Teachers can use AI to save time on marking, new guidance says

Teachers can use AI to save time on marking, new guidance says

In England, teachers now have the option to utilize artificial intelligence (AI) for quicker grading and to compose correspondence to parents, according to new government directives. The training materials that are being circulated to schools, as reported exclusively by the BBC, suggest that teachers can employ technology to “assist with automating mundane tasks” and redirect their attention towards “meaningful face-to-face interactions”. The Department for Education (DfE) has emphasized the importance of teachers being transparent about their use of AI and meticulously verifying its outcomes.

The Association of School and College Leaders (ASCL) acknowledged that AI could potentially “liberate time for in-person teaching”, yet there remain significant unresolved concerns. BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, characterized the development as a “significant advancement”, while noting that teachers would benefit from specific guidance on disclosing their use of AI to parents. Teachers and students have previously explored AI, with the DfE previously endorsing its integration within educational settings.

The DfE has specified that AI should exclusively be deployed for “low-stakes” grading like quizzes and homework, while also stressing the necessity for teachers to cross-verify the results generated by the technology. Moreover, teachers are permitted to utilize AI for the generation of routine correspondence to parents, as exemplified by a scenario involving drafting a letter concerning a head lice outbreak. Emma Darcy, a secondary school leader, emphasized the educator’s moral obligation to adeptly employ AI due to students actively engaging with these tools at a sophisticated level.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson lauded the latest guidelines as an initiative aimed at diminishing workloads for educators. ASCL general secretary Pepe Di’Iasio indicated that although numerous schools and colleges have effectively leveraged AI to alleviate burdensome workloads, challenges regarding financial constraints persist. Notably, research from BCS revealed that the majority of teachers had not incorporated AI into their practices, citing concerns about disclosure. Nevertheless, the guidance has been commended as a pivotal stride forward by experts in the field

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