As disruptions in the educational sector became increasingly evident, Epsom & Ewell High School decided to proactively harness the potential of AI. Their journey was systematically broken down into eight stages from the beginning of January 2023 to April 2023:
Stage 1 – Prepare the ground (Jan 4th)
Purpose: Raise awareness
Method: Message to staff highlighting the start of the disruption and encourage early adopters to experiment.
Stage 2 – Facilitate discussion (Feb 5th)
Purpose: To disseminate more detailed information and help staff understand the technology.
Method: Produce a strategy guide and share with staff.
Stage 3 – Deliver staff training (Feb 22nd)
Purpose: Help staff understand the technology more and give concrete examples that staff can apply.
Method: Staff training on risks, limitations, concerns and giving examples.
Stage 4 – Share best practice and discussion (Feb 23rd)
Purpose: Maintain momentum and keep staff in touch with developments
Method: Create an AI team using Microsoft Teams. Use channels to catalogue different areas of discussion.
Stage 5 – Monitor usage 1 (Mar 3rd)
Purpose: To maintain momentum, highlight benefits of use and share best practice.
Method: Use of Microsoft Forms to get staff to document time saved and categorise usage. Offer reward to incentivise logging of data as this is a barrier to use. Regularly publish results.
Stage 6 – Monitor usage 2 (Mar 28th)
Purpose: To gauge uptake and frequency of use.
Method: Use of Microsoft Poll in Teams
Stage 7 – Recruit trailblazers and interested staff for AI Integration Team (To launch April 17th)
Purpose: Identify staff who want to help drive usage, policy, training, sharing best practice and support other staff at EEHS.
Method: Message asking for volunteers in Microsoft Teams AI Team
Stage 8 - Educate students (Summer term)
Method: Assemblies, surveys and integrate as part of curriculum including PSHE.
Impact in numbers (One week after initial training):
No of hours of staff time saved after 1 week = 39 hours
No of departments using AI = 13
Average amount of hours saved per department per week = 3
The scenario in this case study is genuine and based upon real events and data, however its narration has been crafted by AI to uphold a standardised and clear format for readers.
Key Learning
A step-by-step strategy is vital for successful AI integration. By breaking down the journey into stages, EEHS ensured clarity of purpose at each step.
Each stage involved the staff, ensuring they felt equipped, informed, and integral to the process.
Data-driven insights, such as hours saved and departmental engagement, offer a clear picture of AI's potential when integrated systematically.
Risks
The pace of AI's growth means constant updates, and training might be required to stay current.
Not all staff may be on board initially, and some might resist integrating AI into their teaching methods.
Incentivizing data logging can sometimes lead to skewed or inaccurate data if not monitored closely.
