Supporting Educators in Vocational Institutions to Integrate AI into Teaching and Learning

Dr Choo Pei Ling asked the Minister for Education (a) how the Ministry is supporting educators in vocational institutions to integrate artificial intelligence into teaching and learning; (b) whether dedicated time or resources are provided for such educators to build capability in this area; and (c) how is the effectiveness of such efforts evaluated.

Lecturers in the polytechnics and Institute of Technical Education (ITE) are encouraged and supported to incorporate artificial intelligence (AI) effectively in their teaching and learning. All new lecturers are required to undergo training to build up their competencies in AI. This includes understanding the use of AI tools in lesson design and assessment. New lecturers are also trained to understand their students' learning needs, so that the use of AI is grounded in sound pedagogy and complements learning outcomes. For example, new lecturers are taught how to harness AI to analyse student data and provide customised feedback.

Polytechnics and ITE also offer AI competency training to refresh and upgrade the skillsets of in-service lecturers through AI-related Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programmes. To enable lecturers to reap the benefits of AI, all institutions provide lecturers with AI tools that support a range of teaching and learning functions ranging from designing lesson materials to learning analytics. In addition, lecturers are involved in industry collaborations, such as industry attachments and consultancy projects, that help develop their domain-specific AI competencies. These experiences and insights are incorporated into curricula. The CPD programmes are regularly reviewed, taking in insights from pre- and post-training assessments and feedback from lecturers.

At the sector-wide level, the polytechnics and ITE have communities of practice for lecturers to share best practices, facilitate collaboration and drive experimentation of AI across institutions. The Ministry of Education recently established a new Committee for AI in Higher Education, chaired by the Minister for Education, and involving Presidents of autonomous universities, and Principals/CEOs of the polytechnics and ITE. The Committee will provide strategic direction across Institutes of Higher Learning on key AI priorities, including AI in teaching and learning.