I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough; we must do.

We shouldn't have blanket bans on technology tools. AI is integral to our daily lives and work, and denying students access may limit their future options. Students need to be digitally literate to thrive and navigate the modern world. Banning technology in school might widen the digital divide. Also, the idea of "banning AI" shows a misunderstanding of what AI is—it's an underlying technology present in millions of websites and likely to be integrated into every website in the future.

Generative AI can be helpful in creating a first draft, but it's important to remember that AI-generated lesson plans may not be tailored to specific student needs, school-wide strategies, or contain accurate information. Therefore, human input is crucial in the process.

According to an analysis of data from the Schools and Staffing Survey, principals of regular public schools spent more than half their time (31% or more) on internal administrative tasks and tasks related to curriculum and teaching in 2011/12.

Education Leaders using AI can streamline the teacher recruitment process by generating:

• Interview questions: These questions can be tailored to align with the school's mission, vision, and values.
• Candidate assessment rubrics: AI can help create rubrics based on the specific success criteria defined by the school.
• Letters to candidates: This includes letters to invite candidates to interviews, provide guidance on interview preparation, and communicate decisions (both successful and unsuccessful) after the interview process.

AI can help foster stronger family engagement by:

• Creating a calendar of culturally relevant events: AI can brainstorm a year-long calendar that celebrates the local culture and promotes a sense of belonging within the school community.
• Developing family surveys: AI can generate surveys to better understand the school community's needs and desires.
• Drafting welcoming communications: This includes crafting newsletters to share information about school events and the curriculum and developing welcoming messages for new families.
• Facilitating curriculum engagement at home: AI can create resources like choice boards that provide families with ways to engage with their child's learning at home. 

These resources can include discussion prompts, at-home experiments, and suggestions for connecting learning to the local community.

• Strategic Time Allocation: AI automates scheduling and report generation tasks, allowing leaders to focus on strategic planning and relationship building.
• Data-Driven Insights: AI analyses student data to reveal trends, aiding in evidence-based decision-making and personalised professional development.
• Enhanced Communication: AI's role in improving communication and collaboration through tailored reports, newsletters, and interactive platforms is pivotal in fostering a stronger, more inclusive school community.

AI can assist in 

• Identifying specific areas where teachers need improvement and suggest personalised training programs. I
• It can analyse teaching performance and student outcomes to recommend changes in pedagogy or learning approach
• It can help crate targeted professional development opportunities, ensuring each teacher receives support tailored to their needs.

AI enables school leaders to 

• Analyse large datasets, such as student performance and attendance, to identify trends and patterns. 
• These insights help make informed decisions about curriculum adjustments, resource allocation, and intervention strategies, ultimately improving overall school performance.

• Being aware is where the change starts. 
• Organise a workshop for your school leader to discover AI
• Reach out to us to help you organise the 'Small steps' you have in mind.