Artificial Intelligence tools at ISWA
by Staale Brokvam, Director of Technology
As part of our efforts to support teaching and learning at ISWA, we have been focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) and are developing an AI policy to provide clarity and guidance for our staff and students. AI is integrated into our learning management software, Toddle, and the Toddle team is gradually integrating AI into various modules, with benefits for both teachers and students. AI can work as a teaching assistant, automating certain time-consuming tasks and freeing teachers up to spend more time in direct interaction with students. It can also help to provide personalised learning support for students.
For an in-depth reflection on our work with Toddle, please watch the video below:
AI That Supports Teachers
Teachers are using AI in Toddle to assist with lesson and unit planning. Toddle’s AI tool has been trained on a large body of educational materials, including the full documentation of the IB PYP, MYP and Diploma framework, as well as the West Australian SCSA standards.
It assists teachers with designing high-quality, standards-aligned lessons by suggesting learning objectives, instructional strategies, and assessment tools. It reduces planning time and allows teachers to focus more on engaging students, differentiating instruction, and creatively enhancing the learning experience.
Personalised AI Tutors for Students
Toddle AI Tutors are a new learning activity type which teachers can configure and assign to students. An AI tutor is a chatbot which can provide each student with personalised support, guidance and feedback. Interactions with the AI Tutor can take many forms, depending on the subject and the intended outcome: students can play math games, explore or reinforce key concepts from their current unit, revise skills, engage in written or spoken conversation with the tutor in French or Spanish, brainstorm for a project or essay, and more, all while learning at their own pace.
Importantly, the system also gives teachers insight into student performance – highlighting individual strengths and areas for growth in relation to learning goals, and providing teachers with summary data for the class as a whole, allowing them to plan differentiated instruction going forward.
Developing an AI Policy
While AI presents a number of opportunities we are also aware of potential risks, and in order to provide safeguards and guidance for responsible use, we are working on an AI policy for ISWA. This will guide how we use AI technologies across the community. Important elements of the policy include:
- Privacy and data security – ensuring student information is safe
- Bias and accuracy – addressing inherent concerns with AI
- Transparency – clearly indicating when content is AI-generated
- Academic honesty – setting expectations for appropriate student use of AI
- Evaluation guidelines – establishing a review process for AI tools
- Scale of appropriate usage – defining usage levels (e.g. “No AI” to “Free Reign”) for clear communication on permitted AI use per task
Looking Ahead
As AI becomes a more common part of life and learning, our goal is to ensure it serves our community in thoughtful, student-centered ways. We’re excited by how AI can personalize learning, support teachers, and provide timely feedback. At the same time, we want to balance innovation with responsibility, so that students not only benefit from these tools, but also learn how to use them ethically and effectively.
– Staale Brokvam, Director of Technology
