If your child came home saying they’ve being ‘doing AI in class’, you’d be right to be more than a little curious. Feelings around AI vary spectacularly among adults, so the sudden revelation that your children have access to AI can be quite a terrifying prospect. Especially in the one place away from home where they are supposed to be kept safe!
The learning around AI that I believe should be happening in schools, focuses on the how, the why, the what and the when. I certainly don’t think pupils in primary should be given access to Large Language Models like Chat GTP in the classroom, nor should they be able to experiment on any AI tool because it looks ‘fun’ or educational.
First and foremost, children should learn what AI is, what it isn’t, what it does and how it does it, then when it should be used or not used, safely, responsibly, ethically; to enhance thinking, not replace it.
Whatever you are teaching in your school around AI, it’s imperative that we keep parents in the loop. Inform them of exactly what your stance is as a school, what you’re teaching them in the classroom and what they’ll have access to on school devices. Tell them how they can help at home, model to them the attitude and approach we should have as adults, even when talking about AI at home.
This is why I’ve drafted a template letter to parents and included it in the free download pack for my Artificial Intelligence unit of 5 lessons. Please have a read, then adapt and amend as you see fit. Let’s engage our parents on the journey into the tricky world of AI and get them on side to support our children at home as well as at school.
Please do get in touch if you’re interested in putting on a parent workshop for all things AI related!
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