Episode sponsors

This episode of the Mr Barton Maths podcast is proudly supported by the LUMEN maths curriculum. You can access their free maths resources here: lboro.ac.uk/services/lumen/curriculum

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Episode details

I hope this will be the first of a series of episodes investigating AI’s role in education. Specifically, I am interested in how AI can save teachers time, help them do their jobs better, or ideally both. I am also interested in the role AI may play in the future in acting as an intelligent 1-to-1 tutor for our students.

Having been incredibly sceptical about the potential for AI to impact teaching in a meaningful way, I have become a passionate AI dabbler over the last few months and – as you may have read in my Eedi newsletter – have become increasingly impressed at how it can support some of the work I do.

But I am a mere ameutur. I need an expert to learn from and bounce ideas off. So, I have called in the best of the best. Neil Almond is an experienced primary school teacher, leader and teacher trainer. He is the author of the incredible – and free – Teacher Prompts newsletter, which serves up a weekly dose of AI goodness in your inboxes each week

If you haven’t already, please sign up for Neil’s newsletter – link in the show notes. If you are vaguely interested in AI, you will find it fascinating.

So, in this first conversation, we cover the basics of what exactly AI is, cover some of Neil’s use cases for the likes of ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and NotebookLM, and then Neil reins me back in when I get a bit carried away about where education might be heading. 

Episode summary

In this episode of the Mr Barton Maths podcast, Craig Barton welcomes Neil Almond, a primary school teacher and educator, to discuss his journey in education, the challenges faced by new teachers, and the impact of AI on the teaching profession. Neil shares his experiences, including his favorite failure during his NQT year, and reflects on the importance of effective teaching practices. The conversation delves into the mechanisms of AI, its strengths and limitations, and the differences between various AI models, providing insights into how technology can enhance education. In this conversation, Neil Almond discusses the evolving features of AI tools, particularly in the context of education. He emphasizes the importance of practical use cases for AI, such as generating examples for teaching and enhancing lesson planning. The discussion also delves into the art of crafting effective prompts for AI, highlighting the need for clarity and specificity. Neil shares insights on refining prompts for better outputs and the role of AI in teacher training, advocating for a balance between leveraging technology and maintaining pedagogical integrity. In this conversation, Neil Almond and Craig Barton explore the transformative impact of AI and educational technology on teaching and learning. They discuss the evolution of educational tools, the innovative Claude Artifacts, and the potential of intelligent tutoring systems. The dialogue emphasizes the importance of effective resource creation, the challenges of integrating AI in classrooms, and the ongoing need for skilled teachers in the educational landscape. In this conversation, Neil Almond and Craig Barton explore the intersection of AI and education, discussing the role of teachers, the potential of intelligent tutoring systems, and the ethical implications of technology in learning. They delve into Neil Postman’s principles regarding technology, emphasizing the trade-offs and inequities that may arise with AI integration in education. The discussion highlights the importance of maintaining pedagogical integrity while navigating the evolving landscape of educational technology.

Takeaways:

• Neil Almond shares his journey from primary school teacher to educator.
• The importance of effective teaching practices for new teachers.
• AI is set to significantly impact the education profession.
• Counting is a major limitation for AI models.
• Different AI models have unique strengths and weaknesses.
• Generative AI can assist in creating educational content.
• Teachers need to understand AI’s capabilities and limitations.
• AI can enhance classroom management and learning experiences.
• The evolution of AI models reflects advancements in technology.
• AI’s integration into education requires careful consideration. AI tools are designed to generate outputs that can assist in educational settings.
• Teachers can use AI to create unlimited examples for lessons, enhancing their teaching effectiveness.
• Different AI models serve different purposes; choosing the right one is crucial for specific tasks.
• Crafting effective prompts is essential for obtaining quality outputs from AI.
• Clear and specific prompts lead to better responses from AI models.
• Teachers should be cautious about relying solely on AI for lesson planning.
• Refining prompts can improve the quality of AI-generated content.
• AI can be a valuable tool in teacher training, but it should not replace foundational teaching skills.
• Using AI as a process aid rather than just a product generator is more beneficial for teachers.
• The integration of AI in education raises ethical considerations regarding teacher training and lesson planning. Closed tools can guide users but limit flexibility.
• AI tools tailored to specific curricula enhance relevance.
• Effective diagrams are crucial for teaching complex subjects.
• Claude Artifacts can create engaging educational resources quickly.
• AI can assist in resource creation, saving teachers time.
• Personalized learning through AI can address diverse student needs.
• Teachers must define parameters for effective AI use.
• AI’s role in education is still evolving and requires caution.
• Motivation is key for student engagement with AI tools.
• The future of education may blend AI with traditional teaching methods. Understanding student interests is crucial for engagement.
• Teachers play a vital role in integrating AI into education.
• Centralized lesson planning can enhance teaching effectiveness.
• Intelligent tutoring systems may personalize learning experiences.
• AI has limitations, especially in early education.
• Unintended consequences of technology must be considered.
• Ethical considerations are essential in AI applications.
• Neil Postman’s principles provide a framework for evaluating technology.
• Trade-offs of technology can impact educational outcomes.
• Access to AI tools may exacerbate existing inequities..

Video

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