Think First, AI Second. The purpose is to teach students how to use AI without letting AI replace their learning.
Students should first show their own thinking. That could be a brainstorm, outline, paragraph, drawing, explanation, or reflection. After that, they can use AI for a clear support purpose, such as feedback, revision, vocabulary help, reading support, translation, or practice.
The student must still verify the AI response, make final decisions, and explain what they learned. This keeps the student in control of the learning process.
I think first.
I show my first attempt.
I use AI for a specific support purpose.
I verify the AI response.
I revise with ownership.
I reflect on what I learned.
AI helps a student think deeper.
The student still does the thinking. AI offers feedback, alternatives, clarification, or practice — and the student decides what to keep.
AI does the thinking for the student.
The student submits AI's ideas as their own. Effort, struggle, and ownership are skipped — and so is the learning.
See the method in action
The Algorithm for Change walks through the step-by-step process students follow before, during, and after using AI.