How Schools Can Effectively Communicate to Parents About the Use of AI in Education
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming an integral part of education, enhancing learning experiences and personalising instruction for students. However, many parents may feel uncertain or even concerned about how AI is being used in their child’s education. Schools can play a key role in building trust and understanding by effectively communicating the benefits, ethical considerations and practical applications of AI.
Used this guide to help your school engage parents in meaningful conversations about AI in education.
1. Start with Transparency
Parents value honesty and clarity when it comes to their child’s education.
- Clearly outline how AI is being used, whether it’s adaptive learning platforms, administrative tools or career guidance systems; parents need a clear picture of where AI fits into their child’s school day.
- Provide specific examples, such as AI tools that personalise lessons or systems that flag when a child may need additional support.
- Explain data usage, address concerns by clarifying how pupil data is collected, stored and protected. Be upfront about compliance and highlight where this is addressed in school policies on the school website.
2. Highlight the Benefits for Students
To build enthusiasm and support emphasise how AI directly benefits pupils. Include key points and examples such as:
- Personalised learning, that supports a diverse classroom and leads to better inclusion, ensuring no child is left behind.
- Enhanced engagement, which shows how AI-powered platforms use gamification and interactive content to make learning more exciting.
- Support for teachers, with AI handling repetitive tasks, show how teachers have more time to focus on teaching and supporting pupils.
3. Provide Parent Education Opportunities
For parents unfamiliar with AI or its applications in education. You can:
- Host sessions to explain AI basics, its role in education and how parents can support their child’s AI-enabled learning at home. These are perhaps best attached to a parents or open evening event to ensure good attendance.
- Highlight in the school newsletter, as this technology is still new, ensure that AI is a standing item in the school newsletter to bring parents and guardians along the AI journey that the school and their child are on.
- Encourage reading for pleasure on tech topics, this will help to demystify tech and see its uses. The charity Technology Books for Children provides lists of books and resources that can be beneficial in and out of school.
Here at eduthing we provide a range of training events, covering AI use in education. Follow this link and book a session today.