The principals of some of the reputable schools in Calcutta on Saturday discussed the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI)-based learning in classrooms.

While some principals spoke about the use of apps to explain various concepts to students, others pointed out the checks and balances that need to be in place.

The principals discussed how the use of AI has become inevitable while dealing with a generation that is “highly receptive” to such tools.

“This generation is much more comfortable in the virtual world and learning while navigating various apps. Our teachers use various age-appropriate apps in classrooms through smart boards. The students, too, have access to tablets which help them explore and learn, instead of just watching what the teacher is projecting on the smart boards,” said Anjana Saha, principal, Mahadevi Birla World Academy.

Citing an example, Saha said Class XI students are learning through an app concepts like parabola, ellipse and hyperbola, and also understanding the difference between two- and three-dimensional shapes

Animation, she said, helps them understand the formation of conics better.

Saha was speaking at the regional conference of the Indian Principals’ Network (IPN) at La Martiniere for Girls on Saturday.

The IPN is a network of school leaders of various boards that discusses best practices in teaching and learning.

Saturday’s discussions focussed on how schools are leading the digital transformation in the AI era.

The principals took part in two panel discussions — one was on “Digital transformation of Indian schools” and the other was on keeping a balance between artificial intelligence and human intelligence (HI).

“Digital transformation is inevitable in the world we live in. We want our children to be part of this change and we have to adequately prepare them. But simultaneously, we need to have policies and regulations in place,” said Rupkatha Sarkar, principal, La Martiniere for Girls.

Sarkar said that while digital transformation enables flexibility in learning and exchange of ideas with institutions worldwide, one has to be mindful of the threats, too.

Gargi Banerjee, the principal of Sri Sri Academy, said schools will have to equip teachers to be able to tackle this digital transformation.

“There has to be continuous professional development of teachers so they can understand and navigate technology. Else, they will fall behind,” she said.

The Covid pandemic opened up the varied possibilities of using technology in classrooms. Four years after the pandemic broke out, there is only more and more usage of the tech tools.

“But while we give the students access to devices and the internet, we have to constantly keep watch on what they are doing. Teachers are on constant vigil of the search history,” said Saha, of Mahadevi Birla World Academy.

She also stressed the need to cross-check information to prevent the possibility of students using content that is not authentic.

While digital invasion is inevitable, one principal raised the point whether the AI benefits will remain confined to only one group of children.

“While we are using AI in our classrooms and to plan lessons, are we underestimating the possibilities of children growing up in rural India? If we do not bring them in, we will lose out on a huge talent pool,” said Satabdi Bhattacharjee, principal, South City International School.

Darshan Mutha, director, Jain Futuristic Academy, was one of the panelists.

The speakers who took part in the panel discussion on striking a balance between AI and HI are Paromita Guha Ray, principal, Apeejay School, Park Street; Neeta Das, principal, Saluja Gold International School, Giridih (Jharkhand); Meghna Ghoshal, principal, Aditya Academy Senior Secondary, Dum Dum; Abhishek Kumar Yadav, academic director, Griffins International School, Kharagpur; and Manab Kumar Dey, principal, Mount Litera Zee School, Behrampore.