Enhancing AI skills at HMP Preston

Learners on the Novus Business Enterprise course at HMP Preston have been enhancing their digital literacy skills. Karina, the course teacher has been using a blended learning approach, combining traditional face-to-face teaching with online learning activities, which has allowed learners to access materials and complete assignments at their own pace, promoting flexibility. 

Using prompt sheets to enhance digital skills 

Within the Business Enterprise course, the blended learning approach has been encouraged with the use of prompt sheets, with learners embracing the online learning activities and engaging in the class. 

A learner on the Business Enterprise course, independently completed the prompt sheet provided for ‘Ask the Famous Person’ generator, where he asked Bill Gates:

‘How can a profit and loss analysis help to budget money effectively within a business?’ 

The prompt answer was then displayed on the board in class, and the learner was given the opportunity to research and paraphrase to incorporate his findings into his work, which also gave the teacher the opportunity to promote the reading strategy in class through research and analysis. 

Another learner used his own initiative and used the ‘Ask the Expert’ generator, to ask a financial advisor: 

‘What is the threshold at which a company requires to register for VAT?’ 

With this new knowledge and memory recall application, the learners answer was significantly enhanced. With his written evidence, supported through knowledge regarding a CT600 document, the research has now provided him the knowledge that the income of a business is £85000 threshold prior to paying tax. 

The strategic approach to blended learning has supported learners in securing knowledge at a higher level, enhancing their learning experience as well as developing their digital skills. By embracing digital literacy on the Business Enterprise Course, learners will be better equipped for the demands of the modern world, fostering a more inclusive and empowered learning environment.

 Karina, the Business Enterprise teacher commented positively on incorporating digital into her classroom delivery:

“Prompt craft is now an effective tool to promote AI in my classroom, as learners regularly use their initiative to hand-write a brief description and a question prior to submitting this to me. I then use this as an opportunity to input the learner’s description written on the prompt craft into TeacherMatic, resulting in an on-the-spot live demonstration to interact with a Chat AI. 

Results have been used to promote HMP Preston’s Reading Strategy and promote healthy cooperative classroom debate. Moreover, AI can assist in identifying gaps in my own knowledge and provide targeted resources to address those gaps in a collaborative way which, also enhances my own CPD.”

A learner also commented positively on the use of AI in the classroom:

“As a student using AI chat it brought a different vibe around the classroom. Myself and a lot of my peers felt a lot more engaged as it felt like our role models such as Simon Cowell and Lord Alan Sugar was giving their point of view on the topic that was spoken about when asking the famous person. 

Whilst getting the experts point of view it was very professional and gave a whole different insight and perspective on the topic. This was a lot different to normal classroom settings learning from the use of AI chat instead of reading from a PowerPoint or learning from a textbook. This was more productive as using AI chat has helped me remember encouraging advice by linking it to the experts and famous people. 

Overall, I feel like the use of AI chat in the classroom was positive as it was different and the use of activities in a classroom made it more engaging for myself and a lot of my peers when asking their opinion on it. It created a good sense of humour around the classroom creating a good environment.”

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