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Enhancing ESoL Learning through AI: A BCoT Initiative with HeyGen

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Case Study

Practitioners Panel

Scott Hayden

Head of Teaching, Learning and Digital, Basingstoke College of Technology

At Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT), there's a vision of a future where technology seamlessly merges with education to enrich every learner's experience. One such stride in this direction is their collaboration with the AI translation tool, HeyGen. Targeted primarily towards ESoL learners, this initiative underscores the potential of AI in bridging linguistic gaps, ensuring inclusivity and boosting educator efficiency.

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With a diverse group of ESoL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) students, BCoT recognized the challenges these learners face in adapting to a new academic environment. To alleviate this, Anthony Bravo, a spokesperson from BCoT, embarked on a journey with HeyGen, an AI translation tool, delivering welcoming messages in various languages such as Polish, Turkish, and Portuguese. This strategic move was not just about a simple welcome but a testament to BCoT's dedication to inclusivity and embracing diversity.

Furthermore, the embrace of AI wasn't limited to translation tools. BCoT's teaching staff integrated AI into their routines, employing tools like Google Bard, Teachermatic, and Canva to enhance their planning and resource creation processes. Surveys indicated a significant reduction in the time spent on these tasks, with educators saving up to 5.7 hours a week. The goal was clear: leverage AI to free up educators, allowing them to concentrate on nurturing the indispensable human skills in students.

By harnessing AI's power, BCoT not only showcases a forward-thinking approach but also sets a precedent for other educational institutions to follow, ensuring a more inclusive and efficient learning environment.

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The scenario in this case study is genuine and based upon real events and data, however its narration has been crafted by AI to uphold a standardised and clear format for readers.

Key Learning

The use of HeyGen demonstrated that AI could act as a bridge, connecting educators with ESoL learners, making them feel included and valued.

Tools like Google Bard and Canva highlight the potential of AI in enhancing educators' efficiency, granting them more time to focus on human-centric aspects of teaching.

Embracing AI shouldn't be a blind endeavor. It requires deliberate and skeptical integration, ensuring that staff and students are critical consumers in a post-AI world.

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Risks

While tools like HeyGen are innovative, translation isn't always precise. This demands a layer of human intervention to ensure the conveyed message is correct and culturally sensitive.

With the power of AI comes potential misuse. It's crucial to educate learners about the unethical or illegal replication of someone's likeness without consent.

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