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Part 1:
The school I work in is a Microsoft affiliated school where every staff member and student have full access to all applications in the Microsoft 365 suite. In the year ahead, I plan to incorporate AI into my teaching practices using this Microsoft suite of apps that is readily available to me.
Using Copilot with Word and Excel will help me streamline lesson planning by generating content ideas, crafting documents, and analysing student data to tailor my lesson delivery. With Microsoft Forms, I can create AI-powered quizzes and surveys that provide instant feedback, helping me assess student understanding and adjust my teaching accordingly.
In PowerPoint, I’ll use AI features like Designer to create visually engaging presentations that capture students’ attention. Additionally, Teams will support collaborative learning by enabling students to work together in virtual groups, with AI tools helping manage assignments and track progress. OneNote will be an essential tool for organizing lesson plans, where I can use AI to suggest resources and materials based on my notes.
These tools will allow me to integrate AI seamlessly into my classroom, enhancing both teaching and learning experiences. At the moment these tools are being vastly under utilised in our school so I will endeavour to be a pioneer and guide my fellow staff members in their own AI journey of exploration.
Part 2:
Lesson Title: An Introduction to AI
Class: 4th Class
Subject: Digital Literacy / Cross-curricular (STEM Focus)
Duration: 1 Hour
Objectives:
· Understand the basic concept of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
· Identify real-world examples of AI.
· Engage with AI tools to create and complete a digital quiz.AI Tools Utilised During Lesson:
· Microsoft Copilot
· Microsoft FormsOther Resources Required:
· Interactive Whiteboard
· Digital Technology Devices (e.g., tablets, laptops)
· Internet accessLesson Outline:
Introduction (10 minutes):
Objective: Introduce students to the concept of AI.
Activity: Begin with a brief explanation of what AI is, using simple language and examples students can relate to (e.g., virtual assistants like Siri or Alexa). Show a short, age-appropriate video explaining AI.
Discussion (15 minutes):
Objective: Discuss AI’s presence in everyday life.
Activity: Lead a classroom discussion on where students have encountered AI. Examples could include online recommendations (e.g., YouTube), video games, or even spell-checkers. Encourage students to think critically about how AI makes these tools work.
Hands-on Activity (25 minutes):
Objective: Engage students with AI through a practical exercise.
Activity: Demonstrate how to use Microsoft Copilot to generate a 20-question multiple-choice quiz based on the day’s lesson.
Upload the quiz to Microsoft Forms.
Provide students with a QR code on the interactive whiteboard.
Students will use their digital devices to scan the QR code and complete the quiz in real-time.
Conclusion (10 minutes):Objective: Review what was learned and reinforce key concepts.
Activity: Go over the quiz results as a class, discussing the correct answers and why AI might have been useful in creating the quiz. Ask students to reflect on what they found most interesting about AI.
Assessment:
Method: The assessment will involve the multiple-choice quiz created using Microsoft Copilot and uploaded to Microsoft Forms. Students will complete the quiz on their digital devices by scanning a QR code from the interactive whiteboard. The results will be reviewed to assess understanding and engagement.
This lesson plan should provide a structured yet engaging way to introduce 4th class students to the concept of AI, using Microsoft tools to enhance their learning experience.
The AI tool I would like to introduce to my 4th class in the year ahead is the Scratch coding platform. To do this I would first use Code.org as a foundational tool to introduce the concept of coding in a clear, concise manner using the excellent free courses they have to offer for primary school aged children.
I will begin with Code.org because it offers an intuitive, step-by-step introduction to basic coding concepts. The platform’s block-based coding system is similar to Scratch but more guided, making it perfect for beginners. We’ll start with simple lessons on Code.org, where students can learn essential coding principles like sequencing, loops, and conditionals through engaging and age-appropriate activities. The immediate feedback provided by Code.org will help build their confidence as they see their code in action.
Once my students are comfortable with these basic concepts, I will transition them to Scratch. I’ll explain that Scratch builds on what they’ve already learned but allows for even more creativity and complexity. To make the transition smooth, I’ll first guide them through recreating simple projects in Scratch that they completed on Code.org, showing how the same principles apply in a new environment.
After this, I’ll encourage students to explore Scratch more freely, creating their own animations, stories, and games. We’ll work on projects that allow them to apply their coding knowledge in creative ways, reinforcing what they’ve learned and introducing them to more advanced features of Scratch.
Using Code.org as a precursor will ensure that my students have a solid understanding of coding basics before diving into the more open-ended world of Scratch, setting them up for success and a deeper understanding of computational thinking.
Part 1.
The two AI tools I would be interested in trying out to enhance teaching, learning, and assessment in my 4th class would be Diffit and Magic School.
Diffit will allow me to create personalised reading materials, homework, and quizzes that cater to my students’ varying abilities. This would allow me to challenge advanced students while supporting those who need extra help, ensuring everyone is engaged at their level.
