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Exploring Generative AI in Schools: The Journey So Far

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Colorado Convention Center, Bluebird Ballroom Lobby, Table 10

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Academic Affairs Lead
Goodnotes
Daniel has 14 years of experience in traditional education, where he focussed primarily on global education, senior leadership and curriculum design. Daniel has led Global Education focussed residential and online programmes for more than 4,000 students from 40 countries over the years. Most recently, Daniel made the move to Goodnotes, where he leads a research initiative dedicated towards better understanding of AI in education. Daniel holds a First Class BA in Media Arts, an MA in International Relations and a Level 7 Diploma in English Language Teaching as well as an MBA in Senior Leadership.

Session description

Explore Goodnotes' 2023 research on integrating Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in education. Address concerns of AI replacing teachers and academic integrity. Uncover strategies for safe GenAI adoption, emphasising value-driven practices and re-evaluation of assessment methods, aiming for a responsible transformation in teaching and learning paradigms.

Framework

The research conducted by Goodnotes aims to embody a socio-technological perspective, focusing on the real-world implications and applications of GenAI in educational settings. This perspective acknowledges the profound technological shifts that GenAI could bring into the learning and work environment, whilst scrutinising the societal and ethical implications entailed. By exploring concerns related to academic integrity, potential data breaches, and the risk of social isolation, the research focuses on the complex interplay between emerging AI technologies and the social dynamics within educational communities.

Moreover, the research adopts a pragmatic framework as it seeks to provide practical solutions to the identified challenges. This is evident from the actionable recommendations provided for schools, aimed at ensuring the safe and effective integration of GenAI while adhering to legal and ethical standards. The pragmatic approach is further reflected in the call to re-evaluate assessment parameters, emphasise tasks that GenAI cannot perform, and to consider GenAI as an academic "co-pilot," indicating a forward-thinking, problem-solving orientation geared towards optimising the educational process amidst the advent of GenAI.

Additionally, there's an element of inclusivity and diversity embodied in the research approach, demonstrated by the wide range of contributors involved, spanning various types of schools from top independent institutions to underfunded government schools. This inclusivity ensures a well-rounded examination of GenAI's potential and challenges across varying educational landscapes, promoting a broader understanding and dialogue that could be deemed crucial for the EdTech field, educators, and students committed to fostering digital citizenship in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

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Methods

The research embarked upon by Goodnotes in April 2023 sought to explore the intricacies of GenAI within school environments. The objective was to comprehend the significant technological shift GenAI is forecasted to bring in various facets of life, learning, and work. A multi-pronged methodological framework was developed for this inquiry, encapsulating interviews and focus groups designed to encapsulate a holistic understanding of GenAI's role in education from a diverse assortment of stakeholders.

The design of the research was methodically crafted to ensure a comprehensive representation of opinions and experiences. The primary data were harvested from working groups encompassing students, academics, practitioners, and experts. These groups were balanced to include individuals from a spectrum of educational settings, extending from top independent schools to underfunded government institutions, and even those without resources, ensuring a range of insights from diverse educational landscapes.

Participant selection was guided by a stratified sampling strategy aiming for diversity in experiences and viewpoints concerning GenAI. Individuals were invited based on varying levels of familiarity and experience with GenAI and educational technologies. The selection was also geographically diverse to encapsulate a global perspective on the issues discussed.

For both the interviews and focus groups, a semi-structured format was adopted, allowing for a guided yet flexible discussion. A core set of questions was prepared to steer the discourse, ensuring thematic consistency across different sessions whilst allowing room for emergent themes and open-ended discussions. The questions aimed to probe into participants' experiences, perceptions, and the perceived challenges and opportunities associated with GenAI in the educational sector. Questions encompassed inquiries about the anticipated impact of GenAI on teacher roles, academic integrity, and the potential risks and benefits associated with GenAI integration in school communities.

The analysis employed a mixed-methods approach. The quantitative data were scrutinised using statistical software to discern trends and correlations, whilst the qualitative data from interviews and focus groups underwent thematic analysis to distil key themes, challenges, and solutions associated with GenAI in education. The amalgamation of both qualitative and quantitative data analysis provided a well-rounded understanding of the complex dynamics surrounding GenAI within school communities globally.

