The German education system is faced with the task of exploiting the potential of generative artificial intelligence while at the same time recognizing its limitations. The Standing Scientific Commission has published an impulse paper with which it aims to contribute to the discussion on the use of AI in education. The increasing availability of AI technologies opens up new opportunities for promoting learning and education. The aim of the impulse paper is to spark a discussion about the use of AI in education and to provide suggestions for research and development tasks. By considering the limits of artificial intelligence, the education system can ensure that these technologies are used in a responsible manner.
Key recommendations of the position paper
Testing and development phase
An important step for the successful introduction of AI is a transition phase in which LLM can be systematically tested. During this transition phase, teachers, researchers and experts from subject didactics, media psychology, media didactics and state institutes should work closely together. The aim is to explore and develop the potential of LLM for the educational context.
Qualification of teachers
An important aspect is the qualification of teachers in order to prepare them for the use of LLM. To this end, rapid, systematic and scientifically supported training courses should be developed.
Subject-specific training data
High-quality, subject-specific data is required for the use of LLM in the educational context. To this end, findings from teaching and learning research should be adapted to the development of specific LLM for the educational context.
Use of LLM
The use of LLM should be adapted to the respective educational stages: In elementary school and at the beginning of lower secondary level, it seems appropriate to largely dispense with LLM. By the end of lower secondary school, LLM tools should be increasingly used to create and revise texts.
Changing the examination culture
In process-oriented examination formats, adept collaboration with generative AI should be practiced and tested as a learning objective. AI-based tools can support teachers, but the responsibility for assessment must remain in human hands.
Create framework conditions
Government organizations should ensure that all learners and teachers in educational institutions have access to AI systems (at low cost or free of charge). In addition to current LLM approaches, the further development and use of AI-based approaches for individual support should also be systematically promoted.
Integration of LLM in learning platforms
Education policy must therefore integrate LLM into suitable learning platforms or develop commons alternatives whose functional scope and distortions are known and can be freely researched.
About the Standing Scientific Commission (SWK)
The Standing Scientific Commission (SWK) is an independent advisory body that advises the federal states on shaping education policy. The SWK is made up of 16 highly qualified academics from various disciplines. This broad range of experts enables the Commission to develop a comprehensive perspective on education policy issues. The aim is to provide evidence-based recommendations for tackling current educational policy challenges.
This text was created with the help of AI and revised by a human editor.