News Mania Desk/ Agnibeena Ghosh/25th June 2024
On Saturday, principals from some of Calcutta’s most reputable schools gathered to discuss the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in classrooms. The meeting highlighted the increasing inevitability of AI in education, particularly for a generation highly receptive to digital tools.
Many principals emphasized the utility of apps in explaining various concepts to students, while others underscored the need for checks and balances to ensure responsible use. Anjana Saha, principal of Mahadevi Birla World Academy, remarked, “This generation is much more comfortable in the virtual world and learning while navigating various apps.” She explained that their teachers employ age-appropriate apps on smart boards, and students use tablets to explore and learn, adding a dynamic element to classroom teaching.
Saha gave an example of Class XI students learning about parabolas, ellipses, and hyperbolas through an app. This app helps them grasp the difference between two- and three-dimensional shapes more effectively with animations that illustrate the formation of conics.
The discussion took place during the regional conference of the Indian Principals’ Network (IPN) at La Martiniere for Girls. The IPN is a collective of school leaders from various boards that shares best practices in teaching and learning. The conference’s theme was the digital transformation of schools in the AI era, focusing on how educational institutions are navigating this significant shift.
One of the panel discussions, “Digital Transformation of Indian Schools,” addressed the inevitability of digital transformation and the need to prepare students adequately. Rupkatha Sarkar, principal of La Martiniere for Girls, highlighted the dual nature of digital transformation, noting its benefits for flexible learning and idea exchange, while also acknowledging the associated risks. She stressed the importance of having policies and regulations in place to mitigate these threats.
Gargi Banerjee, principal of Sri Sri Academy, emphasized the need for continuous professional development for teachers to keep pace with technological advancements. She pointed out that if teachers are not adequately trained, they might fall behind, thus impeding the digital transformation process.
The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the potential of technology in education, leading to a significant increase in the use of tech tools in classrooms. However, as Saha pointed out, there must be vigilant monitoring of students’ online activities. Teachers at Mahadevi Birla World Academy regularly check search histories to ensure students are accessing authentic content.
While the adoption of AI and digital tools is widespread, Satabdi Bhattacharjee, principal of South City International School, raised an important point about inclusivity. She questioned whether the benefits of AI would remain confined to urban students and emphasized the need to extend these advancements to children in rural India. Bhattacharjee warned that failing to include rural students could result in missing out on a vast talent pool.
The conference also included a panel on balancing AI and human intelligence (HI), featuring speakers like Paromita Guha Ray of Apeejay School, Neeta Das of Saluja Gold International School, and others. They discussed strategies to harmonize AI with traditional teaching methods, ensuring that human oversight remains central in an AI-driven educational landscape.
In conclusion, the principals’ discussions reflected a consensus on the transformative potential of AI in education while recognizing the need for cautious and inclusive implementation. As schools continue to integrate AI, the focus will be on equipping both teachers and students to harness these technologies responsibly and effectively.
