Yesterday a new report was published by the UNESCO: AI competency framework for teachers. As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to be the hype and maybe even reshape the world, the discussion about the role of AI in education seems to become more urgent than ever. Through this “AI Competency Framework for Teachers” (AI CFT), UNESCO wants to provide educators with the essential skills, knowledge, and ethical principles needed to effectively integrate AI into teaching, learning, and professional development. According to the UN organisation, this blog post will explore how teachers can benefit from AI and enhance their AI competencies.

The AI CFT is designed to help teachers incorporate AI into their professional practice in an effective and ethical manner. The framework outlines five key aspects of AI competencies:

1. Human-Centred Mindset: Ensures that AI is used to benefit both teachers and students, placing a strong emphasis on human rights, agency, and accountability.
2. Ethics of AI: This aspect guides teachers in understanding and applying ethical principles related to AI, such as data privacy, inclusivity, and fairness.
3. AI Foundations and Applications: Provides foundational knowledge of AI technologies, helping educators evaluate and implement AI tools.
4. AI Pedagogy: Helps teachers integrate AI tools into lesson planning and teaching strategies to enhance learning.
5. AI for Professional Development: Encourages teachers to use AI tools for continuous professional growth and collaboration.

Each aspect emphasizes different competencies, ensuring teachers can develop a well-rounded understanding of AI’s role in education. These competencies are divided into three progression levels (Acquire, Deepen, and Create) to cater to educators at different stages of their AI journey.

The idea is that AI can offer transformative potential in education, not only for enhancing learning outcomes but also for supporting teachers’ administrative and pedagogical tasks. Here are some key ways AI can benefit educators:

1. Personalized Learning: AI can analyze student data to tailor learning experiences based on individual needs. Teachers can use AI to identify students’ strengths and weaknesses and adjust lesson plans accordingly. (although we need to warn our readers that this has been a long-held dream of which we don’t know if it is something we really want and that is really beneficial for everything we do and want to achieve in education)
2. Efficiency in Administrative Tasks: AI-powered tools can automate repetitive tasks, such as grading and scheduling, allowing teachers to focus more on instruction and student interaction. (although, again a personal note: if you end up in a situation that can be summarized as ‘computer says no’, we are in conflict with the first aspect mentioned above)/
3. Data-Driven Insights: By leveraging AI’s data analytics capabilities, teachers can gain insights into student progress, engagement, and learning trends, helping them make informed decisions about their teaching methods. (guess what again, a warning: it depends also on how good the data is and how reliable the AI)
4. Supporting Special Needs: AI has proven to be a valuable tool for supporting students with special educational needs. Assistive AI technologies can help these students engage more effectively with their learning environments. (This is not a warning this time; this seems to be a recent trend in thinking about AI, but I already saw impressive things done by Microsoft in this field over six years ago with a PowerPoint for blind people.)

However, teachers must develop the necessary skills to use AI responsibly and effectively to fully harness these benefits. As you may have noted, I have already added some.

As AI becomes more integrated into the classroom, ethical considerations must remain at the forefront of its implementation. Teachers must be aware of the potential risks associated with AI, such as:

• Data Privacy: AI systems collect and analyze vast amounts of data. Teachers must understand how to protect student data and ensure it is used responsibly.
• Bias and Inclusivity: AI systems are only as unbiased as the data on which they are trained (hence the importance of the data quality, although I yesterday saw an expert discuss how it can even be worse than we thought; check this recent article). Teachers must ensure that AI tools do not perpetuate biases or create new inequalities in the classroom.

The AI CFT emphasizes that the use of AI in education should align with principles of inclusivity, human agency, and cultural diversity . Educators must remain vigilant in ensuring that AI tools are used ethically, with a clear understanding of their societal implications.

To effectively integrate AI into their teaching practices, teachers should focus on the following steps:

1. Acquire Basic AI Knowledge: Start by gaining a foundational understanding of AI technologies. Familiarize yourself with the basic concepts, such as machine learning and algorithms, and explore how AI is currently used in education. Many online courses, including MOOCs, provide excellent resources for learning about AI.
2. Experiment with AI Tools: Begin experimenting with AI tools in your classroom. For example, AI-powered grading tools can help with assessment, while adaptive learning platforms can tailor lessons to individual students’ needs.
3. Join Professional Learning Communities: Collaborating with fellow educators through AI-focused communities of practice can be highly beneficial. Sharing experiences, challenges, and strategies with peers can help deepen your understanding and application of AI.
4. Engage in Continuous Professional Development: The AI CFT stresses the importance of lifelong learning in AI. Keep up-to-date with the latest AI developments, and seek out opportunities for professional development. Many AI tools can also help you assess your learning needs and track your progress.

The report’s authors assume that AI’s role in education will likely grow in the coming years. As new technologies emerge, teachers must be prepared to adapt their practices and embrace innovative approaches to teaching and learning.