How students are exploring AI with AI for Good

In 2024 we launched our latest course, AI for Good. Much like our other free computing courses, AI for Good is tailored to Key Stage 3 and S2 curriculums and can be taught by both specialist and non-specialist computing teachers. During the eight-session course, students explore the social impact of AI and develop a prototype AI app for a community they care about.

Fraser Christie, Principal Teacher of Computing at St Paul’s RC Academy in Dundee, was among the first to teach the new course. Fraser began his Apps for Good journey by teaching our Innovate for Climate Change course as part of a lunchtime club. Since then he has gone on to teach Innovate for Climate Change to more students, become an Apps for Good Fellow and even won our Teacher of the Year Award in 2024.

One of the first things Fraser noticed when he began delivering our AI for Good course was the quality of the ready-made resources, he said “The resources are high-quality, they’re visually appealing, it’s a one-stop shop that doesn’t really require a lot of preparation on my part or any padding out - they’re good to go”.

When teachers sign up to teach AI for Good, or any of our free tech courses, they receive access to our ready-made resources and an eWorkbook for students, which means it’s simple to get started even for non-specialist computing teachers.

Jaime Beaumont, Head of Computer Science and Data Management from Stoke College is another Apps for Good Fellow who was keen to teach our AI for Good course. He agrees that the resources, which provide “a full project with a start and finish” are a real plus-point of the course, saving him valuable time: “[AIfG] provided a project and a set of lessons with resources. [This] would have taken me time to produce”

Artificial Intelligence is a complicated but important topic for young people. AI for Good can help teachers to introduce the concept of AI to students in a relevant and relatable way that also encourages them to use it for social impact. Fraser appreciated that the course gave students an opportunity to explore the pros and cons of AI. He said, “You've done the hard work for us with the AI for Good course, and made me think about bringing something more relevant to them into what we're doing.”

Fraser also noted that the course and this exploration of AI had taught students wider skills around discernment, which is valuable in today’s online culture. “[The AIfG course] helps students question what they're looking at online [...] it's given them the skill of discernment. If I hadn't been trialling the AI course I might not have touched on this with them.”

Jaime agreed that AI for Good is a great tool for teachers looking to get their students thinking about AI. He said, “AI really is the trending topic [...] it starts to demystify it a little bit.”

There’s no denying the gender gap in the digital world, and we’re really proud that young girls engage so well with Apps for Good courses. Fraser saw a really positive reaction from girls to the AI for Good course, “This program definitely suits [the agenda around getting more females into tech] because the teams that seem to be successful were the teams of girls with better soft skills.”

We also spoke to some very enthusiastic students in Fraser’s group following the course. They were inspired by the ‘for good’ aspect of the course, and enjoyed being able to take action on the things they really care about. Ania said, “It does feel good, knowing that you're able to address what you actually care about. It does feel like you're actually able to change something in the world, you're actually able to be part of solving problems.” Madieson agreed, saying, “It's a good opportunity for pupils to see what they really want to speak about. It's their time to shine and to talk about something like they're really passionate about and really care about. Their voice needs to be heard.”

If you’re interested in teaching AI for Good or any of our other free computing courses in your school, you can book a 1:1 session with our Education Community Manager and former teacher, Kathy, who can help you get started. Alternatively, you can drop an email to kathy.sheppard-barnes@appsforgood.org.