Could computers mark pupils' work to save teachers time?

Could computers mark pupils’ work to save teachers time? Nadhim Zahawi believes technology could help reduce work by carrying out simple marking

Nadhim Zahawi is interested in emerging automation technology for the future
It could free up teachers to spend more time in the classroom with their students
It is understood he wants to explore how (AI) might work in British classrooms
But he maintains that it must always be teachers themselves making decisions

Computers could one day help reduce teachers’ workload by carrying out simple marking, the new Education Secretary believes.

Nadhim Zahawi is interested in emerging automation technology which could in future free up teachers to spend more time in the classroom.

After settling into his new role, it is understood he wants to explore how artificial intelligence (AI) might make teaching more efficient.

But he maintains it must always be teachers themselves making decisions, especially when it comes to complicated or nuanced work.

Nadhim Zahawi (pictured) is interested in emerging automation technology which could in future free up teachers to spend more time in the classroom

A Government source said: ‘Decisions will always be made by humans, but we are interested in ways that technology can help teachers and students.’

The Department for Education is already funding research into apps which can help teachers.

In October last year it launched a research drive in partnership with technology charity Nesta.

During the project, experts created six computer programmes based on comments from teachers about their needs.

Evaluations of all the software will be published in December.

However, department sources said automated marking is still in the early research stages and there are no plans to roll it out.