Over the past couple of years I have helped dozens of schools in Australia and overseas to work on their Generative AI Guidelines and policies. I use a variety of tools, including national guidance like the Australian Framework for GenAI in Schools and international advice from UNESCO. I also have a lot of tools and processes I’ve created myself along the way.
One of the Core Principles of the Australian Framework is Transparency. This means transparency from all parties involved: the school, the students, the parents and community, and the technology developers. Here’s a practical checklist to help schools maintain transparency when implementing GenAI. You’ll find a PDF version at the end:
- Clear Communication
- Develop a clear GenAI policy and share it with all stakeholders
- Regularly update the school community on GenAI initiatives
- Provide accessible information about GenAI tools being used
- Disclosure of AI Use
- Clearly indicate when GenAI tools are being used in classrooms
- Inform parents when GenAI is used in student assessments or reports
- Disclose any AI-generated content in school communications
- Understanding AI Functionality
- Provide training for staff on how GenAI tools work
- Incorporate lessons on AI functionality into relevant subjects
- Engage with AI vendors to understand and explain their tools
- Explainable AI Practices
- Choose GenAI tools that offer clear explanations of their processes
- Encourage vendors to provide transparency reports or audits
- Develop guides explaining AI decision-making in simple terms
- Open Dialogue
- Create forums for students and parents to ask questions about GenAI
- Encourage staff to discuss AI use in parent-teacher meetings
- Host information sessions on AI in education
- Continuous Evaluation
- Regularly assess the impact of GenAI tools on teaching and learning
- Share findings from AI evaluations with the school community
- Be open about challenges and limitations of AI implementation
- Ethical Considerations
- Clearly communicate the ethical guidelines for AI use in your school
- Discuss potential biases in AI systems with students and staff
- Be transparent about data usage and privacy measures
By following this checklist, schools can help ensure they’re aligned with the Framework’s transparency principle, and more broadly with best-practice in implementing new technologies. It’s not just about ticking boxes, though. True transparency requires an ongoing commitment to open communication and a willingness to engage with all members of the school community.
Remember, like any digital technology the goal isn’t to use GenAI in every aspect of school life, but to implement it thoughtfully and transparently where it can genuinely enhance teaching and learning.
What steps is your school taking to ensure transparency in AI implementation? I’d be interested to hear your experiences in the comments, or you can get in touch directly below.
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