In a Year 5 classroom, the teacher has innovatively integrated an AI tool, the co-pilot image creator, into English lessons. This application allows students to bring their written descriptions to life by generating images based on their prompts. The class recently focused on character descriptions from the comic "Hilda and the Troll." A notable success story involves a SEND student who initially was disappointed with the image produced from his description. After a constructive discussion on how to refine his description for clarity, the student revised his work to vividly depict a scene set in the Blue Pine Forest. The resulting image generated by the AI tool exceeded his expectations, igniting a passion for writing and creativity.
The teacher ensures a safe and inclusive environment by having students verbally share their ideas, which are then input into the AI tool by the teacher and displayed for the class. This approach not only adheres to consent and data protection standards but also fosters a collaborative learning atmosphere. The use of AI in this setting has been a catalyst for engagement, particularly for those who previously found writing challenging, and has significantly increased interest in English and creative writing among the students.
Teacher report:
"I have been using AI in my class regularly with my year 5 class. We talk about it regularly, but we love to use the co-pilot image creator.
Recently, we have been using it to write character descriptions from the comic Hilda and the Troll. One child from my class, who is a SEND student, put his setting description in (I entered it into my laptop) and he was disappointed with the results that came out. He said that he imagined being in the centre of forest and the sun shining down. Unfortunately, I don’t have the initial draft, but we discussed what he needed to edit for the reader to see what he wanted us to see.
He changed it to this:
"Standing in the middle of the Blue Pine Forest, it is the habitat of mother nature. The trees stand tall as the wind whistles through the leaves. As nature increases, joy is spread. The sun was shining to leave a hint of blue".
We put this into co-pilot, and this is the image that it created (See above).
He was so excited when this image popped up that it encouraged him to write more. A child previously who did not really enjoy writing.
The use of the image creator has motivated students to write, and they are always asking if we can play with AI. English and writing are vastly becoming my pupils favourite subject which I have not said once since I have begun teaching".
The scenario in this case study is genuine and based upon real events and data, however its narration (other than the teacher report) has been crafted by AI to uphold a standardised and clear format for readers.
Key Learning
The case highlights the power of AI in education to inspire creativity and engagement among students. Key learnings include the importance of integrating technology in a manner that supports inclusivity and student agency, the role of teacher facilitation in leveraging AI tools for educational benefits, and the potential of AI to transform traditionally challenging subjects into areas of interest and excitement for students.
Risks
While the use of AI in the classroom offers numerous educational benefits, it is not without risks. These include potential issues related to data privacy and security, the need for careful management of student expectations around AI-generated content, and ensuring equitable access to technology for all students. Additionally, reliance on AI for educational activities must be balanced with traditional teaching methods to cultivate a broad range of skills and competencies.
