In our final Further Education community session of 2024, we were joined by Bryony Evett Hackfort, Director of Teaching, Learning and Education at Coleg Sir Gȃr | Coleg Ceredigion. Bryony presented ‘‘To AI or not to AI’ The story so far”, sharing insights into her college’s ongoing journey with AI, and highlighting their focus on an ‘enhancement not replacement’ approach.
Bryony explained how the college’s policies and strategies around AI have continually transformed to keep up with the pace of this developing technology. Looking ahead, she also shared with us some of their exciting future plans, including initiatives to engage leadership in AI professional learning, measure the impact of AI implementations, and developing an AI learning framework.
In addition, Bryony offered insights from the college’s recent pilot of Google’s NotebookLM, which involved staff and learners from a variety of departments exploring its potential to enhance teaching and learning. During the Q&A session, discussions focused on the challenges of measuring AI’s impact, engaging leadership in AI learning, and ensuring a strong foundation for understanding AI across the institution.
You can watch the full recording of Bryony’s session on our YouTube channel.
Lean coffee discussion
In the latter half of our session, we engaged in a group discussion using the lean coffee method, allowing community members to submit discussion points and questions across four key categories: Assessment, Accessibility, Data Protection, and Guiding Student Use of AI.
Although time constraints meant we couldn’t explore every point raised, we were able to cover a few important areas. We looked at how AI could be incorporated into assessment practices, with a particular focus on the use of assessment scales in FE. The AI Assessment Scale (AIAS) was brought up as a potential framework for evaluating AI’s role in assessments. Members were keen to hear whether other colleges were implementing the scale or other variations.
Another key topic was the use of AI as a study tool to support accessibility, specifically its potential to clarify complex learning concepts. Participants were interested in finding more resources aimed at supporting learners with the use of generative tools, such as prompt guides.
Nominate your community champion
Nominations for community champions are still open until the end of this week, closing at midnight 15 December 2024.
This is an opportunity to recognise those in the community who share knowledge and support other members.
Community champions will be rewarded with a VIP trip to Digifest on 11-12 March 2025, including UK travel and accommodation, along with an opportunity to celebrate alongside other champions.
Next month
Join us again on the 21st January 12.30-1.30 for a brilliant session from Nigel Holloway, Head of AI and Digital Innovation, at Coleg Cambria.
Nigel will discuss Coleg Cambria’s approach to AI – what it has done so far, what it is planning to do moving forward, and the benefits of using an AI Adoption Framework.
If you’ve yet to sign up for the FE community meet-ups, you can do so by completing this form.
Find out more by visiting our Artificial Intelligence page to view publications and resources, join us for events and discover what AI has to offer through our range of interactive online demos.
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Get in touch with the team directly at AI@jisc.ac.uk