This September, many teachers may find themselves with extra time on their hands, thanks to a new AI assistant developed by Oak National Academy. The tool, named Aila, promises to cut down the often daunting task of lesson planning, giving educators back a precious resource—time.
Pepe Di’Iasio, General Secretary at the ASCL school leaders’ union, put it simply: Aila might just “give teachers their Sunday nights back.”
A Teacher’s Time Saver
According to a recent study, teachers using Aila are already reporting significant benefits. One of the most compelling findings came from qualitative research involving around 60 teachers, who found that Aila saved them an average of 3.5 hours per week on lesson planning. Given the time pressures on educators, this AI tool is seen as a potential game-changer.
Designed based on Oak’s curriculum principles, Aila allows teachers to customize lessons to suit their classroom’s specific needs, all while leveraging the speed and efficiency of AI. John Roberts, Oak National Academy’s Director of Product and Engineering, emphasized that this tool is built by teachers, for teachers, saying, “This is our first step to unleashing teachers’ creativity through this technology.“
For many, the timing couldn’t be better. With the new academic year underway, lesson planning often consumes evenings and weekends, leaving educators struggling to balance work and personal life. The possibility of reclaiming those hours is a significant relief to teachers across the UK.
Oak’s Push into AI
Oak National Academy has dedicated substantial funding to this AI initiative, with £2 million set aside for AI development, alongside an additional £43 million for curriculum improvements. Aila has been tested by thousands of teachers over the last six months, with Oak pledging to “continually evaluate” the tool to ensure high-quality and unbiased resources.
While Aila’s early success suggests it could revolutionize lesson planning, Oak Academy is keenly aware of the potential risks of using AI in education. Concerns around AI’s ability to deliver accurate, unbiased, and safe resources persist, and Oak has made clear that ongoing assessment will be crucial to address these issues.
The AI Future in Education
Aila’s launch is part of a broader trend toward AI in education. From personalized learning tools to AI-driven content creation, the integration of technology in the classroom is growing rapidly. The UK government has also recognized this shift, recently announcing a £3 million investment into an AI content store for education.
However, Aila is not just about efficiency—it’s also about enhancing creativity. By streamlining time-consuming tasks like lesson planning, the tool allows teachers to focus on what truly matters: delivering high-quality, personalized learning experiences to their students.
But is AI the future of education? It’s too early to say for sure, but tools like Aila are taking bold steps toward integrating technology in a meaningful way. For now, teachers can enjoy the immediate benefits of having more time, and who knows—perhaps more energy to inspire their students.
Conclusion
As Aila rolls out across the country, schools will be watching closely to see whether this AI assistant can truly deliver on its promise. While the initial response has been positive, the tool’s ability to consistently provide high-quality resources without bias will determine its long-term success.
For now, one thing is clear: Aila is here to save teachers time—and possibly transform the way lesson planning is done. Could this be the start of a new era in education?
Summary
- Oak National Academy launches “Aila,” an AI lesson planning tool aimed at saving teachers time while allowing personalized resources.
- Teachers report saving an average of 3.5 hours per week on lesson planning with Aila.
- Aila has been tested by thousands of teachers and will be continually evaluated for quality and accuracy.
- Concerns about AI in education include potential bias and the safety of resources.
