UT contributes to new AI literacy framework for schools

How can schools ensure that teachers and other education professionals can use AI responsibly? A new framework by Kennisnet helps primary and secondary schools in the Netherlands work on this. The University of Twente contributed to the development of the framework, led by Prof. Dr Kim Schildkamp.

AI is changing education and the way education professionals work. This requires new knowledge and skills, also referred to as AI literacy. The AI Literacy Framework for Primary and Secondary Education helps schools identify the development they need to work on in this area.

Bringing UT knowledge into educational practice

This framework was developed on the basis of the Npuls AI-GO framework for AI-literacy, to which Kim Schildkamp, Ilona Friso-van den Bos and Maarten Renkema contributed. Based on this framework, Kennisnet, in collaboration with the University of Twente (UT), developed a version specifically for primary and secondary education. Prof. Dr Kim Schildkamp made an important contribution to the development of this new version, drawing on her expertise.

The framework follows the structure of the learning objectives for digital literacy: Competent, Critical and Creative. It adds a fourth dimension, Professional, focusing on the knowledge and skills needed to use AI responsibly in professional practice.

The collaboration shows how research can contribute to current challenges in society. By bringing together expertise from research and educational practice, Kennisnet and UT have developed a practical framework that schools can use to take concrete steps towards AI literacy.

From basic to expert level

The framework distinguishes several levels of AI literacy, ranging from basic to advanced and expert level. The basic level applies to everyone, including teachers and staff who do not work with AI themselves. They also need to understand how AI affects their work.

The knowledge and skills required at the professional level may differ depending on a person's role or position. Further development of this level will follow at a later stage.

A toolkit to help schools get started

The framework comes with a toolkit that helps school leaders and teams identify and prioritise their development needs. It can, for example, be used during professional development or team days and includes:

• the AI Literacy Framework, including explanations
• a compact version of the framework
• background information on how the framework was developed
• a self-assessment for the basic level
• a PowerPoint presentation for a team session on AI literacy

The self-assessment and team session help schools determine what they need to achieve the basic level. Schools can adapt the presentation to their own situation.

More information and webinar

The toolkit and the AI Literacy Framework for Primary and Secondary Education are available through Kennisnet.

On 11 November, Kennisnet will host a webinar for school leaders and others interested in AI literacy. The webinar will explain how schools can use the framework and toolkit to work on professional development around AI literacy.