An MIS helps streamline administrative processes and enhance communication between different stakeholders in the educational ecosystem. It is viewed as the backbone of a school or MAT’s operations and communications.
Modern MIS infrastructure is continuing to evolve and improve, and there is one technology this is proving to be a transformative force for school MIS, and that’s Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Utilising Automation
AI holds immense potential. We are already seeing AI-powered automation streamline routine administrative processes, such as attendance tracking, grading, and scheduling. Schools are already experimenting by automating tasks, and creating reports on students’ behaviour or attendance using AI to pull data from their MIS. Some schools are even taking this a step further and automating personalised communication to parents/guardians around this data, tailoring the tone and formality to align with their desired communication style and school ethos.
AI: the All-rounder
Today, we are seeing AI more widely used for administrative tasks, rather than as a teaching and learning tool, but research has shown that a quarter of children are using AI to help with schoolwork.
The report also highlighted that 60% of parents say their child’s school has not informed them about plans to use generative AI tools to teach students, and 60% of schools that have not spoken to students about using AI in relation to schoolwork or homework.
The World Economic Forum has recently said that AI holds great potential for addressing the gaps global education systems are struggling with. It’s Shaping the Future of Learning 2024 report said that global education could benefit from AI’s ability to overcome technology and financial divides and create more personalised learning approaches.
AI has firmly arrived in schools, at least from our students’ point of view, and it shows no sign of going away. The potential for AI to aid teaching and learning is huge, and it is of vital importance that we as a sector arm ourselves with as much knowledge as possible about this rapidly evolving technology, and to become confident in not only navigating it, but also utilising all of its benefits.
The Journey of AI Discovery
What schools and MATs must remember is that they are not alone on their journey of AI discovery, and that support is out there.
AI in MIS support will introduce participants to AI tools and technologies commonly used in MIS, such as machine learning algorithms, predictive analytics software, natural language processing tools, and chatbots, and can provide hands-on experience with these tools through interactive workshops and simulations. It can also help to foster a culture of continuous learning and collaboration among educators and administrators.
It can also educate participants about the ethical considerations surrounding AI, including issues related to data privacy, bias, transparency.
The right support will encompass a range of topics to ensure educators and administrators have the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively leverage AI tools and technologies.
The Future Looks Bright
The World Economic Forum’s Shaping the Future of Learning 2024 report says that integrating AI into education has great potential for improving student’s learning experiences and outcomes.
In the future, AI functionality could start to be more conversational, like platforms such as ChatGPT. This means that instead of having to spend time creating reports, we could instead, simply ask things like, tell me the 10 worst attending students in year 9, do these students have anything in common? We can expect to a lot more interrogation of the data in a conversational manner.
We could also see AI analyse vast amounts of data collected by MIS systems to provide insights and recommendations for improving teaching methods, curriculum design, and overall educational outcomes. AI-driven MIS systems could even integrate Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality technologies to create immersive educational experiences.
The roadmap for AI in schools remains unclear, but the future looks very bright for its potential in MIS. Ultimately, its success will depend on how effectively it is implemented, integrated, and embraced by the educational community.
Find out more about how schools are getting ready for AI here. Or, if you’d like to discuss your school’s digital transformation plans, get in touch with Cantium today.
