In today's digital age, children are growing up in a world where technology is an integral part of their daily lives. The advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and where this lies in the curriculum, is something to be explored. While AI may seem like a concept from the distant future, its applications in primary education are already transforming the way young learners engage with curriculum content. In this blog post, we'll explore how AI could fit in one of the primary Teach Computing Curriculum units
Year 4 Photo Editing
We know that as learners navigate through various digital platforms and engage with multimedia content, they are increasingly exposed to the realm of image editing. This unit develops learners understanding of how digital images can be changed and edited, with the skills needed to manipulate photos. However, the emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has paved the way for more intuitive and accessible image editing experiences.
Automated Editing Features
One of the most compelling aspects of AI-driven image editing tools is their ability to automate the complex editing tasks. For example, AI algorithms can automatically adjust brightness, contrast, and colour levels in photos to enhance their visual appeal. Similarly, AI powered tools can remove unwanted objects from images, apply artistic filters and effects and even generate realistic looking captions and annotations. By streamlining the editing process, AI could enable primary children to focus on expressing their creativity, without getting bogged down by tedious manual adjustments. With traditional image editing tools, that may seem complex and daunting for young learners, should we be embracing such technology? Should we be adopting these AI-powered tools, where children can experiment with various editing techniques, to develop essential digital literacy skills such or using the tools to allow learners to focus on visual storytelling, composition, and design principles as they manipulate images?
Creative Expression
Going further than the basics of photo editing, AI reinvents the whole process, enabling pupils to create anything they can dream! Tools like Canva’s Magic Studio can turn any text into an image, empowering primary children to express their creativity and imagination through image editing in ways that were previously inaccessible. By using a platform such as this for creative expression, AI could foster a sense of confidence and accomplishment in primary children as they see their ideas come to life through image editing.
Ethical Considerations
While AI-powered editing tools offer numerous benefits for primary children, it’s essential to consider the ethical implications of their use. As educators, we should teach children about the importance of respecting copyright and intellectual property rights when using images sourced from the internet. It’s essential to encourage learners to critically evaluate the authenticity and integrity of images they encounter online and understand the potential ethical consequences of manipulating or altering images in misleading ways.
AI for the future?
AI-powered image editing tools open up a world of creative possibilities for primary children, empowering them to explore their creativity, develop essential digital literacy skills, and express themselves in innovative ways. Should we be leveraging these intuitive interfaces, automated editing features, and the educational value of AI, so learners can embark on exciting creative journeys and unleash their imagination through image editing?
How do you envision primary children benefiting for AI-powered image editing tools? Share your thoughts and experiences in the STEM Community here:
https://community.stem.org.uk/discussion/using-ai-in-the-primary-classroom
Rachel Vidler
NCCE Specialist: Primary Upper Phase