Forum: Students guided to use AI purposefully for learning
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We agree with Avishi Gurnani that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education should be age-appropriate and fit-for-purpose to enhance learning ( Is it still learning if I use ChatGPT
The Ministry of Education (MOE) provides guidance and resources, and works with schools to effectively harness technology, including AI, to enhance learning. The guidance is grounded in learning sciences, ethics and sound pedagogy. For example, MOE’s AI-in-Education Ethics Framework guides teachers on the use of AI. There are also practical guides on the use of generative AI and professional learning to support teachers in using AI for teaching and learning.
Teachers use a range of teaching strategies, and may set rules on the use of AI to either encourage or deter its use based on the intended learning objectives. For example, if the focus is on developing students’ argumentative skills, teachers may allow students to use AI to generate ideas and build upon them to develop an essay. For tasks designed to assess independent mastery, students will need to complete work without AI assistance.
As highlighted by Avishi, with AI becoming increasingly prevalent, it is important for students to know what AI is, how to wield AI skilfully and acquire dispositions and skills that are beyond what AI can do.
In schools, students learn how to recognise AI applications in daily life, evaluate AI outputs critically and avoid overreliance on AI, which can impact their understanding of concepts and ability to develop higher order skills through structured learning tasks and programmes like Applied Learning Programme and Code for Fun.
AI-enabled tools with appropriate guard rails are also integrated in the Singapore Student Learning Space to allow students to benefit from the personalisation of learning offered by AI, while guarding against outsourcing of thinking processes to AI.
Strong partnership between schools and parents is key in helping students learn with technology confidently and effectively. MOE and schools will continue to partner parents in guiding their children to be safe, responsible users of technology.
Lee Lin Yee
Divisional Director, Educational Technology
Ministry of Education
