Artificial intelligence (AI) has very quickly in the last few years become an integral part of many of our daily lives, and its evolving influence on education is undeniable.
For schools, creating a clear AI strategy is essential to help harness its benefits while mitigating the potential risks.
Understanding AI
AI technologies offer promising opportunities for personalised learning platforms, assistance with lesson-planning and resources, making administrative tasks more efficient, and creating engaging learning opportunities for students.
However, the introduction and use of AI in schools requires careful consideration of its appropriateness in terms of how it aligns with the developmental stages of children and young people.
AI tools encompass a wide array of options beyond well-known platforms like ChatGPT. These tools range from adaptive learning software and automated grading systems to classroom management aids and interactive educational games. Each tool must be chosen thoughtfully, ensuring it complements traditional teaching methods and upholds the school’s educational values.
Developing an AI policy
To develop a coherent strategy for the implementation of AI there are a number of areas you should consider. Here are six:
- Educational purpose and scope: Schools need to define how they plan to use AI, focusing on its educational benefits while keeping in mind the age and developmental stage of children and young people. An AI policy should consider the specific purposes AI will serve, whether it is to support teachers’ preparation, personalised learning support, or automating routine tasks. This clarity ensures that AI tools are used strategically and not indiscriminately.
- Privacy and data protection: AI in schools involves collecting data including potentially information from or about pupils, which means data privacy is a significant concern. A comprehensive AI policy must address how pupil data will be collected, processed, stored, and shared, and specify the need for data protection impact assessments before any tools are used. Schools should work closely with data protection officers and parents to ensure transparency and build trust in their data-handling processes.
- Ensuring ethical use: The ethical deployment of AI in education is crucial, especially when working with younger learners. AI tools should be vetted to ensure they are age-appropriate and do not reinforce harmful biases. Policies should also ensure that AI complements rather than replaces teacher-pupil interaction. This requires regular monitoring of AI applications to ensure they continue to align with the school’s values and educational philosophy.
- Age limits: Many of the general AI systems accessible to pupils, such as ChatGPT, have minimum age limits of 13-plus, so careful consideration needs to be given to which platforms are suitable for use by younger pupils.
- Teacher training and CPD: Teachers are key to successfully integrating AI into education. A policy framework should include on-going professional development to help teachers understand AI tools, how to use them effectively in the classroom, how to use them to save time, and how to address any challenges that may arise. Empowered teachers will be more comfortable experimenting with AI, which can foster a culture of innovation in the school.
- Curriculum development: Embedding AI concepts into the computing curriculum supports the development of pupils’ understanding of the use of AI, including benefits, challenges and ethical issues, exploring responsible digital behaviour with AI.
Implementing an AI strategy
An effective AI strategy must however go beyond policy creation; it is about actioning and embedding those principles in practical ways. Here are four steps schools can take to integrate AI thoughtfully.
- Identify specific needs: Before deploying any AI tools, schools should assess their specific needs. For example, if a school wants to improve numeracy skills, AI-based adaptive learning tools could be employed to provide differentiated exercises tailored to each pupil’s level.
- Pilot programs: Start with small-scale pilots to evaluate the effectiveness of AI tools in a controlled environment. Pilots can help schools understand both the benefits and challenges of using AI, providing valuable insights before a wider roll-out.
- Involve the whole school community: For an AI strategy to be successful in the long run, it must involve teachers, pupils, and parents – including a comprehensive CPD programme. Schools should communicate clearly about what AI tools are being implemented and how the school believes these will benefit pupils’ learning experiences. Parent workshops and informative sessions can help to air and (hopefully) alleviate concerns and encourage a partnership approach to AI use.
- Monitor and evaluate: Once AI tools are implemented, schools must have mechanisms for on-going monitoring and evaluation. This ensures that AI applications are meeting the intended educational objectives and that any issues are addressed promptly. Feedback from teachers, pupils, and parents should play a central role in this evaluation.
Challenges and ethical considerations
While AI holds significant promise for primary education, it is not without challenges. A clear risk management strategy should be in place to ensure AI use remains ethical and appropriate. Key risks include data privacy, digital equity, AI dependency, reduced human interaction, and algorithmic bias which could inadvertently reinforce stereotypes. Schools must carefully select tools prioritising fairness, inclusivity, and compatibility with SEN support to avoid disadvantaging any pupil group.
Final thoughts
AI tools present exciting opportunities for schools to enhance learning, streamline administrative tasks, and offer personalised educational experiences. However, to fully harness these benefits, schools must develop a clear AI strategy that prioritises educational value, ethical considerations, data privacy, and teacher support.
By involving the entire school community and implementing AI in a thoughtful and controlled manner, schools can create an environment where the technology and the essential human connections work in harmony, preparing pupils for a future where AI will play an increasingly important role in all our lives.
- Dr Andy Kemp is principal of The National Mathematics and Science College.