In our work at the Raspberry Pi Computing Education Research Centre we aim to work closely with teachers on work that has resonance and relevance. Today we are announcing a new project, AI for Computing Teachers (AICT), being delivered together with the Faculty of Education. This research project aims to investigate ways in which schools and teachers harness the power of Large Language Models (LLMs) within computing education.
The impact of LLMs in education
Recent advancements in large language models (LLMs) have opened up possibilities for transformative changes in education. These developments challenge established ideas regarding the way young people are educated, such as the nature of both high-stakes and formative assessment.
LLMs such as ChatGPT are becoming more widely available for use in schools by teachers, students, and academics. While many educators appreciate the potential benefits of LLMs for enhancing learning, there are also significant concerns about authorship, authenticity, plagiarism, ethics, biases, privacy, and the broader implications of their use in education. Unfortunately, the emerging field lacks a comprehensive framework for implementing and regulating the use of LLM applications in school education.
Using participatory research to develop guidelines
To address these challenges and develop a framework for the responsible use of LLMs in schools, we are setting up a working group. This group will primarily consist of dedicated computing teachers who are passionate about shaping the future of education.
The working group will meet on three occasions in the coming months, starting with a twilight face-to-face meeting on 7th December, followed by two online meetings in January and March. We also plan to conduct follow-up interviews with some of the participating teachers to gather a diverse range of perspectives and experiences. Funding will be available for teachers in the working group to allow them time off from school to participate.
Sign up to express your interest
If you’re interested in taking part in this project and joining the AICT working group then
- Read the full information about the project
- Sign up to express your interest. This will involve detailing the contribution you might make and anything you may have been working on or reflecting on in your school context.