Responsible Use of AI and Emerging Technologies in Teaching and Learning

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Responsible Use of AI in teaching and learning

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is quickly becoming part of daily life. In education, AI can personalise learning, support marking, generate lesson materials, and even help teachers manage administrative tasks. However, using AI in schools also requires responsibility and awareness. You must make sure AI supports learning in a fair, ethical, and safe way.

As AI becomes part of teaching and learning, it is essential to think about:

  1. How learner data is collected and protected
  2. Whether AI tools treat all students fairly
  3. Who is responsible when AI makes mistakes
  4. How students can use AI responsibly
  5. How AI use affects creativity, effort, and academic honesty

For this case, you are supposed to play a key role in guiding students to use AI wisely and helping schools build trust in new technologies. Therefore, you should consider the following ethical principles:

  1. Privacy & Data Security – Ensure learner information is safe and not shared without permission.
  2. Bias & Fairness – Watch for AI results that may favour certain groups or languages.
  3. Accountability & Responsibility – A human teacher remains responsible, not the AI tool.
  4. Autonomy & Agency – Help students think for themselves, not rely completely on AI.
  5. Quality & Effectiveness – Check that AI outputs are correct and relevant.
  6. Use of AI-Generated Content – Guide students to cite AI support and avoid plagiarism.
  7. Transparency & Explainability – Be clear about when and how AI is being used.

Here are examples of ethical issues you may face:

Scenario 1: A student submits an essay that seems “too perfect.”
AI may have written it. Encourage students to use AI as a learning tool, not a replacement for thinking. Ask them to explain their writing, draft by hand sometimes, or show prompts used.

Scenario 2: Using an AI practice app that collects student names and marks.
Before using technology, check where learner data goes. Avoid sharing full names or sensitive information if privacy is not clear.

Scenario 3: AI tool gives wrong explanation in Kiswahili science content.
AI can make mistakes, especially with local curriculum or Kiswahili terms. Teachers must review content before using it in class.

Scenario 4: Students with smartphones use AI tools, but others do not have access.
Ensure fairness by balancing AI tasks with low-tech alternatives and encouraging group work so all learners benefit.

Preventing Academic Misuse

AI can encourage plagiarism if not guided well. To prevent this you should:

  1. Set clear rules about acceptable AI use
  2. Design tasks requiring personal reflection and real examples
  3. Ask students to record steps taken (not only final answers)
  4. Use handwritten work and oral explanations where appropriate

You have to support Students to Use AI Responsibly, so you have to;

  1. Discuss ethics and digital citizenship during lessons
  2. Demonstrate how to fact-check AI responses
  3. Encourage curiosity, not shortcuts
  4. Teach learners how to ask AI good questions and evaluate results

Useful Guidelines and Resources

AI ethical guidelines and teacher resources:

AI can make teaching more efficient and exciting in Tanzania, but only when used responsibly. Teachers are role models in guiding safe, fair, and creative AI use. By protecting student privacy, ensuring fairness, and promoting independent thinking, we prepare learners for a future where AI is part of everyday life.

Last modified: Friday, 5 December 2025, 3:48 PM