The narrative of the findings and the subsequent recommendations for schools aim to transcend merely understanding the current scenario, venturing into navigating the future of learning and teaching amidst the integration of GenAI. The objective is aligned with the broader goals of ensuring adept teacher intervention, modelling digital citizenship, and fostering responsible online behaviour. Through such a rigorous and inclusive methodological approach, the research strives to contribute a rich, multi-dimensional perspective to the discourse on GenAI's role in modern education.

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Results

The research undertaken by Goodnotes yielded findings that cast light on the implications of GenAI within school settings. One of the pivotal revelations was the initial apprehension surrounding the notion of GenAI supplanting teachers. However, consensus among the diverse pool of contributors reflected that such a scenario was unlikely and undesirable. The discourse underscored the indispensable role of teachers in providing a nurturing and engaging learning environment, a dimension beyond the capacity of GenAI.

A significant concern echoed through the participants revolved around the integrity of academic endeavours. While GenAI presents novel avenues for academic dishonesty, the discussions revealed that dishonesty isn’t a new phenomenon. GenAI, on the contrary, challenges the conventional frameworks of teaching and assessment, urging a reevaluation of traditional methods to uphold academic integrity.

The exploration also unveiled certain limitations and challenges poised by GenAI. Concerns about potential data breaches, the propagation of misinformation, and risks of social isolation were prominent. These challenges underscored the importance of a cautious and well-regulated approach to implementing GenAI in schools to safeguard the educational community from potential adversities.

The resultant recommendations from the research present a roadmap for schools aiming to integrate GenAI in their educational framework. A prominent recommendation is the formulation of a comprehensive guidance document to navigate the safe and effective integration of GenAI, aligning with existing regulations and prioritising student well-being. Moreover, the importance of emphasising tasks beyond GenAI’s capability such as critical thinking, collaboration, and ethical digital citizenship was highlighted. This underscores the necessity to nurture skills that remain distinctly human, fostering a balanced educational experience.

The call for alternative assessment methods resonated through the recommendations, advocating for a reevaluation of assessment criteria to align with the evolving educational landscape. This encompasses recognising GenAI as an academic "co-pilot," and redesigning self-study tasks and assessment methods accordingly. Such a shift in assessment paradigms can engender a more enriched learning experience, enabling students to navigate the digital realm responsibly and ethically.

The importance of values-driven practices was emphasised, urging schools to transcend mere tool-centric approaches and instead, foster practices that align with the core values of the educational institution and the broader vision of nurturing well-rounded, digitally adept graduates.

The research urges schools that are capable of embracing GenAI to consider adopting sector-wide strategies for knowledge dissemination and sharing, encapsulating a broader vision for a collaborative and informed integration of GenAI within the educational sector.

The findings and recommendations from the research offer a compelling lens through which the educational community can envisage and navigate the unfolding landscape of GenAI in education. The discussions and insights drawn from a diverse cross-section of the educational community serve as a robust foundation for reimagining teaching and learning practices in the digital age.

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Importance

This research serves as a lens through which stakeholders—educators, heads of schools, students, parents, and school board directors—can discern the challenges and opportunities posed by GenAI within the educational spectrum. It provides a narrative encompassing a range of school environments, extending its relevance beyond independent schools to underfunded government institutions and those with limited resources.

For educators, the insights from the research elucidate the potential of GenAI in augmenting teaching methodologies while underscoring the value of human interaction and guidance in learning. It encourages educators to envision new paradigms of teaching that harmonise the capabilities of GenAI with the human elements of teaching, fostering a balanced learning environment.

Heads of schools and school board directors can benefit from the set of recommendations provided by the study. These recommendations provide a roadmap for the integration of GenAI in a manner that aligns with the values and vision of their respective institutions. By following the suggestions outlined, school leaders can spearhead a responsible adoption of GenAI, ensuring compliance with legal frameworks, safeguarding data privacy, and promoting digital citizenship among the school community.

Students stand to gain from a reimagined learning environment where GenAI acts as an academic co-pilot, expanding their horizons and empowering them to engage with digital technologies responsibly. This transition not only augments their learning experience but also prepares them for a future where digital technologies are common.

