The University of Washington created a platform called Colleague to help K-12 teachers save time and improve their lesson plans. The platform uses AI and chatbots to provide tutorial videos, editable lesson plans, generative AI prompts for visual aids, and a repository of curated educational resources. This platform aims to help teachers align their lessons with local standards and curriculum, and make content inclusive for students with disabilities and who are English Language Learners. Colleague currently focuses on math lessons but is planning to expand to other subjects, starting with computer science and other STEM subjects in the future.
Colleague uses AI to evaluate lesson plans against 10 parameters and provides feedback for improvement. This feature allows teachers to receive specific suggestions on enhancing the relevance, inclusion, and overall quality of their lesson plans. In a time where AI tools are increasingly being used in education, Colleague provides a resource for teachers to create research-based lesson plans with vetted materials and support for multiple languages. The platform aims to help teachers save time while also assisting them in growing their teaching practice.
AI tools in education have been gaining momentum, with companies like MagicSchool AI and platforms like Khan Academy incorporating AI into educational products. However, there are concerns about the appropriate use of AI in the classroom, particularly related to potential plagiarism or cheating by students. Recent research suggests that these worries may be unfounded, and efforts are being made to develop guidelines for responsibly integrating AI into schools. Legislation is being introduced to address the integration of AI tools in education, providing guidance for educators, students, and families on the use of AI technology in learning environments.
Tim Chalberg, a math specialist in Tacoma Public Schools, has found Colleague to be a valuable tool in saving time and improving his teaching practice. The platform has enabled him to spend less time on creating multilingual questions for math assignments and generate new ideas quickly. As schools and districts navigate the proper use of AI tools in classrooms, Chalberg believes that district policies will drive adoption of platforms like Colleague. The team behind Colleague plans to expand resources to other subjects and ensure the tool remains relevant by updating information on state standards regularly. The platform will continue to be available for free, with plans to seek support from public and private foundations in the future.
The development of AI tools like Colleague represents a shift towards using technology to support teachers in creating effective and inclusive lesson plans. By leveraging AI and chatbots, educators can save time and enhance the quality of their teaching materials. As the field of AI in education continues to grow, efforts are underway to establish guidelines for responsible AI use in schools. By providing resources like Colleague, educators can benefit from innovative technology while maintaining the integrity of their teaching practice and meeting the diverse needs of their students.
