St Leonard’s College Leads the Way in Revolutionising Education with AI Integration
Friday 4 October 2024
The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education is rapidly transforming the landscape of primary and secondary school learning.
The potential of this generative technology to personalise learning, enhance efficiency, and provide new pedagogical methods is significant.
As schools grapple with diverse student needs and ever-evolving educational standards, Artificial Intelligence (AI) offers tools and solutions that can address these challenges effectively and enhance the learning experience for students. The exploration of these benefits is already well underway at St Leonard’s College.
One of the most promising aspects of AI in education is its ability to personalise learning experiences for students. AI algorithms can analyse individual student data, including learning pace, strengths and weaknesses, to tailor educational content accordingly. This personalised approach ensures that each student receives the support they need to succeed academically. AI-powered platforms, like Mathletics and Education Perfect, use adaptive learning technology to provide customised lessons and practise exercises. These platforms continuously assess student performance and adjust the difficulty level of tasks to match their current understanding. Education Perfect is an essential tool to assist in language acquisition and has been a key resource for St Leonard’s Language teachers for several years. This adaptive learning model has been shown to improve student engagement and achievement by providing timely feedback and appropriate challenges. AI technology also has the capacity to allow students to create their own resources for revision purposes. In Year 5 students in their Maths class used AI to produce a range of maths puzzles based on an example that had been given to them. Similarly, Science students used AI platforms to create key terminology for assessment revision. In Year 8 History, students asked ChatGPT to produce a comparative essay looking at Vikings and Polynesians. Through their own study and understanding of key concepts, students were able to identify the generalisations used by the AI platform and identify where more specific primary and secondary sources needed to be included to ensure it was an appropriately researched response.
AI has the potential to revolutionise the way in which customised support is provided to students with diverse needs. AI-driven assistive technologies, such as speech recognition and text-to-speech software, are currently supporting students at St Leonard’s College to ensure they can access and engage with educational content. In a range of Middle School and Senior School classrooms, AI is being used to generate research, synthesise information and identify areas where the learning can be improved. In senior Commerce, students interrogate ChatGPT and are able to start with their own basic understanding of a topic and slowly build examples and statistics to enhance their understanding. Students are also able to outline key terms for concepts and provide scaffolded explanations of terminology.
AI can significantly enhance administrative efficiency in schools, allowing educators to focus more on teaching and less on administrative tasks. AI-driven systems can automate tasks such as quizzes and multiple-choice tests, providing immediate feedback to students and allowing teachers to dedicate more time to the instruction of more complex tasks. Our College Intranet, STL Link, already has this capacity, and quizzes are regularly used throughout the school to allow students to identify areas where they need to focus and request teacher support. Platforms such as ChatGPT have the capacity to create comprehension questions, vocabulary lists and supplementary resources, saving many hours of work.
While the benefits of AI in education are substantial, it is essential to address the ethical considerations and challenges associated with its implementation. Educating students about the issues of data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the digital divide is essential to ensure that AI is used responsibly and equitably in education. As shared by Tim Barlow, in his Network article ‘Preparing our Students for Ethically Responsible Use of AI’, from 2025, a new Year 8 core subject ‘Digital Literacy’ will provide this education.
In Visual Art, senior students are discussing the disruption caused by AI in the art and design industry and its implications for future careers in this field. In Art and Textiles classes, students are exploring the limitations of ChatGPT in analysing artwork and the need to critically interrogate the information that AI produces.
As we embrace these technological advancements, it is vital to remember that while AI skills are part of an evolving skill set, they will never replace the unique capabilities of human intelligence. Human creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence are irreplaceable and essential to a holistic education. St Leonard’s College is committed to integrating AI in ways that complement and enhance these human attributes, ensuring that students are well equipped for the future.
Image Credit: IMPACT Jobs via LinkedIn
The integration of AI in primary and secondary school education holds immense potential to transform the learning experience. By personalising learning, enhancing administrative efficiency, introducing innovative teaching methods, and supporting special education, AI can significantly improve educational outcomes. However, it is crucial to address the ethical considerations and challenges associated with AI implementation to ensure its responsible and equitable use. As technology continues to evolve, the role of AI in education will undoubtedly expand, offering new opportunities to enhance teaching and learning for all students.
By Susanne Haake, Director of Academic Development
*Previously published in the September 2024 edition of Network, the magazine of the St Leonard’s College community.