Use of AI tools in the classroom with limited access to tech
Hi all,I wanted to start a discussion around how people are actually starting to integrate the use of AI tools in the classroom with their students, and in particular any ways in which people are getting students hands-on with these tools?So far, at least at my school, one of the only reliable ways to bring tech into the classroom has been using student devices - phones and laptops. This is largely due to budget constraints from the school not being able to afford computer rooms, the lack of a device system for students, or the general lack of support with technology in classrooms (e.g., no access to interactive whiteboards, unreliable tech in the classroom, etc.)As with many UK schools, we are moving to ban phones within school completely as of next term. So far they have been "not seen, not heard, in bags, switched off", but based on the recent white paper from the DfE we are going for a complete ban with a magnetically sealed phone bag system. I am aware that many schools across the country have already been doing this.Either way, this now raises a concern for schools that have limited access to tech. We have a few computer rooms, most of which are used daily by the computer science department for lessons, making them gold dust. Aside from that, we are not a 1-to-1 device school, so the access to tech for staff an students is becoming very limited very quickly.I feel that there are more barriers than solutions at the moment, so I am hoping that people would be willing...
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Josh, I am actually in the process of writing a book "AI Integration for Schools on a Tight Budget" as we speak. My research has focused on addressing the problem(s) you outline here. For what it's worth, my 2 cents (I am a Yank, so I can't comment on schillings or pounds :>) ) is there is no silver bullet for the issues you raise, but I believe there may be some steps that schools with...
One way would be to model on the board, invite students up to use tools with your guidance, and with peer discussion. I saw a great example where someone had asked Copilot to create a simulated scenario of the body's reaction to glucose, giving the class potential outcomes ' the body has reacted like this, what should you do now ? ' The class discussed the answers and voted on the outcome...
This really resonates with me. As I am in a school, in fact, a region with limited access. In many schools, the conversation about AI assumes abundant access to devices, reliable infrastructure, and plenty of staff confidence. That is not the reality for many of us.From my perspective, if access to technology is limited, then the goal cannot be “every student on an AI tool all the time”. It...
I found the prompt!You are a simulator designed to mimic the effects of glucoregulation on the human body to help me learn about the hormonal control of blood sugar in the body. Begin the simulation by describing the key roles of the hormones insulin and glucagon with me. When I am ready to begin, present a scenario that involves the blood sugar levels either going up or down. Ask me to...
Thanks for replying Michael. I agree with you - intentional AI use is the way to go.I have been, as you suggested, using AI with students in class by way of modelling prompts and critiquing outputs on the board, or having small groups around my tablet/laptop to prompt when stuck on a task or to produce some stimulus to get them thinking. Most recently I had students creating images of animals...
Just returned from The Educator's Playbook Live! New York 2026 and was very enrouraged by the discussions about the importance of finding ways to leverage AI to increase parity in education. As soon as I have recovered from my whirlwind trip to NYC and back all in the same day (from Cleveland, OH), I will provide a followup post outlining the ideas I heard at the conference.
Lots of great cutting edge information at this conference. Dan Fitzpatrick did a keynote to start thinks off and showed some of the ways AI has been used in a variety of ways, including the building of human-looking and acting robots. Sabba Quidwai's presentation and some of her responses during a small-group Q & A emphasized the possibilities AI offers to level the playing field for...
I would argue that AI literacy is too narrow; literacy is key. We also need to develop students to develop a culture of curiosity and scepticism.
Hi Walt. This is really encouraging to hear. I am glad that other people are asking this question and trying to answer it meaningfully. I appreciate there is not going to be a silver bullet, but I think that lots more schools are in the position I outlined above than we potentially realise (this is coming from a classroom teacher in the South West of England, so not evidence-base on that aside...
Josh, I will contact you on LinkedIn.