Weekly Newsletter

Practical AI Strategies

Beyond Scales: In theory and in practice

Hi everyone,

This week I’ve been reflecting on the journey of the AI Assessment Scale since its first version back in 2023 (or 650 years ago in AI years).

Many readers of this email will be familiar with the scale (if you’re not, aiassessmentscale.com has all the papers), and I’ve had the pleasure of talking through the AIAS with hundreds of educators in the past few years.

But we also know that scales and simple frameworks, including ours, can’t account for all of the complexity of AI in education. So this week I’ve written a pair of articles called “Beyond Scales” which together look at the theory and the practice of what comes next.

The theory article is something of a cautionary tale. It reflects on how ideas like the AIAS can have “lethal mutations” out in the wild, and why systemic pressures can make it hard to apply even simple-seeming ideas. I also reflect on some of the proposed solutions in higher education and K-12, thinking about how we might avoid the worst kinds of mutations.

In the practical half, I provide five examples of adaptations of the AIAS from around the world. The K-12 and Higher Ed examples show that going “beyond scales” is a community effort, and one which is still very much a work in progress.

Beyond Scales: In Theory

Beyond Scales: In Practice

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Students hate AI, and they can’t stop using it

On Friday I published an article that pulls together research from around the world into how students are really using GenAI, and what they think about it.

rom booing graduation speakers to voicing their concerns about the future job market, students are telling us (loudly) that they hate AI. But they’re also telling us that they feel compelled to use it.
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Like a Facebook relationship from 2008, it’s complicated…

Read: Students Hate AI, And They Can't Stop Using It

Practical AI for Curriculum Leaders: Term 3

Next week the term 2 cohort of Practical AI for Curriculum Leaders wraps up for the final session of the 6-week course. We've had some fantastic discussions across K-12, higher ed, and internationally. Thanks to everyone who joined this term's cohort!

There are places available now for the Term 3 cohort which will start on July 21st. For more information and to sign up with the early bird fee, visit the website:

Learn more about the curriculum leaders course

Cheers,

Leon

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