Sense Education looks at the role of AI in supporting our SEND learners in Cumbria…
What role could and should AI play in supporting SEND learners in Cumbria?
Artificial intelligence (AI) has burst onto the business scene in Cumbria, and it looks like it is here to stay. The city of Whitehaven has been leading the way since 2022, when the RAICo1 Robotics Collaboration Hub’ opened. Have you spotted it, high on the headland of the harbour?
The hub is currently being used by Sellafield Ltd, partners and academic bodies to develop future technologies to support the decommissioning of Sellafield and other similar sites. This is fantastic for the community of Whitehaven, as it is providing the people who live there with opportunities to develop their skills.
Teachers are essential to education; they will never be replaced by AI. And, the UK Government believes that AI has the potential to have a positive impact on our education system. There could be ways in which AI can serve teachers by saving them admin time, which will allow them to spend more time with the pupils themselves.
Recently, they organised a two day ‘hackathon’ where teachers and school leaders from all over the UK worked with data scientists to experiment with ideas on how to solve real life challenges, like teacher workload. The results will be published in 2025 and we can’t wait to see them!
How can AI support SEND learners?
Much more research is needed to understand how AI can help SEND pupils to learn. Any AI tools that are developed and approved to support pupils would need to prioritise their safety and security to ensure that they were not exposed to any harmful content and that their personal data was protected. There is also a healthy concern that AI could be used to cheat which is why it is so important to understand AI before implementing it in an education setting.
What does ChatGPT say about AI and SEND learners in Cumbria?
Out of curiosity, we typed into ChatGPT “How can AI help SEND teachers in Cumbria?” Here’s what the (biased?) bot had to say:
AI can offer several ways to support Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) teachers in Cumbria:
1. Personalised Learning Plans: AI algorithms can analyse individual student’s learning patterns, strengths, and weaknesses to generate personalised learning plans. This can help SEND teachers tailor their teaching strategies to better meet the needs of each student.
2. Early Detection of Learning Disabilities: AI-powered assessment tools can help identify learning disabilities and developmental delays at an early stage. This allows SEND teachers to intervene promptly and provide appropriate support to students.
3. Adaptive Learning Platforms: AI-driven adaptive learning platforms can provide customised learning experiences for students with SEND. These platforms adjust the difficulty level and pace of instruction based on each student’s progress and learning style.
4. Data Analysis and Insights: AI can analyse large datasets related to student performance, behaviour, and interventions to identify trends and patterns. This information can help SEND teachers make informed decisions about instructional strategies and support services.
5. Natural Language Processing (NLP) for Communication: NLP algorithms can assist SEND teachers in understanding and interpreting student’s communication patterns, especially for those with speech and language difficulties. NLP can also be used to develop communication aids and assistive technologies.
6. Virtual Assistants for Administrative Tasks: AI-powered virtual assistants can help SEND teachers manage administrative tasks such as scheduling appointments, organising resources, and communicating with parents and other stakeholders. This frees up more time for teachers to focus on direct instruction and student support.
7. Professional Development and Training: AI can support professional development for SEND teachers by recommending relevant resources, online courses, and best practices based on their individual needs and interests.
8. Behavioural Analysis and Intervention: AI can analyse behavioural data to identify triggers and patterns related to challenging behaviours in students with SEND. This information can help teachers develop targeted intervention strategies and support plans.
By leveraging AI technologies in these ways, SEND teachers in Cumbria can enhance their ability to provide personalised support and improve outcomes for students with special educational needs and disabilities.
How do you feel about its answer?
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