AI in education: how to use AI tools in your classroom next term

Busy educators may struggle to find time in their schedules to catch up on the latest technological trends. However, AI deserves our attention.

The fact is that AI is making its way into classrooms with or without our involvement. Around half of high school students ask AI tools for help with their schoolwork according to recent research. Educators need to stay one step ahead so they can help learners make the most of AI and make them aware of the risks involved.

What’s more interesting is that the same survey found AI users were more likely to be high achievers. This research is a sign we can leverage tools like ChatGPT to support learners and help them achieve great results.

Curious about how best to use AI in your classrooms? Our guide explores some ways you can implement the technology at your school. We also look at how to measure success - and how to avoid potential pitfalls.

What do we mean by AI in education?

AI has been around for decades in one form or another. However, it’s only with the release of generative AI and machine learning that we’ve seen schools using it. Many digital learning and ed-tech platforms have since integrated the software into their apps. But what exactly does this software do? 

Generative AI produces text, images, and even video based on the prompts we write. It draws from a vast repository of information to create this content. That means students can ask questions about almost anything, and AI tools can formulate accurate and informative responses (though fact-checking is always important as AI tools have been known to ‘hallucinate’.)

Machine learning is a feature of some AI tools. This is when the software can identify patterns and change its behaviour without a human giving it instructions. You may be familiar with how ChatGPT adapts its responses during the course of a single conversation. Well, that’s machine learning in action.

As AI adapts, it can provide more personalised and tailored responses. You can ask the software to speak to you in a specific way or focus on a certain task throughout the same chat. Again, this feature has a lot of applications in education as you could ask the bot to practise English conversation or roleplay a scenario.

Ways to include AI in your classroom

If you’ve kept AI out of your classroom until now, you may be unsure how best to implement it. With the right prompts, you can use it to perform different tasks.

Administrative work

AI can speed up routine tasks so teachers have more time to focus on students or even recharge their batteries. While AI-powered tools are still developing and may not be available to all schools, they’re showing promise in assisting with a variety of tasks, including:

• Tracking individual attendance and punctuality
• Managing timetables, trips and conferences
• Handling communication and routine inquiries
• Marking exams and assigning grades
• Analysing results to get insights into student performance

One of the biggest time savers is AI’s ability to generate resources. Teachers can get it to produce a set of questions based on a particular lesson or point. You can also ask it to provide a best-practice sample and answer key to help you mark the work faster.

Lesson planning

Each lesson typically requires anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours to plan and prepare. Even if you’ve taught the class before, you still must spend time tailoring the tasks to the specific group. The more lessons you have, the longer you spend on planning.

AI can generate a lesson plan based on a well-known syllabus and fill it with tasks. If you mention what your students struggle with or enjoy, it can tweak the activities for them. You can also ask ChatGPT how to design activities that mitigate certain classroom issues. For example, every teacher has a student who talks over the others. Assign the talkative student the role of a debate moderator or introduce a system where students mark each other on their performance. For instance, during group activities or presentations, students can give feedback on each other's participation and communication skills. This fosters a sense of responsibility and peer accountability.

Both these suggestions are based on best practice. They foster a sense of responsibility and accountability in students instead of just encouraging them to do what the teacher says. 

Giving feedback

Writing reports is a critical task as it tells students what they must do to improve. The issue is that it can be time-consuming, especially if you teach different grades. You can easily end up writing reports for hundreds of students if you have a new class every period.

AI can help you write reports by giving you templates or translating notes into statements. It can also suggest how to phrase feedback so it will be well-received. For example, parents won’t react well to being told their child is “lazy”. ChatGPT says a less personal and more professional way to express this is “needs to develop stronger work habits”.

On-demand support

AI can provide learners with personalised support outside of school hours. It can answer questions, clear up confusion, and break down complex ideas whenever they need. As the AI tools allow students to move at their own pace, they’re also less likely to get frustrated or stressed. No wonder research shows the overwhelming majority of students find such tools helpful.

While students often explore AI tools on their own, educators can still offer essential support. You can show classes how to get the most out of tools. For example, teachers could explore how to phrase prompts to get ChatGPT to explain ideas in simple enough terms. Students could also say what’s worked well for them and what’s produced interesting results.

Benefits to look for

When used correctly, AI can bring schools the following advantages:

• Greater inclusivity: Teachers can easily adapt activities for students with different needs and abilities. For example, they can simplify instructions for those with dyslexia. 
• Increased reach: Some students find it difficult to come to school for various reasons. AI can support studying from home as learners can ask the tools questions instead of waiting for a reply from the teacher. 
• More resources: You can adapt resources to cater to different learning styles more easily. AI can help you caption videos, convert speech to text, or visualise text as images to enhance understanding.

Challenges to overcome

Like most new technologies, AI isn’t without its drawbacks. Here’s how to navigate some of the main challenges:

• Clear rules: Introducing classroom policies around the use of AI can help students see the best ways to use the new tools. You should explain the reason for the rules so they understand why they’re in their best interest.
• Training: Encourage learners to use AI tools critically so they don’t become too reliant on the tools. You can arrange dedicated sessions or incorporate these ideas into teachers’ lesson plans.
• Access: Not all students can use AI tools outside of school which can lead to inequality in the classroom. Educators can explore ways to give them free access, for example, allowing them to use the computer room outside of classes.
• Privacy: Check the terms of service for any AI tools you’re considering. Some platforms share the data from prompts with third parties for marketing or research purposes. Ensure any apps you use in the classroom handle data responsibly so you can protect your students’ privacy.

Final thoughts on AI in education

Introducing AI to your classroom requires a fine balancing act. You must ensure the tools add value to lessons rather than distracting students or encouraging bad study habits. Likewise, teachers should take care to only use AI as a shortcut and not let it affect the quality of their classes.

If you’d appreciate more guidance while introducing technology to classes, the British Council has many resources on this topic. For example, we run regular webinar series on AI in the classroom. Partner School members can also collaborate on projects and discuss the latest advances through our Partners Schools Connect platform. 

To see everything the British Council has to offer on AI, check out our Online Support for Schools platform. You can contact your local British Council centre if you’re not already a member.