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The integration of Ai into irish primary schools is such an exciting prospect. It does though, come with some caveats. AI tools can help with planning, teaching, assessement and record keeping. It can be used to make teaching and learning much more efficient. I plan to introduce it into as many subjects as possible but especially literacy and numeracy. This course had provided so many ideas and has described so many tools that will be very helpful going forward. For example Microsoft Reading Coach can be used to provide feedback to teachers about their students. Using this feedback both the teacher and the learner can improve their learning. Tools such as Khan Academy can give students ownership of their learning. Other tools such as Scratch can engage younger learners in a very effective manner. AI tools can make learning much more engaging and efficient. AI tools can be used to identify gaps in learning and can help teachers improve their learning outcomes.
Lesson Title: Discovering Artificial Intelligence
Class Level: 6th Class
Subjects: SPHE, Digital Literacy, Oral LanguageLearning Goals:
· Pupils will gain a basic understanding of AI.
· Pupils will identify some everyday examples of AI.
· Pupils will reflect on the advantages and challenges of using AI.
Introduction (10 mins):
Start with a whole-class brainstorm. Ask the students who knows what AI is. Ask them what do they think of it? Is it useful? Do we use it ourselves at home? Ask them who uses Alexa? Guide pupils towards examples.Main Activity (20 mins):
Show a short, age-appropriate video introducing AI on YouTube. Ask the pupils to discuss in groups what they think AI is and ask them to present to the class what they have come up with.Conclusion (10 mins):
Hold a short class discussion on whether AI is something we should be afraid of. Summarise with a focus on using technology wisely and responsibly.Assessment:
Evaluate group posters, participation, and quality of contributions.I know so many children who love learning about the flags of the world so I think this lesson will be very sucessful.
Yes, I agree. The school’s AUP is very important and it needs to be up to date and adhered to by all stakeholders. All staff would need to be on board with this.
I would chat to the children about what computer programming in and then I would introduce Scratch. I would do this slowly allowing them to play with it themselves in groups of two students. First, I would show them a very simple Scratch project on the interactive whiteboard like making the sprite move across the screen. I would then show them how to make the character speak. Then as a class, we would explore the Scratch interface, focusing on the basic blocks: motion, looks, and sound. I would then guide the class through creating a short animation, like moving a sprite across the screen while saying a message. Once they are happy doing this I would then give them time to experiment in pairs. Pair work gives them confidence and allows them to teach each other. As they progress I would ask them to make more complicated projects moving on to individual tasks and projects. Children would be encouraged to work on scratch at home as well as in school.
Microsoft Reading Coach and Microsoft Search Coach
Both Microsoft Reading Coach and Microsoft Search Coach have lots of potential in the classroom to enhance teaching and learning as well as assessment in the classroom. Microsoft Reading Coach can support literacy development and improvement by providing individualised reading practice, immediate feedback on fluency as well as suggestions on improvement. This allows the students to work at their own pace. It helps teachers track their progress and suggests strategies. Microsoft Search Coach helps students develop their digital literacy and critical thinking stills by guiding them in evaluating online sources and forming effective search queries. This improves the students digital skills and helps them evaluate information in this digital age. These tools can also help teachers assess their students and track their students progress. These tools can help students not only gain confidence but also independence. There are a few issues to be considered though such as access to devices, digital literacy skills and ensuring safety online as well as the time students spend on devices.
I agree. So many children are so interested in Minecraft so I think by using this tool, you will have the engagement of many children. I’m very interested to learn more about the immersive reader tool in Word too and I do think this is something that will be very beneficial for children who have reading challenges.
AI has the potential to change the landscape of teaching and learning in Irish classrooms by facilitating the teachers to create personalised and engaging experiences for learners. For example, the AI platforms discussed in this module could provide adaptive practice across all the curricular subjects. Tools such as Minecraft can hone in on the interests of students allowing them to learn in a new and exciting way. The immersive tool in Word will be very helpful in my classroom going forward. AI can be used to assist with lesson planning, differentiation of resources and teaching strategies, creating assessments, analysing assessment data as well as focusing in new and exciting ways of learning for students. It is also important to be aware of the challenges also associated with AI. Concerns such as data security and privacy as well as the student’s personal security needs to be considered. The amount of time students spend on screens is also important to be considered. Thus, the role of the teacher is vital in classrooms and it is the teachers’ responsibility to foster creativity in their classrooms.
I agree. Many of us teachers have a fear that AI might reduce the creative stills in both the teachers and learners but I do feel that we all need to educate ourselves on it’s potential and use AI to improve the teaching and learning that takes place in classrooms.
AI tools have great potential to enhance teaching and learning globally. It can also be used for assessment, planning and for many other aspects of education. Whilst many of us may fear the use of AI, we all need to educate ourselves on its uses as well as it’s dangers. Ai can be used to speed up planning for teachers which includes differentiation for students on not only ability but on different methods of teaching and learning. When it comes to the learners, AI can help the learner improve engagement with the varying topics through the countless tools and apps that are available. AI can track progress and help students overcome various difficulties that could potentially impede their learning. It can improve access for students especially those with special educational needs or physical disabilities. AI is probably one of the most exciting advancements for education in recent years.
Working alongside the Tidy Towns is a great idea. It is always advantageous to give children first hard experience on the importance of our environment. Other groups such as Cuan Beo do very valuable work in the Galway area.
Sustainability in aquaculture is a key focus in the west of Ireland. In the bays around the west coast there are shellfish farms, especially mussels and oysters. These farms operate under strict environmental guidelines to ensure that there is a minimal impact to the ecology in the area. There are practices in place that ensure that there is a balance between different species e.g. shellfish and seaweed. These practices also improve the water quality.
To engage the pupils in my school I would begin by getting the children to research where seafood comes from and to see what aquaculture is in our area. A trip to one of the local oyster farms would give them practical knowledge of what the industry looks like in the area. Pupils could then take part in different projects – e.g. the First Lego League where the theme this year was ‘Submerged’. If this wasn’t an option, they could work in groups to conduct research on the impact of aquaculture in the area and maybe work on how to improve sustainability in the area.
Yes, I too like the idea you plan for a maths lesson. It is always important for children to be aware of portion sizes and for older children to be able to calculate nutritional values.
Seafood is packed with lots of nutrients which as essential for humans. Some of those include high-quality protein, essential fatty acids like omega-3s vitamins and minerals such as vitamin D, selenium and iodine. By teaching children about the nutritional benefits of seafood it helps them develop an understanding of the importance of healthy eating. It is also important that they learn about the importance of having a variety of food sources in their diet. Subjects such as SPHE, science and SESE are important for children to study as healthy eating can be included as part of these subjects.
Students should learn where seafood comes from and a link should be made with geography and aquaculture. Classroom activities should include learning about the food pyramid and should emphasise the importance of our local food sources and sustainability in our local environment.
Students should learn about the importance of shellfish in their diet. Many children could be slow to taste shellfish but by highlighting the importance of the nutritional value this may help them understand the value of a varied diet from local food sources.