AI-powered project backed by The British Council improves student understanding and critical thinking in maths
The British Council is supporting educational improvement through the Action Research program, funding various projects worldwide, including schemes focused on leadership, CPD and technology to help address global challenges in education.
Presentation of the Action Research Programme
A new publication, Action Research for Schools: Global Stories of School Improvement, presents the findings of the projects, aiming to help schools worldwide address similar challenges.
The British Council Partner School’s Action Research program supported 12 researchers from nine countries - Pakistan, Egypt, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Ghana, Jordan, Zimbabwe, Peru, and Colombia.
The projects have revealed key insights into the use of technology, teacher development and leadership as drivers of educational improvement, with many projects using digital learning, artificial intelligence (AI) and online platforms.
In Colombia, tenth grade students used AI platform Educo, giving students in the maths department tools for interactive, student-centered teaching. After the trial, 29 percent of students reported increased confidence in solving mathematical problems and 56 percent said the program had helped them think more critically. A significant majority of students (87 percent) said the program’s step-by-step problem solving was ‘highly useful’.
The researchers concluded that AI technologies should be implemented in other areas of the curriculum, adding that the technology underscores the importance of ongoing teacher training and the development of pedagogical strategies that effectively integrate these technologies to maximize impact on learning and teaching.
Research into the use of CPD found that group reflection on individually completed training can lead to greater gains in teaching quality and student outcomes than isolated professional development.
"Twelve educators, empowered by the British Council, turned research into real-world impact – driving change in their schools and inspiring progress across the global education community," explains Thomas Evans, Education Support Manager for British Council Partner Schools.
The British Council is now launching the second year of the Action Research program, awarding grants to 13 new research projects.
