2025年5月15日 星期四

Bringing AI into Secondary Schools: Answering Six Simple Questions

Bringing AI into Secondary Schools: Answering Six Simple Questions


Introduction

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing the way we live, work, and learn. It helps us search online, talk to smart assistants like Siri or Alexa, and even helps doctors find illnesses. But how can we include AI in secondary schools to help students learn better? This paper answers the Six Questions of Technology to explore how AI can be added to education in a smart and useful way.


1. What is the power of the technology?

AI can help students learn in more personalized and engaging ways. It can:

  • Give instant feedback on homework.

  • Help students practice at their own speed.

  • Support teachers with grading and lesson planning.

  • Translate languages or read texts aloud.

  • Suggest extra materials for students who need more help or want to go deeper.

The power of AI is that it can make learning more tailored to each student and help teachers focus more on teaching and less on routine tasks.


2. What does it make possible that was not possible before?

Before AI, teachers had to spend a lot of time grading and preparing lessons for large groups. With AI, schools can now:

  • Offer personalized learning paths for each student.

  • Use chatbots or virtual tutors to answer questions any time.

  • Detect when students are struggling before it becomes a big problem.

  • Create smart classrooms that adjust to how students learn best.

This means more support for every student, not just the fastest or slowest ones.


3. What does it make easier, cheaper, or faster?

AI makes many things faster and easier:

  • Automatic grading saves teachers hours of time.

  • Students can get immediate feedback instead of waiting for a teacher.

  • Translating texts or helping students with reading difficulties can happen instantly.

  • Finding the right resources for each student becomes easier.

In the long run, AI can save schools time and money, especially in large classes.


4. What does it make harder, more expensive, or more complicated?

Using AI can also bring challenges:

  • Schools need to buy new tools or devices, which can be costly.

  • Teachers need training to use AI tools well.

  • Not all students may have access to the internet or devices at home.

  • Some people may worry about privacy and how AI uses data.

Adding AI can be hard if schools are not prepared with the right support, budget, and planning.


5. What new problems might it bring?

AI can bring new problems, such as:

  • Over-reliance on technology, where students or teachers stop thinking critically.

  • Less human interaction in the classroom.

  • Bias in AI systems that may treat some students unfairly.

  • Concerns about student data and privacy.

If not managed carefully, AI might create new issues even while solving old ones.


6. Who gains and who loses from this technology?

Gains:

  • Students who need extra help or learn differently.

  • Teachers who can focus more on creative and personal teaching.

  • Schools that want better results with fewer resources.

Loses:

  • Students without access to digital tools.

  • Teachers who don’t get proper training.

  • Communities that can’t afford the technology.

To be fair, schools need to make sure no one is left behind when using AI.


Conclusion

AI has the power to transform learning in secondary schools—but only if we use it wisely. By asking the Six Questions of Technology, we can think clearly about the benefits, the risks, and what steps are needed to make AI a helpful part of education for everyone. With the right support, training, and fairness, AI can be a great partner in helping students and teachers succeed.