Research project, 'AI in Education'
In March, PLC Sydney initiated a major research project on generative AI in schools. Led by Dr Suzana Sukovic, Director of Research and Publication, the project is the brainchild of Dr Paul Burgis, the College Principal, who believes that the school’s decisions should be guided by a good understanding of complex issues.
Research to gain a deep understanding of the current issues and inform future decisions
“What can you do?”, a young student asked ChatGPT4 at the recent College Fair and Open Day. Soon after, the student was creating football-related images, including a fashionable persona of a mosquito gamegoer. Typing a request - from “write an essay on federation” to “make me an image of purple pasta” - comes easily and naturally to students. However, understanding the implications of this engagement for students’ learning, and what they can and should do with the help of AI tools is a much more complex question. As it happened, ChatGPT4 was upgraded to ChatGPT4o in the next few days reminding us how quickly this technology changes (and probably dates this article).
In response to the complexity of this change and its long-lasting implications for education, the College is undertaking a comprehensive research project to gain a deep understanding of the current issues and inform future decisions. In March, PLC Sydney initiated a major research project on generative AI in schools. The project is the brainchild of Dr Paul Burgis, the College Principal, who believes that the school’s decisions should be guided by a good understanding of complex issues.
The project aim is to conduct an environmental scan of the current and anticipated impact of generative AI on education. The research question focuses on the opportunities and challenges that arise from generative AI in primary and secondary education, particularly within the context of PLC Sydney and similar schools. The overall question about the impact of AI in education concerns three areas of investigation:
The project involves discussions with experts, school visits, conference attendance, and a literature review. The findings of this year-long project will inform strategic and practical decisions, and help the College in keeping abreast of the developments related to AI in education.
Dr Suzana Sukovic
The project aim is to conduct an environmental scan of the current and anticipated impact of generative AI on education. The research question focuses on the opportunities and challenges that arise from generative AI in primary and secondary education, particularly within the context of PLC Sydney and similar schools. The overall question about the impact of AI in education concerns three areas of investigation:
- AI in society
- AI in schools
- AI for teaching, learning and wellbeing.
The project involves discussions with experts, school visits, conference attendance, and a literature review. The findings of this year-long project will inform strategic and practical decisions, and help the College in keeping abreast of the developments related to AI in education. The key people involved in this project are Dr Paul Burgis, Dr Sarah Golsby-Smith, Head of Learning and Teaching, and Dr Suzana Sukovic, Director of Research and Publication, as the principal investigator.
The whole school is also involved in conversations about AI. While we are researching the current state of AI in education and potential future developments, our faculties have the discretion to decide on the best use of AI in their respective subject areas - from no use at all to guided and regulated use in some subject areas. Technological and Applied Studies (TAS) and Entrepreneurship in particular guide students in incorporating AI into their practical work.
