Whole School
The Benefits and Dangers of AI in the School Context
The world is changing at a rapid pace. The way in which we communicate, socialise, learn, and do everyday life has seen substantial changes with the introduction of modern technologies. A technology that is at the forefront of everyone’s minds right now is AI (Artificial Intelligence).
Before we start talking about AI and its place in learning, it is important for us to know what AI is and understand the WHY behind AI. To help explain this, I am going to use a text based generative AI tool to explain AI because, ironically, it can do this more succinctly and quickly than I can, and it will provide you with an understanding of its capabilities. The below blurb was created using ChatGPT in about 5 seconds with the following prompt:
“Explain AI and its purpose simply in a short blurb.”
“Artificial Intelligence (AI) is technology that enables computers to learn from data, make decisions, and perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. Its purpose is to automate and improve processes, solve complex problems, and enhance our daily lives by making things like recommendations, voice assistants, and smart home devices work seamlessly.”
As explained in the above blurb, AI has been designed to enhance daily lives by focusing on efficiency and improvement. This text-based generative tool demonstrates AI’s ability to articulate what AI is and its purpose demonstrating its efficiency and effectiveness for this task and saving me time in completing this article. The benefit of understanding the WHY behind AI and the WHY behind implementing any type of AI tool is critical in any industry or in any part of our lives. By doing this, it forces us to think about the moral, ethical and societal implications of this technology, being aware of and understanding the dangers it can pose, but more importantly thinking about mitigating these dangers and allowing for its true purpose to be achieved.
In addressing the implementation of AI into a school setting, we must be aware that AI is part of the world today and will continue to be part of the world tomorrow and into the future. Therefore, we have an obligation and responsibility to provide opportunities for students to engage with this technology, develop individual experiences with it and learn to understand the WHY behind AI in a safe and supportive environment. To enable us to do this, the Department of Education has developed:
The Australian Framework for Generative Artificial Intelligence in Schools:
Click Here to download a copy of this document.
This Framework is designed to help all Australian school communities (students, teachers, staff, parents, and carers) implement AI in such a way that it develops and improves Teaching and Learning, Social Wellbeing, Transparency, Fairness, Accountability and Privacy, Security and Safety. In our faith-based school, we aim to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) with guidance from the Bible. Through critical thought and prayer, we wrestle with what and how we teach, ensuring our approach aligns with Christian values. This integration helps students navigate technological advancements with a moral and ethical framework rooted in faith, promoting responsible and compassionate use of AI in our modern world.
As we look to scriptures for guidance, we are encountered by a message of truth, for without truth, we cannot have integrity or justice and our society will face significant negative consequences. For AI to serve its purpose, it requires the data it uses to be truthful. Learning about AI from a biblical perspective ensures our students engage with these technologies ethically, promoting transparency, honesty, and integrity and contribute truth to its future development.
Richard Culatta, the CEO for the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) suggests that for our students to become healthy digital citizens there needs to be a balance of learning about the ‘dos’ and the ‘don'ts’ of technology because students cannot practise not doing something. Further to this, it is important for us to have a healthy balance of teaching and learning about online safety as well as conversations around what type of digital citizen we want to be and how we can make our communities better both on and offline.
As we partner together to ensure each child is given an opportunity to be successful in the future, whatever this may look like, I encourage you to take some time to think about how we can have a consistent message about technology and the use of technology both at school and at home.
Please see below some resources to assist you in this journey and please do not hesitate to talk to someone if you feel you need some support in this area.
eSafety: https://www.esafety.gov.au/
eSmart: https://www.alannahandmadeline.org.au/learning-resources
Book: Digital for Good: Raising Kids to Thrive in an Online World – By Richard Culatta
Dave Sukh
Senior Primary Teacher/Primary Digital Technologies Teacher