AI Insights #12
Matthew Wemyss
Assistant School Director | Co-host of Ctrl+Alt+Teach Podcast | Edufuturists Awards - A.I. Pioneer 2024
This week’s edition is packed with ideas and practical advice on getting the best out of AI in education, addressing student concerns, and preparing for the future.
Here’s what’s inside:
Now, let's get into it!
The Death of the Dreaded Past Paper Lesson
If you’ve ever sat through a revision lesson that involved churning through past papers, you’ll know the drill. A few students diligently attempt the questions, some half-heartedly scribble something down, and others quietly (or not-so-quietly) disengage. The teacher stops the clock, runs through the answers, and hopes the whole exercise sticks.
It’s a tired formula, a poor proxy for actual learning.
But this year, something changed in my Year 12 classroom. They didn’t touch a single past paper, and yet, they left feeling more prepared than ever. How?
The magic of choice, supported by the power of AI.
Tom Rogerson often speaks of the power of “&”. But what about the power of “or”?
Offering students clear, tailored options. Instead of being confined to a single path, they could choose the one that suited them best, making their revision not just purposeful, but personal.
‘OR’
Revision lessons became a menu of possibilities:
Need pseudocode support? Assignments were waiting for them on Teams, complete with an AI-powered bot to give instant feedback before final submission, and then my feedback.
OR
Prefer targeted practice? I’d co-opted a Mindjoy course (you can read about this in last week's newsletter) that provided live AI feedback as students worked through practice questions for each unit (much better than the stop and start).
OR
Struggling with specific topics? Bespoke AI bots tailored to each unit offered scaffolded guidance and tackled misconceptions head-on.
Each student chose the path that suited their needs best, and the results were fantastic.
AI Isn’t a Shortcut
Now, let’s not pretend this was effortless. Setting up these pathways was no small feat, but the payoff was undeniable. AI didn’t replace my input, but it sped up the creation of the 'content' significantly.
These lessons were, hands down, the most productive revision sessions I’ve facilitated in 14 years of teaching.
The problem with past papers isn’t that they’re useless (they have their place) but they treat revision as a one-size-fits-all exercise. Not every student has the same gaps in understanding, nor do they benefit equally from the same practice.
By offering multiple pathways and building in real-time feedback, AI allowed for the type of personalisation that past papers simply can’t.
Students weren’t just working independently; they were working effectively.
My New Book is Coming Soon!
After the incredible response to AI in Education: An Educator’s Handbook (which hit Amazon’s bestsellers list just last week) I’m thrilled to announce that my second book, AI in Education: A Student’s Handbook, is on its way. Set to launch in the New Year (and with enough coffee, maybe even in time for the festive season ??), this new guide is designed with students in mind.
It’s all about empowering them to use AI responsibly, creatively, and age-appropriately. This isn’t about letting AI do the thinking.
Whether you’re a student eager to make the most of technology or an educator looking for fresh resources, this book is for you.
?? Want to be the first to know when it’s out? Join the waitlist here: https://lnkd.in/d2fxnxzK
Looking for the Educator’s Handbook? Find it here: https://amzn.eu/d/2HZG4tG
Unlike the new OpenAI Educators Course, my prompts actually work. ??
Hands-On AI at AIDUCATION’25!
Are you ready to move beyond the AI hype and start making a real impact in your classroom? AIDUCATION’25 is your chance to dive into an immersive, practical experience tailored to educators. This isn’t about vague promises or far-off possibilities—it’s about real tools, real strategies, and real results for teaching today!
?? Inspiring Keynotes
Hear from leading voices in AI and education, including Dan Fitzpatrick , Al Kingsley , Ben Whitaker and Philippa Wraithmell . These pioneers will share actionable insights to help you integrate AI seamlessly, reshape your digital strategy, and create future-ready classrooms.
Hands-On Practical Sessions
?? Effortless Integration with TeachMateAI Join Karen Dillamore and Lindsay Round to explore how TeachMateAI can enrich your lessons without adding complexity.
?? AI for All Learners Patrick McGrath from Texthelp will demonstrate how AI can adapt to diverse learning needs, ensuring every student gets the support they need to succeed.
?? Creativity Meets Technology Work with Trudi Barrow to unleash creativity through AI, blending innovation with design thinking for engaging lessons.
?? ChatGPT in the Classroom Let Jack Dougall show you how to use ChatGPT to spark critical thinking, encourage collaboration, and drive student engagement.
?? From Concept to Creation Turn ideas into AI-powered solutions with Ben Edmonds and Aaron Patching from Inventor Club , guiding you to build models that solve real-world challenges.
??? The International Classroom Podcast Catch exclusive live recordings with Alex Gray as he interviews education leaders about the latest trends, challenges, and breakthroughs in AI for teaching.
Gen Z's AI Anxiety
Recently, I was demonstrating the latest AI technologies to my Year 13 students. We had just started the AI unit and couldn’t resist going a little beyond the specification. To be blunt, they are genuinely concerned about their future careers.
Despite growing up with technology, they’re watching AI evolve into something far more powerful than anything they’ve seen before. Tools like HeyGen can now create AI avatars that attend multiple Zoom meetings simultaneously, while Anthropic's Claude can control computers to navigate applications. Combined with AI voice synthesis that perfectly mimics human speech, it’s no wonder these Year 13s are worried.
For students on the cusp of university, seeing AI handle tasks is an unsettling preview of their future workplace. Some Year 12 students have even told me they’re considering dropping Computer Science altogether, believing AI will soon take over all coding. This anxiety speaks volumes about how AI is shaping their perception of career paths and the skills they believe are worth pursuing.
The Real Story Behind the Anxiety
Our Year 13s are facing a unique challenge. They're not just dealing with the usual pressures of university applications and steep fees; they are also questioning whether the careers they are striving for will still exist by the time they graduate, and even if going to university is worth it.
It's a sobering thought for teenagers contemplating their future.
A Silver Lining?
However, the outlook isn't as gloomy as it might seem. While certain roles will undoubtedly change or disappear, new opportunities are emerging. Economist Carl Benedikt Frey suggests we're not facing a "job apocalypse" but rather a transformation of work itself. The key lies in how we prepare students for this shift.
What Schools Can Do Now
Our education system needs to evolve quickly:
Looking Ahead
The message to our students should be clear: yes, AI will change the job market, but understanding and working with these tools could be your greatest advantage. Just as computer literacy became essential in the past decades, AI literacy will likely become a fundamental skill across all sectors.
What's Next?
For educators and parents reading this newsletter, consider how we can better prepare our students for this future. If you're not already discussing AI in your classrooms, be aware that students are forming their views from social media, which often amplifies both unrealistic fears and overblown promises about AI's capabilities.
Could your school benefit from AI literacy programmes?
Now is the time to help students critically evaluate what they're hearing about AI, understand its real potential, and recognise its current limitations.
How are you helping students distinguish between AI fact and fiction? Are you creating spaces for open discussions about their concerns?
Ta-ra Duck
And on that note I will leave you to enjoy your weekend!
??Edufuturists A.I. Pioneer 2024