Jack Holmes
CEO, Seneca Learning
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools have immense potential in education. But, to succeed in schools, they must bridge the gap between what makes sense on paper and what students want to use.
Artificial intelligence has already saved teachers countless hours by helping mark open-text answers and transforming worksheets, presentation slides and videos into interactive quizzes. Yet, many of the bold promises of 2023’s AI gold rush remain unrealised. CEO of Seneca Learning, Jack Holmes, explains: “As with any big technology shift, you have to take stock and see where it fits in. Lots of exciting AI products have been built but very few are still engaging students.”
AI learning that keeps students motivated
Holmes emphasises: “Student engagement is the foundation that we build everything on top of.” While the ‘blank canvas’ AI Assistant worked well for the most diligent and curious students, Seneca found more success by integrating AI alongside their existing bank of exam board-specific courses. Their ‘Explain My Answer’ feature has proved most popular overall and struck a chord with teachers “because it fits in with their current view of effective digital learning and meets students where they are.”
Holmes appreciates that mental effort is a crucial part of learning. However, he believes “helping students get unstuck and really understand where they went wrong is what great teachers do.” Recent research also highlights how AI removes the age-old fear of asking perceived ‘silly questions’ — so often an obstacle to progress. Applying these learnings has led students to get help from their AI tutor three times more often than with Seneca’s previous human chat tutoring service.
Helping students get unstuck and really
understand where they went wrong
is what great teachers do.
A collaborative path forward
Holmes acknowledges the need for thoughtful integration alongside conventional teaching but remains confident that ongoing school pilots will foster the collaboration needed with students, teachers and parents to build effective solutions. So far, the leading concerns from teachers are safeguarding and accuracy. “We know what a student is studying, down to the exam board. So, our AI can be much more precise with its support and keep things on topic,” he adds.
Accessibility is also key as special educational needs and English as an additional language populations grow. Improving cost-effectiveness of AI is opening up new solutions to help, such as instantly tailoring content to any reading age or translating to any language. Examples include tailoring content to any reading age or translating to any language. Holmes concludes: “There’s clear awareness amongst school leaders that AI will be influential in education in some format. No one has all the answers, but we’re getting closer every day.”
