Don't forget who is actually responsible for the use of AI in schools.

I remember in my undergraduate degree looking briefly at the interaction between policy, research and practice. Practice was meant to follow what policies and research was available (often called "evidence"). Teachers were responsible for implementing policies and practices that had been vetted by others, until such time as they were experienced enough to begin being playful with pedagogy.

So it used to be research was done, policy was developed, and practices flowed from this and then back into the research phase.

AI has highlighted the shifting dynamic between practice, research and policy so much so that in many cases come the old world order has shifted:?

1. Practice - we’re seeing a reality be generated by us and around us, with students and teachers and families and others building new ways of doing and being without needing permission from anyone. Even if AI is excluded at a school level (as much as it can be) it’s like banning air. Therefore,

2. Research - must logically follow practice as the scale, speed and interest by “participants” is far outstripping researchers ability to observe, analyse and report. On top of this, the research is always at least one league away of responsibility. Teachers & schools are directly and immediately responsible for students, not researchers. Therefore,

3. Policy - that purports to be based on research and evidence must follow #2, which itself must follow #1.?

I guess I’m trying to establish in my mind the zones of responsibility and leadership in this area. My contention would be that in this space those who should have the most say over what goes on in schools is with AI actually students and teachers and parents who are in the drivers seat. No one knows where we’re going, and we are building the car as we drive it, but it is those in schools who have the responsibility if we crash, no one else.?

Many people outside of schools have power, many have authority (sometimes competing levels and types of authority, which keeps things interesting), many have influence and so very many have opinions, but only those with a legal responsibility over students in their care will feel any kind of blowback if things go wrong - either in a moment, or over time. Everyone else will take a step back.

Therefore, when we debate about what is to be done in schools, let's listen to those in schools who are forging ahead, grappling, struggling, pioneering, and deploying the strategy and tactics with students' best interests in mind at all times.

We're actually quite good at it.