Chennai: From running laboratory experiment simulations to generating higher-order thinking skill-based questions and conducting quizzes, class 11 and 12 govt and aided school teachers are set to be trained to use AI and information and communication technology (ICT) tools in the coming months.As the first step towards this initiative, the State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) has commenced a training session for around 90 resource persons in the city. These trainers will travel to schools and train the postgraduate teachers (those teaching class 11 and 12).Among the key tools include ‘Physics AI tools’, which helps design laboratory experiments and simulations for science subjects, enabling students to access experiments from smartboards in classrooms without going to laboratories. Gimkit, another application, allows teachers to create quizzes, generate questions for students, design fun games and help them review the answers.Adobe Express, Gemini Notebook will help teachers create digital notebook repositories. “Prompt engineering is also being taught to help teachers use free-to-use large language models easily. The idea is to use the smartboards in classrooms to the fullest without coding,” Srinivasan, a resource person said.Nearly 6,500 PG teachers in the city will benefit from the initiative. “This is only the first phase of the initiative, launched in Chennai. We plan on taking it to other districts as well. There will be doubt-clearing sessions available for teachers online, once they are all trained,” SCERT joint director C Amuthavalli said.Officials from the school education department said that the primary focus was on PG teachers for now, as classes 6-9 teachers were already incorporating AI and ICT technologies into their curriculum. “Under the TNSpark scheme (launched in 2024), more than 5000 govt and aided schools have received books to incorporate AI tools into learning,” an official said.