Magic School offers interactive tools that can make lessons more dynamic and engaging. I could use educational games, simulations, and collaborative projects to bring subjects like science and history to life. This would help students better understand and retain concepts through hands-on learning.
For assessment, Diffit would allow me to create differentiated tests and provide detailed feedback, helping me track progress and adjust my teaching strategies. Magic School also enables me to incorporate interactive elements into assessments, like digital projects, which allow students to showcase their understanding creatively.
These tools are especially helpful for supporting students with special educational needs, offering adapted content and engaging methods that suit different learning styles. By using Diffit and Magic School, I can create a more inclusive, engaging, and effective learning environment while also streamlining my planning and assessment processes.
Part 2:
As mentioned in part 1, Diffit is an excellent AI tool I can use to enhance personalised learning in my classroom. Diffit will allow me to create tailored reading materials, assignments, and assessments that match each student’s abilities. This will ensure that every student is appropriately challenged and supported, making differentiation more effective and manageable.
I can also use Magic School to make my lessons more engaging and interactive. With its range of tools, including games, simulations, and collaborative projects, I’ll be able to design lessons that bring subjects to life. This hands-on approach will help my students deepen their understanding and stay motivated to learn.
I am also very impressed with what I have read and seen in relation to the Microsoft accelerator tools. I had not previously heard of these prior to doing this course but could use them in the following ways:
Reading Coach can play a key role in developing my students’ literacy skills. By providing individualised reading support, it can help each student improve at their own pace. Reading Coach can identify areas where students need extra practice and offer targeted exercises, fostering their independent learning and confidence.
Search Coach is a great tool for teaching students how to research effectively. It can guide them in developing critical thinking and digital literacy skills, which are crucial for the remainder of their educational journey. With Search Coach, my students can learn how to find, evaluate, and use information efficiently.
Speaker Coach could be used to enhance my students’ oral communication skills. I can use it to provide real-time feedback during presentations, helping students improve their clarity, confidence, and delivery. It can also be used as an assessment tool, offering a new way to evaluate students’ speaking skills.
By integrating these AI tools into my teaching, I will create a more personalised, engaging, and effective learning while also being able to use them as real time assessment tools to gauge individual learning experiences.
AI has the potential to significantly transform my classroom by increasing efficiency, personalising learning, and supporting students with diverse needs. I’ve already used ChatGPT extensively for lesson planning and other activities, which has greatly streamlined my planning and preparation for each school day. While it sometimes requires a bit of thought to get the prompts right, I’ve found it incredibly useful in overcoming writer’s block and generating ideas. I’ve even introduced ChatGPT to my sixth-class students, showing them how to use it as a study tool, which they found incredibly beneficial for enhancing their learning experience.
Beyond lesson planning, I’ve utilized AI tools like Microsoft Forms, Plickers, and Playfactile to create personalised content tailored to my class. These tools have allowed me to engage students more effectively by offering customized learning experiences that meet their individual needs. For example, I’ve used these tools to create assessments that are automatically graded, saving time and providing immediate feedback to both me and my students.
I’m also excited about the potential of tools like Immersive Reader, which can support students with reading difficulties by offering features like background colour adjustments and text-to-speech. This tool could be especially valuable for students with dyslexia or those learning English as an additional language, helping them to access content more independently and boosting their confidence in subjects where reading is a barrier.
However, I recognise there are challenges in implementing AI in the classroom. Concerns around data privacy and ensuring that AI is used appropriately are significant. For instance, when using AI to personalise learning, it’s crucial to have parental consent and clear policies on data collection and usage. Additionally, while AI tools can greatly enhance learning, they shouldn’t replace traditional teaching methods, especially for students who need structured, scientifically-based interventions, like those with dyslexia.
Finally, there’s the practical challenge of ensuring all students are comfortable and competent with these tools. Access to IT equipment can be an issue, but with our school’s effective system for sharing resources, I’m optimistic about making AI a regular part of my teaching. With continued practice and professional development, I believe AI can be seamlessly integrated into the classroom to benefit both teachers and students.
AI tools, and in particular Generative AI tools, can greatly change how we teach, learn, and assess in education. For teachers, AI can help create lessons tailored to each student, handle routine tasks, and assist in making educational content, allowing more time for direct interaction with students. For students, AI can be used to adjust to their learning pace, give instant feedback, and track their progress, making learning more personalised and accessible.
In assessment, AI can automate grading, provide ongoing feedback, and assess a wide range of skills, not just academic knowledge. It can also be used to predict which students might need extra help, allowing for early intervention.
While AI brings many benefits like efficiency and personalisation, it also has challenges, such as concerns over data privacy and relying too much on technology. In the future, teachers may become more like guides, helping students navigate personalised learning paths, with AI supporting a broader understanding of student abilities.
The key to using AI effectively in education is to ensure it complements, rather than replaces, the essential human aspects of teaching and learning.
