The development of AI technology has proven to improve efficiencies across a vast range of industries, and teaching is no exception. AI can assist teachers in several ways. From automated marking and feedback to streamlining administrative processes and tasks, as well as generating ideas and progress and even tracking pupil's progress - the opportunities to support teachers' work could go a long way to help teachers stay on top of their tasks and give them more space to focus on what they love to do - teach.
While there is no doubt that teacher burnout is a real issue, with increasing pressure to deliver exceptional results, it's no wonder that the teacher crisis persists. Recruitment and retention challenges are a real problem across the UK teaching landscape. Still, as AI technology continues to improve, there is a real opportunity for teachers to enhance their capacity if they employ AI to automate and support some of their ongoing administrative and teaching tasks.
AI and Workload Reduction in Teaching
Teachers in England work an average of 52.4 hours a week - well above the UK Working Time Regulations of 48 hours per week. With the introduction of AI technology, we can hope to see those figures significantly reduced. As teachers and schools become more on board with using this technology, their focus can shift away from administration and back to the hours spent in the classroom, inspiring the next generation of learners.
So, how can AI help teachers? A deep dive into the practical ways artificial intelligence can reduce workload, personalise learning, and streamline classroom and administrative tasks
Marking and Assessment
Tools like Gradescope, Google Forms with AI feedback, and No More Marking are becoming increasingly popular among teachers to help them speed up formative assessments, flag patterns, and suggest the next action to take.
Lesson Planning and Resource Creation
One of the biggest challenges for teachers is finding the time and resources to plan informative and valuable lessons that align with the national curriculum. With the introduction of platforms like ChatGPT, Canva Magic Write, and Kahoot AI, it's possible for teachers to generate ideas, quizzes, and content with ease. These tools can also create customisable lesson outlines for different key stages and subjects in seconds, potentially saving teachers hours.
Time-Saving Tools for Communication
AI-supported platforms like Teacher Tapp, SchoolCloud or Wonde can help set up successful and efficient parent comms and scheduling. Such tools can also be used to automate calendar management and form filling, which can be tedious and time-consuming tasks that take up valuable teaching time.
3. Personalised Learning with AI
Adapting Content to Learners' Needs
Another struggle that teachers often cite is tending to the differing needs and abilities of pupils in their classrooms. Not everyone can learn at the same pace, and different preferred learning styles and ways to absorb information can also impact how successfully a lesson lands with pupils. AI tools like Century Tech, Sparx Learning, and EdTech platforms tailor content to pupil progress. Utilising this technology could achieve real benefits for pupils with diverse needs and learning styles, and could be particularly useful for learners with SEND and EAL.
Data-Driven Intervention
Using predictive analytics to flag at-risk students or suggest differentiated materials is another way AI can benefit teachers, enhancing their ability to manage students who require additional support. By implementing predictive analytics in this way these pupils can be flagged sooner, leading to quicker support and measures put in place to help them. This could lead to improved outcomes, not just for the individual but for the school as a whole.
Supporting Independent Learning
Chatbots or virtual tutors could also be used in a supportive role to help students with homework assignments or exam revision. This type of support is valuable in periods when teachers aren't readily available, such as holiday periods before GCSE or A-Level preparation.
AI for Administrative Efficiency
Being weighted down by administrative tasks is no fun for anyone, so employing AI to help streamline and automate some of these processes is likely to be welcomed across the teaching landscape. Whether it's making use of Smart MIS platforms that integrate behaviour logs, attendance, and safeguarding, such as Arbor or SIMS AI tools, or streamlining report-writing using AI-generated templates, such tools are only going to get better at what they do. Get into the habit of using them now can ensure you continue to save more and more time on administrative tasks as the technology continues to improve.
Challenges, Limitations and Ethical Considerations
Not everyone in the education industry (or in any industry) is entirely on board with the idea of integrating AI into every part of our lives. Some have raised concerns that over-reliance on technology could start to obstruct human connection and personal relationships that are formed when choosing to stick to old methods. Data privacy and safeguarding issues are naturally another high-priority concern for teachers considering AI integration into their classrooms, and better assurances need to be made that relevant protocols have been put in place to protect students and teachers from data breaches.
Another prominent concern is the bias that can occur in algorithms and equity of access, which could leave some pupils at a severe disadvantage. This is why it's so essential for AI to be used appropriately, especially in an educational setting. It must always seek to serve human judgement, not to replace it.
AI in Teaching - Getting Started with AI in Your Classroom
For teachers who want to explore the use of AI in the classroom or in their roles, there are numerous free tools available, such as ChatGPT, Curipod, Canva, and Quillionz. These tools offer low-risk, high-reward starting points where teachers can begin to learn how they can manipulate AI to enhance their role. Start small by trialling a tool and exploring its capabilities. If you do discover something useful, share what works. The more teachers can help one another to reduce workloads by sharing useful resources, ??the more time and energy they can devote to high-impact teaching, professional development, and supporting student progress.
The Role of Teacher Recruitment and Professional Development
Tech-savvy, forward-thinking teachers may well already be embracing the capabilities of AI tools to help reduce their workloads. As more and more teachers look to AI to help support their workload, schools may well be on the lookout for teachers with edtech skills and working knowledge of AI tools. Teachers, therefore, have a valuable opportunity to position themselves as digitally competent professionals — not only enhancing their efficiency but also contributing to whole-school innovation and future-ready teaching practice.
Conclusion
There is enormous potential for AI tools to reduce admin, personalise learning, and free up time for what matters most: teaching. Teachers should adopt a spirit of open-minded experimentation, as well as focus on upskilling, to ensure they can effectively utilise this technology as it continues to evolve. Remember, the evolution of AI shouldn't be about creating fear that jobs could be at risk or that teachers could become redundant; rather, it's about using it to support better, more efficient teaching and an improved work-life balance for teachers and students alike.
Looking for a new teaching role? Why not browse our jobs board or talk to our recruitment team today?
