Image source: UK Parliament CC BY 3.0
The Department for Education (DfE) is planning to publish training and guidance for teachers on how they can use AI.
Minister for Early Education Stephen Morgan referred to the plan in response to a parliamentary question from Conservative MP Damian Hinds regarding the “inappropriate use” of generative AI.
Morgan said the resources will be aimed at helping schools to manage the risks involved in using the technology, and are expected to be made available during the summer.
Answering a further question from Hinds on whether there had been an assessment of school pupils using generative AI to complete their homework, Murphy said that none had taken place.
But he pointed out that guidance is already available through the Joint Council for Qualifications. This includes what counts as misuse, the requirements for teachers and exam centres to help detect and prevent malpractice, AI use and marking, and a list of tools including those for AI detection.
Morgan added that the department is also funding research by education watchdog Ofsted into how early adopter schools and colleges are using AI to support teaching and learning and to manage administrative processes.
Emerging practices
“This research will provide an up-to-date assessment of what emerging practices are developing in the education sector's use of AI and the role that school and college leaders are playing in supporting innovation through embedding AI and managing associated risks,” he said.
The DfE has taken a generally positive attitude towards the potential of AI in schools, with an announcement of funding for the development prototypes for marking and feedback, and a speech earlier this year by Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson stating it will be a part of the modernisation of education in England.
It has also produced technical and user research reports on the generative AI.
