Creating Value In Schools
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Training and support for staff on using artificial intelligence (AI) safely and effectively is now easier, with free tools and training available from the DfE. Four modules take you through:
The training includes worked examples of classroom and administrative uses of AI tools.
With AI changing the way we live and work, it’s vital that school staff have an understanding of what AI does, the risks and challenges it poses, and how to support pupils to use it safely and effectively.
These free training materials for staff in schools and colleges have been developed with Chiltern Learning Trust and the Chartered College Of Teaching. Their aim is to support the safe and effective use of generative AI in education.
The DfE’s resource suite Using technology in education has also been updated to incorporate all the AI resources, such as product safety expectations and findings from user research.
For more links, resources and background, see these previous Need to Knows:
Each module contains a downloadable PowerPoint presentation, which includes:
The learning is accompanied by a series of videos, several for each module, to talk through key areas. Transcripts are also available. The videos are of varying length. Each module could take between 45-90 minutes to complete fully.
There are four training modules available for staff.
Module 1: Understanding AI in education
This module focuses on:
Module 2: Interacting with generative AI in education
This explores:
Module 3: Safe use of generative AI in education
This is the module that everyone needs to study! It looks at:
Module 4: Use cases of generative AI in education
This takes you into the practicalities of using AI for different purposes, exploring:
It gives worked examples of using AI prompts to create materials and activities for lessons, so is very useful for teachers.
It also gives worked examples of how AI can assist in administrative tasks, such as letter writing, policy development and trip planning.
Always remember that it’s the staff member’s end responsibility to check any AI outputs, make sure they are appropriate and accurate, and fit for purpose. As reiterated on slide 30:
The quality and content of any final documents remains the responsibility of the professional who produced it and the organisation they belong to, regardless of the tools or resources used.
This can be supported by the FACTS framework, which offers a structured approach to prompting by emphasising clarity, accuracy and contextual relevance (see slide 33).
There's also an action planning template to support staff in trying out AI tools (see slide 38).
There’s a specific module for school and college leaders. This looks at:
The audit tool, embedded within 10 slides of the PowerPoint, is particularly useful.
