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Teaching and learning with AI (part 1)

An explosion of creativity

an explosion of creativity with AI

Teachers are discovering new ways of using AI in their teaching, in an explosion of creativity.

Their joyful enthusiasm is infectious! Teachers can use the many examples in the table below to inspire or plan lessons for students of all ages and abilities.  

The ability of AI to simplify and translate text into other languages allows teachers to meet the diversity of needs of their students more effectively than ever before. Generative AI is a game changer. 

Learning ContextBrainstorming
Learning ContextMaking lists
Learning ContextSummarising
Learning ContextQuotes and studies
Learning ContextCritical thinking: spotting errors or fact and tone
Learning ContextAutomated grading and feedback
Learning ContextFlashcards
Learning ContextProducing retrieval tests
Learning ContextProject-based learning
Learning ContextProducing artwork
Learning ContextExplanation of concepts
Learning ContextKnowledge: facts, concepts and details
Learning ContextPros and cons
Learning ContextEnhanced administration tasks
Learning ContextMaking suggestions
Learning ContextLanguage translation
Learning Contextsmart classroom management
Learning ContextCo-designer
Learning ContextDynamic assessor
Learning ContextExploratorium
Learning ContextIntelligent content creation
Learning Outcomesadaptive assessments
Learning OutcomesComparing
Learning OutcomesCreative writing
Learning Outcomespredictive analytics for student success
Learning Outcomessummarise text that you supply
Learning ConversationDiscussing AI literacy and ethical considerations
Learning ConversationIntelligent tutoring systems
Learning Conversationlanguage learning and translation
Learning ConversationPersonalised learning
Learning ConversationGetting feedback on your writing
Learning ConversationGetting feedback: clarity
Learning ConversationGetting feedback: conciseness
Learning ConversationGetting feedback: flow
Learning ConversationGetting feedback: formatting
Learning ConversationGetting feedback: Proofreading
Learning ConversationGetting feedback: style
Learning ConversationGetting feedback: structure tone
Learning ConversationFlashcards
Learning ConversationGuide on the side
Learning ConversationPossibility engine
Learning ConversationResearch Assistant
Learning ConversationRole playing
Learning CommunityBrainstorming
Learning CommunityCollaboration coach
Learning CommunityConversationalist
Learning CommunityGetting feedback: citations
Learning CommunityBeing a life coach
Learning CommunityBeing a mentor for studying
Learning CommunityBeing a mentor for writing prompts
Learning CommunityBeing a motivator
Learning CommunityBeing a personal tutor
Learning CommunityBecoming a socratic opponent
Learning CommunityStory telling
Learning CommunityBeing a study buddy
The examples are loosely grouped into categories, depending on how they impact on lessons. The learning conversation includes all of the interactions in the classroom and where learning takes place. The learning community describes how the wider community (including online support) can influence teaching and learning. The classification is somewhat arbitrary, as some examples could appear in more than one group. 

Using AI to “reduce workload across the education sector [and] free up teachers’ time, allowing them to focus on delivering excellent teaching” (Department of Education, England, October 2023) are aims that are shared by many education policy makers across the world. 

Students could also use most of the examples shown above for themselves to promote their own learning. The official policy documents are rather more tentative about this, generally recognising that, for example: 

“The education sector needs to:

  • prepare students for changing workplaces
  • teach students how to use emerging technologies, such as generative AI, safely and appropriately” (Department of Education, England, October 2023)

One of the biggest concerns for contemporary pedagogy is to consider how students can use AI in the classroom to promote active and productive learning. This is rather more than using AI to plagiarise homework assignments.  

This is not without its risks. Students using AI in the classroom have the power to disrupt the normal functions and flow of the classroom, and this is something we need to consider next.

Q. Which areas of your workload do you think that AI could help you to manage more productively?

Q. What are the advantages and disadvantages of teaching students to use AI productively?

Updated: 11/01/24 to include link to Microsoft’s “Unlock generative AI safely and responsibly” – a new classroom toolkit from Microsoft Education”. A resource for 13-15 year old students.

Updated: 16/01/24 to include end of article questions.

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