New Books in Science, Technology, and Society

Why Teachers Turn to AI

Jan 7, 2025

Dr. Sue Ollerhead, a Senior Lecturer at Macquarie University with expertise in multilingual education, discusses how AI tools like ChatGPT are reshaping teaching methodologies. She shares insights on integrating AI for lesson planning, highlighting both its benefits and challenges teachers face with time constraints. The conversation delves into the importance of empathy and human connection in diverse classrooms. Ollerhead advocates for a balanced approach that harnesses AI's potential while preserving the personal touch essential for effective learning.

33:55

Episode guests

Dr. Sue Ollerhead

AI Summary

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Teachers are increasingly using AI tools like ChatGPT for efficient lesson planning due to overwhelming workloads and time constraints.

While AI can assist in education, the irreplaceable human elements of empathy and adaptability are crucial for effective teaching.

Deep dives

AI's Role in Teacher Workload Management

Generative AI tools like ChatGPT are increasingly being utilized by teachers to streamline lesson planning due to the overwhelming workloads they face. On average, teachers have only a few minutes to dedicate to planning lessons amidst their numerous responsibilities, which has led to a significant uptake of AI solutions. A survey by the Australian Association of Independent Schools found that over 70% of primary and 80% of secondary teachers are using AI for tasks like lesson design, reflecting its perceived value in easing time constraints. By generating comprehensive lesson plans in a matter of minutes, AI provides a pragmatic approach to lesson planning that helps educators manage their time effectively.

Intro

2min

Navigating Multilingual Education in Diverse Contexts

3min

Harnessing AI for Efficient Lesson Planning in Teacher Education

3min

Navigating Diversity in the Classroom

19min

Embracing AI in Education: A Symbiotic Future

3min

In this episode of the Language on the Move podcast, Brynn Quick speaks with Dr. Sue Ollerhead. Dr. Ollerhead is currently a Senior Lecturer in Languages and Literacy Education and the Director of the Secondary Education Program at Macquarie University. Her expertise lies in English language and literacy learning and teaching in multicultural and multilingual education contexts. Her research interests include translanguaging, multilingual pedagogies, literacy across the curriculum and oracy development in schools.

Dr. Ollerhead is currently editor of TESOL in Context, the peer reviewed journal of the Australian Council of TESOL Associations. She serves on the executive board of the English as a Medium of Instruction Centre (EMI) at Macquarie University.

Brynn and Sue chat about an article that Sue has recently written for the Australian Association for Research in Education entitled “Teachers Truly Know Students and How They Learn. Does AI?”. They discuss the emergence of AI platforms like ChatGPT and how these platforms are affecting teacher training.

A wonderful companion read to this episode is Distinguished Ingrid Piller’s Can we escape the textocalypse? Academic publishing as community building.

If you liked this episode, check out more resources on technology and language: Will technology make language rights obsolete?; the podcast Tech Won’t Save Us; and Are language technologies counterproductive to learning?

If you enjoy the show, support us by subscribing to the Language on the Move Podcast on your podcast app of choice, leaving a 5-star review, and recommending the Language on the Move Podcast and our partner the New Books Network to your students, colleagues, and friends.

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New Books in Science, Technology, and Society

Why Teachers Turn to AI

Episode guests