A boy using AI to learn

Empowering AI in education

The Department for Education has unveiled ambitious plans to revolutionise the educational landscape, harnessing technology to break down barriers to opportunity and enhance teaching quality.

During the keynote address at The Bett Show, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson detailed expansive measures aimed at transforming teaching with the integration of advanced technology. Phillipson emphasised that this initiative would ensure both students and teachers gain access to the necessary tools and support to succeed.

The plan highlighted streamlined processes for acquiring technology, enhancing teacher training, and utilising tech in classrooms to drive high standards. Research indicates that effective use of digital tools can significantly boost student performance, with the Education Endowment Foundation noting improvements of 2 to 3 months in accelerated learning when technology is effectively integrated. Additionally, over two-thirds of school leaders reported increased pupil attainment due to educational technology, as per the Department for Education’s Technology in Schools Survey.

This announcement followed the government’s broader strategy to leverage AI and technology across public services, aimed at driving efficiency and saving taxpayer money. The Education Secretary underscored the role of AI in reducing teacher workloads, which could address the recruitment and retention crisis by making teaching a more sustainable and joyful profession.

As part of her speech, Phillipson said:

“The world of even 5 years ago is gone forever, now we must seize the opportunities of the future.

“We can hope for a brighter future for our children – delivered by a digital revolution in education.

“I will take up this great new technological era to modernise our education system, to back our teachers and to deliver better life chances for our children across the country.”

Education ai QUOTE

In a move to ensure the safety of educational tools, leading global tech firms including Google, Microsoft, Adobe, and Amazon Web Services committed to making AI tools safer by design. The AI product safety expectations in education framework was introduced, setting detailed safety standards and technical safeguards to protect students. This framework is complemented by new training and guidance resources for teachers, developed by the Chiltern Learning Trust and the Chartered College of Teaching, slated for release in Spring 2025.

The conference also spotlighted initiatives aimed at using technology to support vulnerable pupils, including training new teachers in the use of assistive technology for special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This training pilot demonstrated significant benefits, with a majority of teachers observing increased student independence, confidence, engagement, and improved attainment.

However, these technological advances necessitate appropriate infrastructure. The Education Secretary announced a new service to aid schools in navigating tech purchases, ensuring investments are aligned with their needs and compliant with digital standards. Furthermore, the introduction of an EdTech Evidence Board, piloted by the Chartered College of Teaching, aims to provide evidence-based recommendations for effective AI products in education.

Additionally, the Department for Education is developing an evolving digital service, DfE Connect, to streamline administrative tasks and support school leaders in effective budget management. These comprehensive measures underscore the government’s commitment to modernising education, ensuring every child has access to the resources and opportunities needed to thrive in a digital age.

These transformative efforts are set to usher in a new era of educational excellence, prioritising technological integration to foster an inclusive and dynamic learning environment for all students.

 

Image credit: iStock

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