Parents can glean a better understanding of how GenAI could impact their children’s education and what measures schools are advised to take to ensure a safe and effective learning environment amidst the integration of such technologies.

Furthermore, the inclusive nature of the research, encompassing a diverse range of school types, ensures that the insights and recommendations are cognisant of the varying challenges and resources among different educational landscapes. This relevance underscores the value of the research as a resource for the broader educational community, paving the way for informed discussions and strategic planning in embracing GenAI to enhance the educational experience. Through this examination of GenAI's role in education, the study propels the discourse on how to integrate evolving technologies in a manner that enriches the learning and teaching ecosystem across diverse educational settings.

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References

Adams, R. (2013, September 3). Stop counting coursework towards GCSE grades, urges exam board. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/education/2013/sep/03/coursework-gcse-grades-exam-board
Australian Government, Department of Industry, Science and Resources. (2023). Safe and responsible AI in Australia.
Carvalho, L., Martinez-Maldonado, R., Tsai, Y.-S., Markauskaite, L., & De Laat, M. (2022). How can we design for learning in an AI world? Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 3, 100053. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2022.100053
Hattie, J. (2009). Visible learning: A synthesis of over 800 meta-analyses relating to achievement. Routledge.
Holmes, W., Hui, Z., Miao, F., & Ronghuai, H. (2021). AI and Education. UNESCO Publishing.
Holmes, W., & Tuomi, I. (2022). State of the art and practice in AI in education. European Journal of Education, 57(4), 542–570. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejed.12533
IAPP. (2023, February 6). Garante bans AI chatbot from processing Italians’ personal data. https://iapp.org/news/a/garante-bans-ai-chatbot-from-processing-italians-personal-data/
Internet World Stats. (2023, January 21). Internet Growth Statistics 1995 to 2019. https://www.internetworldstats.com/emarketing.htm
Kolaborasi Riset dan Inovasi Industri AI Indonesia. (2021). AI Towards Indonesia’s Vision 2045. Ai-Innovation.id. https://ai-innovation.id/strategi
Lee, K.-F., & Chen, Q. (2022). AI 2041: Ten Visions for Our Future (p. 118). W H Allen.
Michelle Renée Zimmerman. (2018). Teaching AI : exploring new frontiers for learning. International Society For Technology In Education (ISTE).
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China. (2022). Position Paper of the People’s Republic of China on Strengthening Ethical Governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/wjdt_665385/wjzcs/202211/t20221117_10976730.html
Monash University. (2023). Generative AI and assessment. Learning and Teaching: Teach HQ. https://www.monash.edu/learning-teaching/teachhq/Teaching-practices/artificial-intelligence/generative-ai-and-assessment
Nozza, D., Bianchi, F., & Hovy, D. (2021, June 1). HONEST: Measuring Hurtful Sentence Completion in Language Models. ACLWeb; Association for Computational Linguistics. https://doi.org/10.18653/v1/2021.naacl-main.191
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Sample, Ian (2023, July 10). Programs to detect AI discriminate against non-native English speakers, shows study https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/jul/10/programs-to-detect-ai-discriminate-against-non-native-english-speakers-shows-study
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology. (2023). Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning.
UNESCO. (2023, July 20). UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence: key facts. https://www.unesco.org/en/articles/unescos-recommendation-ethics-artificial-intelligence-key-facts
UNICEF. (2021). Policy guidance on AI for children (p. 16). https://www.unicef.org/globalinsight/media/2356/file/UNICE
Xu, W., & Ouyang, F. (2021). A systematic review of AI role in the educational system based on a proposed conceptual framework. Education and Information Technologies, 27, 4195–4223. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-021-10774-y

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Session specifications

Topic:
Artificial Intelligence
Grade level:
PK-12
Audience:
Curriculum/district specialists, Principals/head teachers, Teachers
Attendee devices:
Devices not needed
Subject area:
Inservice teacher education
ISTE Standards:
For Education Leaders:
Equity and Citizenship Advocate
  • Ensure all students have skilled teachers who actively use technology to meet student learning needs.
  • Model digital citizenship by critically evaluating online resources, engaging in civil discourse online and using digital tools to contribute to positive social change.
  • Cultivate responsible online behavior, including the safe, ethical and legal use of technology.