AI Insights #8
Matthew Wemyss
Assistant School Director | Co-host of Ctrl+Alt+Teach Podcast | Edufuturists Awards - A.I. Pioneer 2024
I’ve been off this week for half-term, but switching off is hard when AI keeps moving at full speed (just take a look here). The news never stops, and neither do the lessons learned.
This week’s newsletter covers what not to do when introducing AI in the classroom—let’s just say my Year 12s didn’t take to it quite like my other classes. I’ll share a simple method to avoid my mistakes.
You can also grab a copy of AI in Education: An Educator’s Handbook from Amazon. Plus, why the "wait and see" approach to AI is holding schools back.
Let’s get into it!
How Not to Introduce AI in the Classroom
After a stellar run with my Year 9 students and some cool AI projects with my Year 13s, I thought I had this whole AI-in-the-classroom thing sorted. I was on a roll. But, as always, life has a funny way of bringing you back down to earth.
Thanks to a timetable swap, I found myself with a group that was lagging a bit on their AS course. No problem, I thought. We’d move through the units a bit faster, and I’d introduce AI to speed things along. Easy, right?
Wrong.
In my rush to catch up, I skipped something important. I never explained why we were using AI. No context, no gradual build-up. I just plonked it down and said, "Here’s AI. Off you go!" And guess what? They didn’t go.
Unlike my Year 9s and Year 13s, they didn’t see the point of using AI. And, shockingly, they didn’t magically become AI experts on their own either. Go figure.
So, what did I learn? Even when you're short on time, you can’t just toss technology at students and expect miracles. They need a reason to care. More importantly, they need to know how to use it properly. Otherwise, it's like handing someone a bicycle and forgetting to explain what the pedals are for. They’ll just stand there, baffled, while you wonder why they aren’t riding off into the sunset.
In the spirit of saving you from my mistakes, let me share a simple three-step method for introducing AI in your classroom: WHY-HOW-WHEN:
WHY
Start by explaining why AI matters, not to you, but to them. Why should they care? How will it help their learning? Why this tool for this task? If students don’t see the point, they won’t engage. Simple as that.
HOW
Do not just throw them a shiny new tool and hope for the best. Walk them through how it works, what it can do, and where its limits are. You wouldn’t just give them the car and expect them to figure it out on their own. Or, at least, I hope you wouldn’t.
WHEN
Timing is everything. Just because AI is here doesn’t mean it should be used all the time. Students need to understand when it’s the right tool for the job, and when their own skills are a better option. Otherwise, you’ll end up with students trying to use AI for everything.
Next time, I’ll remember to slow down, lay the foundation, and explain the why behind it all.
An Educator's Handbook: Over 1,500 Downloads!
A huge thank you to the over 1,500 educators who have downloaded AI in Education: An Educator's Handbook! It’s incredible to see so many people exploring how AI can unlock new opportunities in the classroom.
I received this nice bit of feedback earlier in the week:
"I recently downloaded your handbook and was extremely impressed by it.? I find it to be a very straightforward and realistic approach to integrating AI into the classroom.? I have been recommending it to anyone that comes to me about AI."
If you’ve found the guide useful, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Your feedback is invaluable, and I’d be grateful if you could take a moment to leave a review by following the link below.
And now, you can purchase a copy directly from Amazon. The price simply covers the cost of printing.
But getting a copy of the guide is just the beginning. If you’re ready to have a chat about how AI can work in your school and want practical, informed steps, I’d love to connect. I’m not just talking about AI—I’m actively implementing it. With real hands-on experience, I can help guide you through choosing the right AI tools and strategies to ensure they make a real impact for both your students and staff.
If you’d like to chat further, feel free to send me a direct message on LinkedIn. I’m always happy to connect and discuss AI!
AIDUCATION'25: Be There, Get Practical
We’re gearing up for AIDUCATION'25, and things are really starting to take shape. Here’s a quick overview of the keynotes and workshops we’ve announced so far. There’s still more to come, but here’s what’s already on the agenda:
Keynote Speakers:
Workshops Announced So Far:
And don't forget Alex Gray interviewing behind the scenes for the International Classroom Podcast.
Stay tuned...more exciting workshops and speakers will be announced soon!
?? Join us in Bucharest on 15th February 2025!
??? Get your tickets here ???
This is shaping up to be an unmissable event for anyone looking to use AI in education.
"Wait and See? Really?"
It’s 2024, and AI tools like ChatGPT have been around for almost two years. In a few months, February 2025, the EU’s AI Act will legally require schools to provide AI literacy training for staff. Yet, some schools are still holding onto a “wait and see” mindset. What exactly are you waiting for?
AI is not going anywhere.
If your staff are using tools like ChatGPT without the necessary oversight, what is your plan? How are you safeguarding data? This is not just about technology, it is about protecting your students and your school. Without a clear strategy, you risk privacy breaches, legal complications (as seen in the Massachusetts case), and leaving your staff and students exposed.
Schools should be leading, not hoping for the best. When things go wrong, “wait and see” won’t be enough.
Use the 1-3-1 Approach
Instead of waiting until it is too late, try using 1-3-1 to prepare your school:
1 Priority: Establish clear AI policies now. Do not wait for the law to force your hand. Form a team to define how AI will be used in your school and what boundaries need to be set for both teachers and students. AI literacy should not be an afterthought; it needs to be a central focus.
3 Actions:
1 Outcome: Your school will not only meet current and upcoming regulations, but will also lead with a forward-thinking AI strategy that sets an example for others to follow.
The Time to Act is Now
This is not about the future; it is happening right now. While I don’t often say that schools are falling behind with AI, when it comes to policy, I believe many are!
What will it take for AI to appear in Keeping Children Safe in Education 2025? A government white paper? EU law? (It’s in place, but I don’t see much action yet.)
Schools need to act proactively in integrating AI. Hoping things will fall into place on their own will not work.
So, are you ready to take charge? Or will you be scrambling at the last minute? The clock is ticking. It's time to stop waiting and start leading!
Ta-ra, duck!
And on that note I will leave you to enjoy the rest of your weekend!