Cumbrian schools could see AI used to help teachers and pupils
There's a discussion in parliament today on it's use.
Last updated 29th Feb 2024
Discussions are taking place today on what the next steps for AI are in the education sector.
A national conference will consider the future roll of artificial intelligence, with previous government documents suggestion it may help support teachers by completing basic administration tasks.
In a paper published in the education hub section of the government's website in December, it was stated: "We’re still in the early stages of exploring the possibilities of AI and how it could benefit teachers.
"One area we’re looking at includes using AI tools to cut teacher workload by providing teachers with a virtual ‘assistant’.
"From drafting curriculum plans to producing high-quality teaching resources, AI has the potential to reduce the amount of time teachers spend doing administrative tasks, so they can focus on what they do best– teaching and supporting their pupils.
"There is much more work to be done to explore how AI could enhance how pupils learn, and we know that there are concerns around the risks for young people, especially as this is a new form of technology.
"The development of any AI tools for young people would prioritise their safety and security.
"This includes ensuring that children and young people are not accessing or creating harmful or inappropriate content online through generative AI, and that their data and intellectual property is protected.
"As AI tools are interactive and can be easily personalised, they could be used to provide all young people with their own virtual ‘tutor’. To name one example, AI could help provide pupils with a bespoke workplan, based on marking and assessments from teachers."
However there are some concerns over the development of AI in the classrooms by the Cumbria NEU (education union).
Andy Airey represents them, he said: "There's a massive amount of teachers that aren't up on AI at the moment, and they'd need a lot of help with it.
"It's almost like going back to the early 80s when computers first started coming into schools.
"The amount of people who were scared about it and needed lots of training. We need to make sure we can use this to it's best advantage that would help the children and help the teachers."
He believes that in the short term, the money invested in AI, could be better spent in other sectors of education.
"Actually, if that money was in school for resources, for the budgets, for the schools to help pay for people. At the moment school funding is so poor, some schools just don't have money to work at the moment the way that they should."