The new reforms introduced in the Leaving Cert, which now allocate up to 40 percent of marks for coursework, have sparked concerns among secondary teachers. These changes require senior-cycle students to complete research investigations and project work in subjects like physics, biology, and chemistry starting from fifth year. However, the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) has warned that these reforms may increase the risk of cheating through the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
According to ASTI delegates at their annual conference, the advancements in AI make it easy for students to generate projects within minutes simply by inputting the title. This has raised concerns about fairness in the assessment process. The delegates urgently called for flexibility in the percentage of marks allocated to these projects, considering the potential influence of AI.
The concern is that the reforms, viewed as a political decision rather than an educational one by some teachers, could widen the social divide and exacerbate unequal access to resources. Unequal access to laboratories, technicians, high-tech equipment, and digital devices in schools may disadvantage certain students and create disparities in their outcomes.
ASTI President Geraldine O’Brien emphasized the need for considerable investment to bring laboratories up to the required standard across all schools, ensuring equal opportunities for all students. However, Minister for Education Norma Foley defended the reforms, stating that they aim to reduce the pressure faced by students during the written exams at the end of sixth year. She highlighted the desire among students to spread out the assessment load and avoid relying solely on a single day’s exam performance.
In addition to discussing the leaving cert reforms, the ASTI conference also addressed other issues in the education sector. One such issue was cyberbullying and cruelty on social media, which the Minister acknowledged as harmful to students, teachers, and broader society. The Minister introduced a new online safety code for social media companies, warning them of potential fines of up to €20 million if they fail to take action against such behavior.
The conference also highlighted the need to address the teacher shortage by attracting Irish teachers from abroad, particularly those in Dubai. Currently, teachers who have worked in private schools in non-EU countries must start at the lowest pay scale when they resume their careers in Ireland. The ASTI delegates called for full incremental credit for teachers’ work abroad and access to full-time permanent positions to make it financially viable for them to return.
While the reforms and issues discussed at the ASTI conference aim to improve the education system, there are concerns that they may inadvertently lead to problems such as cheating and a shortage of qualified teachers. Striking the right balance between introducing reforms, addressing social issues, and ensuring fairness and equal opportunities for all students remains a challenge for education authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How do the Leaving Cert reforms increase the risk of cheating?
The Leaving Cert reforms allocate a significant percentage of marks for coursework, which includes research investigations and projects. The use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology enables students to generate projects quickly by inputting the title, potentially raising concerns about unfair advantages and the risk of cheating.
2. What impact do these reforms have on access to resources?
Some teachers believe that the reforms may exacerbate existing inequalities in access to resources. Unequal access to laboratories, technicians, high-tech equipment, and digital devices in schools could disadvantage certain students, widening the social divide and potentially affecting their outcomes.
3. How is the Education Minister responding to concerns about the reforms?
Minister for Education Norma Foley defends the reforms, stating that they aim to reduce the pressure on students during the written exams. She highlights the desire among students to spread out the assessment load and emphasizes the importance of considering students’ needs in the overall education system.
4. What measures are being taken to address cyberbullying?
The Minister introduces a new online safety code for social media companies, informing them that they risk facing fines of up to €20 million if they do not take action against cyberbullying and cruelty on their platforms.
5. How is the teacher shortage being addressed?
The conference highlights the need to attract Irish teachers who are working abroad, especially in Dubai. Recommendations include granting full incremental credit for teachers’ work abroad and providing access to full-time permanent positions to ensure their return is financially viable.
The Leaving Cert reforms have sparked concerns among secondary teachers due to the potential risk of cheating through the use of artificial intelligence (AI). The advancements in AI technology make it easy for students to generate projects quickly by inputting the title, raising concerns about fairness in the assessment process. The Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) delegates have called for flexibility in the allocation of marks to these projects, considering the potential influence of AI. The concern is that these reforms, viewed as political decisions, could widen the social divide and exacerbate unequal access to resources within schools.
One of the main issues related to the reforms is the unequal access to laboratories, technicians, high-tech equipment, and digital devices in schools. This disparity in resources can disadvantage certain students and create disparities in their outcomes. ASTI President Geraldine O’Brien has emphasized the need for considerable investment to bring laboratories up to the required standard across all schools, ensuring equal opportunities for all students.
In defense of the reforms, Minister for Education Norma Foley has stated that they aim to reduce the pressure faced by students during the written exams at the end of sixth year. The reforms allow students to spread out the assessment load and avoid relying solely on a single day’s exam performance. However, there are concerns that these reforms may inadvertently lead to problems such as cheating and a shortage of qualified teachers.
In addition to the Leaving Cert reforms, the ASTI conference also addressed other issues in the education sector. One such issue is cyberbullying and cruelty on social media, which the Minister acknowledged as harmful to students, teachers, and broader society. To tackle this issue, the Minister introduced a new online safety code for social media companies, warning them of potential fines of up to €20 million if they fail to take action against such behavior.
Another issue discussed at the conference was the shortage of teachers in Ireland. The ASTI delegates called for measures to attract Irish teachers from abroad, specifically those working in Dubai. Currently, teachers who have worked in private schools in non-EU countries must start at the lowest pay scale when they resume their careers in Ireland. The delegates called for full incremental credit for teachers’ work abroad and access to full-time permanent positions to make it financially viable for them to return.
In conclusion, the reforms in the Leaving Cert and the issues discussed at the ASTI conference aim to improve the education system. However, there are concerns about potential cheating through the use of AI and the unequal access to resources in schools. Additionally, cyberbullying and the shortage of qualified teachers also need to be addressed. Striking the right balance between introducing reforms, addressing social issues, and ensuring fairness and equal opportunities for all students remains a challenge for education authorities.
For more information, you can visit the Association of Secondary Teachers Ireland (ASTI) website at https://www.asti.ie and the website of the Ministry of Education at https://www.education.ie.
The source of the article is from the blog anexartiti.gr