Beyond the Tool: Embracing AI as a Teammate in the Classroom

In our rapidly evolving tech landscape, AI is a present reality as opposed to a futuristic concept. AI has already generated new job opportunities as well as creating a skills gap in the workforce, and learning how to use it responsibly is essential for young people. But as AI integrates into every facet of life, a deeper critical question emerges: are we teaching young people to simply use these tools, or are we empowering them to lead with them?

Our AI for Good course helps students get to grips with the fundamentals of AI, machine learning and generative AI, building their knowledge and understanding whilst considering ethics and issues of bias. We know from our network of teachers that this type of learning is needed in schools today.

In his Forbes piece, Dan Fitzpatrick highlighted the OECD’s 2030 framework which puts student agency at the heart of learning. He describes Dr. Sabba Quidwai’s important framing of AI as a ‘teammate’ and not a ‘tool’, and how we need to help students maintain and grow their agency, even in this ‘AI era’. This is an important part of our approach at Apps for Good; while we must ensure that our courses are developing young people’s AI awareness and literacy, this can’t come at the expense of student-driven creativity and innovation.

West Bromwich Collegiate Academy (WBCA) has long been a pioneer in Apps for Good’s schools network. For years, they have delivered Apps for Good courses to help bring their school ethos of "Being Decent" to life. L4L Director Zoe Maisey explains that the agency built into the courses allows students to put their values into practice: "They are creating an app for a cause that means something to them. They think about ways they can improve life for communities that are close to them... they are thinking more altruistically."

In the 2024/25 academic year, WBCA took a bold step forward by launching AI for Good, one of our most recent courses, with their Year 8 learners.

The school saw a massive wave of engagement, with 50 teams entering the Apps for Good Showcase. The feedback from the students highlights why this critical approach to AI is so effective:

• 66% of surveyed students enjoyed learning about AI
• 70% reported improved essential skills
• 70% reported increased confidence in computing
• 69% felt more knowledgeable about about how AI can be used to take action on social issues
• 42% said that as a result of taking part in the course, they are more interested in a career where they use digital technology to take action on social issues

One student said “I liked coding my app and learning about AI, as it gives me an insight into the future and what jobs may be available.”

One standout example of the "AI as a teammate" approach is Team Baby Bloom, finalists in the Future Founders category of our 2025 Showcase. Recognising the worries faced by first-time parents, the team developed an app idea and prototype that uses AI to provide reliable information and a supportive chatbot for reassurance.

For team member Tasneem, the course was a revelation. "I considered programming a really hard thing that I wouldn’t be able to do," she admits. "But after seeing what it's really like, and seeing all the job possibilities... I feel like I want to explore more of them." Tasneem’s journey perfectly captures our mission: "Now I see that AI, even though it has its negatives, has positives to it because if you use it right, it could really benefit the world."

As Sathish Sivasubramanian, Head of Computing at The St Marylebone CE School, puts it: "AI is inevitable. We should be prepared for it, and we have a responsibility to teach our students how to use it safely and correctly." By moving beyond the basics and focusing on critical thinking and social impact, we aren't just teaching young people to code. We are teaching them to care, to lead, and to innovate.

We were delighted to name West Bromwich Collegiate Academy as our School of The Year 2025. Read more about their experience of delivering Apps for Good!

Sign up to our newsletter or follow us on social media to hear more about our new AI focused course, coming this Autumn term.