AI Case Study - Rochdale Sixth Form College

By Kathryn Parkinson, assistant principal - Rochdale Sixth Form College

Case Study

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, Rochdale Sixth Form College (RSFC) is taking a considered approach to exploring the integration of artificial intelligence to enhance teaching and learning. As part of its commitment to innovation and excellence, RSFC is conducting several pilot projects aimed at evaluating the potential benefits of Al technologies. These initiatives are undertaken within the framework of the Trust, with a keen focus on maintaining academic standards and meeting the evolving needs of students and our staff.

Recognising the importance of upholding the integrity of the non-examined assessments, RSFC purchased Turnitin, a renowned plagiarism detection software. This strategic decision followed thorough research into exam board practices and university procedures, which helped us to realise that the investment in Turnitin was justified despite the availability of free alternatives. Student NEA pieces are created over the year with drafts submitted regularly so staff can see the build-up of the final piece, which gives some reassurances of ownership. Staff are aware of the limitations of Turnitin and, should Turnitin flag Al detection or staff suspect Al usage, staff are not to assume this is fact but have conversations to determine the best next steps on a case-by-case basis.

RSFC has taken measures to regulate student access to popular Al websites such as ChatGPT during class sessions, mitigating the risk of Al misuse. This is useful in BTEC assignment lessons, but it is acknowledged that this is not a long-term solution and that students can access Al from home. Reminding students of the JCQ rules and of the processes that take place after their submissions, alongside sharing case studies of actions that could be taken in the case of Al misuse, is the most powerful strategy.

While carefully following JCQ guidelines we have tried to encourage use of Al. RSFC purchased fifty licences for Teachermatic which is an Al platform ‘designed by educators for educators;’ it promotes itself as a tool to reduce workload and elevate teaching and learning. It can create emails for staff, notes or PowerPoints for lessons or press releases for events. Some functions are more useful than others for A level teaching, and the platform is still developing with some new additions working well for our students at level 3. For example, self-marking multiple- choice quizzes which link to a YouTube clip on any given subject can be produced in seconds by copying and pasting a link, useful for structured independent study activities. Furthermore, as a Microsoft institution we will encourage the use of Copilot, leveraging Al to streamline tasks while ensuring data security.

RSFC's dedication to Al integration is further evidenced by two ongoing paid action research projects, each focusing on distinct aspects of Al implementation.

Action research project with staff focus:

A member of the science BTEC team is testing the effectiveness of a free Al checker software in comparison to Turnitin. This member of staff is also looking at prompts that could help to decide on assessment grades in assignments; though Al would not be the sole form of assessment decisions, it could help in the standardisation process across large BTEC cohorts.

Action research project with student focus:

This project has a preliminary aim of training students to use Al to engage with their subjects beyond the syllabus. While there are several platforms that provide specific teacher focussed applications, we are still researching the best way to use Al with our students. The aim is to work with a small cohort of high achievers and train them to use Al in an engaging and interactive way, to make students look at topics in their subject areas in a wider sense. The project aims to train learners to put more effective information into the system to produce better and more relevant results.

It is hoped that as an institution we will train our students to use Al to support their revision. Reservations from current subject staff would question some of the Al responses, which they feel can miss the nuances of specific A level requirements. However, addressing these concerns through collaboration and expert guidance can help us refine our approach to Al integration and understand which use cases Al is best equipped to help us with, and where human design of responses is still far superior.

In conclusion, RSFC is dedicated to fostering an educational environment where staff and students harness Al for enrichment. We've agreed to collaborate on Al initiatives with Lancaster University, and Dr. Casey Cross, the University Associate Academic Dean, will support the college’s working group and provide expert counsel. Through these efforts, RSFC is committed to creating a culture where Al serves as a catalyst for growth and achievement.

Here are some top tips on lessons learned from our journey at Rochdale Sixth Form College

Focus on Training and Support:

Train students to use Al effectively to enhance their learning experience. Promote the positive uses of Al, such as leveraging tools like Teachermatic to reduce workload and enhance teaching and learning. Ensure that staff are aware of the most effective applications.

Incremental Implementation and Pilot Projects:

Start with pilot projects to evaluate the potential benefits and challenges of Al technologies. This cautious approach allows for adjustment and improvement before wider implementation.

Thorough Evaluation and Justification of Al Tools:

Conduct extensive research into existing practices and tools to ensure that any investment in Al technology, like Turnitin, is well-justified and beneficial, and the tool can be used appropriately by staff and/or students.

Ongoing Research and Collaboration:

Engage in action research projects to explore different aspects of Al implementation, both for staff and students. Collaborate with academic institutions and experts to gain insights and guidance.

Align Al Integration with Educational Goals:

Ensure that Al initiatives align with the overall educational goals of the institution, such as maintaining academic standards, enhancing learning experiences, and meeting the evolving needs of students and staff.

Top tips generated in part by ChatGPT, OpenAI, 2024.