Professor Sandra Leaton Gray | One one-and-a-half-hour session | Autumn: 10:00 - 11:30 (UK time) Monday October 13

NB: This course accrues 1 training point.

This 90-minute training session is designed for doctoral students interested in the theory and practice of AI in education and educational research. The session will start with a brief overview of core AI concepts and terminology, including machine learning and neural networks, contextualised within educational research frameworks.

We then focus on the theoretical foundations of AI applications in education, particularly how personalised learning systems and intelligent tutoring systems are based on theories of cognitive development and learning analytics. There will be a short explanation of the functioning of AI algorithms and their role in processing educational data, using case studies of adaptive learning and assessment platforms.

Ethical considerations, such as data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the impact of AI on the educator's role, will be analysed through a critical theoretical perspective, drawing on literature from ethics in technology and educational theory. The session will end with a brief discussion of some practical strategies for incorporating AI into doctoral research and practice, including a collaborative activity where participants will discuss potential research projects or applications of AI in their specific fields.