Public schools seek minister's help on how students may use AI: 'He is very busy'

Primary schools are also calling for the minister's help on how students may use AI: 'He is very busy'

The minister acknowledges that there is a need for a shift in gear and to quickly implement initiatives.

It is not only in upper secondary schools and other youth education programs that there is a need for protection against students cheating with artificial intelligence on tests and exams.

In primary schools, students are also confused and uncertain about what they are allowed to use AI for in school.

That is why they are now also calling for crystal-clear AI guidelines. And preferably quickly.

This is the message from the organization for primary school students, Danske Skoleelever, after the Minister of Education, Magnus Heunicke (Social Democrats), earlier today presented an "immediate package" aimed at combating AI cheating among students in youth education programs.

Read also: Monitoring and oral defense to put a stop to AI cheating ( https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/overvaagning-og-mundtligt-forsvar-paa-gymnasiet-skal-saette-stopper-snyd-med-ai )

The immediate package targets youth education programs, after numerous upper secondary schools across the country have reported cheating with AI, and that students have become worse at writing, calculating, and thinking for themselves because they have used AI for their school assignments.

Read also: Generation AI graduates - and it seems they have more difficulty with written exams ( https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/generation-ai-bliver-studenter-og-det-lader-til-de-har-svaerere-ved-skriftlige-eksamener )

"It is incredibly important that we keep up with the times and learn how to navigate AI, so students can use it in a proper and constructive way in teaching," says Madicken Luther, chairperson of Danske Skoleelever.

But it is not only the students who are challenged by the new technology, the chairperson points out.

"With some teachers, you might be allowed to use AI a whole lot in a good and constructive way. With others, it is almost considered cheating if you just open that AI overview on Google. It is extremely difficult for students to navigate," she says.

"With clear guidelines from the minister, I believe we can avoid a whole lot of conflicts in primary school that are arising right now," says Madicken Luther.

Avoids conflicts

The School Leaders' Association, which represents primary school principals, has also been calling for clear direction from the minister for some time.

"I have been a bit impatient and have wanted us to get some clear guidelines for how and what we should use AI for in teaching. But also that we develop the competencies of teachers and school management in this area," says Dorte Andreas, chairperson of the association.

"I have acknowledged that we need a shift in gear here and work quickly on the initiatives. Because developments in AI are moving at lightning speed," says Magnus Heunicke, Minister of Education (Social Democrats).

How busy is he?

"Well, he is very busy. But we shouldn't rush things so much that we don't actually think it through properly," she says.

The government has previously announced that it has plans to develop an overarching national strategy for AI in the entire school and education sector.

Magnus Heunicke has today gathered professionals from across the school sector at the annual education policy summit, the Sorø Meeting.

Here, the consequences of AI for the education sector are at the top of the agenda.

"I am listening, and then we must figure out what is needed to ensure that students in primary school learn about AI, without it being misused for cheating," he says.

Need for a shift in gear

As soon as he is ready, he will come to the aid of primary school students and teachers.

"I have acknowledged that we need a shift in gear here and work quickly on the initiatives. Because developments in AI are moving at lightning speed, and it directly impacts students' computers and phones," he says.

Students should of course use AI to the extent that it is relevant in teaching, the minister states.

"But if you get an assignment where the rule is that you should not use AI, then you should not use it. And then you have to think critically, work hard, and learn through that process," says Magnus Heunicke.

Facebook ( https://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=undefined )

Warning: This article was translated by a Large Language Model, in case of doubt, you can always visit the original source.