17 September 2024
In a significant development aimed at supporting teachers across New South Wales (NSW), Australia, the NSW Department of Education is set to roll out a generative AI app to all public school teachers by the beginning of Term 4 in October. This app, named NSWEduChat, follows a successful trial that began in early 2024 and expanded to 50 schools by Term 2. Feedback from participating teachers highlighted the tool’s potential to streamline workloads, allowing for greater focus on classroom teaching.
The trial initially kicked off in 16 schools and was broadened due to its promising results. The tool is specifically designed to ease the administrative burden on educators, offering tailored versions for both teachers and students. The teacher-focused version was purpose-built to reduce time spent on repetitive tasks such as producing resources, adjusting lesson materials, and managing communications.
Positive results from trial
During the trial, teachers reported significant time savings, particularly in creating resources that cater to different student abilities and interests. For some, the tool reduced the time spent on administrative tasks by more than an hour per week. The AI-powered platform also proved beneficial in organizing correspondence and preparing materials like newsletters, further streamlining teachers’ responsibilities.
The primary goal of introducing NSWEduChat is to explore how generative AI can enhance teaching and learning by minimizing the administrative workload. This aligns with the broader commitment by the Minns Labour Government to reduce teachers’ admin load by five hours per week—a crucial step towards addressing the ongoing teacher shortage in NSW.
AI tool to enhance classroom learning, not replace teachers
Prue Car, Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning, emphasised that the tool is not intended to replace the essential work of teachers but rather to support them. “Teachers who have been using this tool say it’s helping them spend less time on admin, enabling them to focus on teaching,” said Car. “NSWEduChat does not replace the valuable work of our teachers – it helps them to save time, tailor their resources, and focus on their critical work in the classroom.”
Ensuring secure and optional sse
NSWEduChat is hosted within the Department of Education’s secure cloud infrastructure, ensuring that all data remains protected. While the use of the tool is entirely optional, the department is providing teachers with access to professional development resources, including workshops and online guides, to help them integrate the AI tool effectively into their work routines.
With this systemwide rollout, the NSW Department of Education aims to further examine the impact of NSWEduChat on teachers’ time management and its contribution to improving the quality of student learning experiences.
