Design and Technology: Guide

AI provides innovative tools and approaches for teachers to enhance learning experiences. This guide delves into how AI applications in text-to-text, text-to-image, and image-to-image transformations can be effectively utilised by teachers within D&T education.

The use of AI as a pedagogical tool is relatively new (for example ChatGPT-3.5 was launched only in 2022), therefore contemporaneous research is limited. However, there are examples of practice shared here from teachers and conference papers used here to explain its potential within design and technology education.

Use of AI in Design and Technology

Text to text

Teachers can use text to text AI generators such as GPT-4, Google Gemini and Microsoft Copilot to create written resource materials, such as briefs, exemplar design specifications, subject knowledge quizzes, ideas for lesson planning (Ballam 2024) and stories about technology (Axell and Boström 2023).
Teachers can create revision materials such as mnemonics, poems and rhymes to aid retrieval practice using text to text AI tools.
Long passages of text can be easily summarised or broken down into bite sized chunks using text to text large language models (LLM) to aid with resource creation and differentiation.
Written materials can be produced that cite secondary sources for research within D&T using tools such as Perplexity.ai.

Text to Image

Teachers can create exemplar work quickly and effectively using text to image generative AI tools such as Midjourney, Dall-E or Adobe Firefly that can produce sketches in specific styles using specific techniques in seconds. They can also produce photographs of 3D prints, and prototypes made from specific materials.
Using the term ‘knolling’ in the prompt can enable the creation of birds’ eye view images or flat lay photographs which are excellent for showing product disassembly and ingredients breakdowns in food lessons. These images can be useful resources to aid discussion tasks.
Text to image tools can be used with students to enhance vocabulary skills through the writing of descriptive prompts to generate iterations for a design idea.
Whole class prompting activities can take place using Padlet’s ‘I can’t draw’ function. This could be used for literacy/ vocabulary development or could be used to create class discussion and games e.g. ‘who is the target market?’(Barrow 2024a)

Image to image

Image to image generative AI tools can enable less confident students to render simple sketches in high definition in vast range of materials. This is incredibly valuable in aiding confidence in visual communication and drawing ability.
Teachers can leverage AI to teach principles of design, such as balance, contrast, and harmony, by visually demonstrating these concepts through image modifications.

There are other more complex uses of AI in D&T currently being explored For example, using Blockade Labs to create immersive spaces integrated with Thinglink can be used to aid revision (Barrow 2024b).

The integration of AI into D&T education can revolutionise how design concepts are taught, understood, and applied. By incorporating AI tools in text-to-text, text-to-image, and image-to-image transformations, teachers can enhance the delivery and pedagogy of D&T. This not only makes the learning process more engaging and efficient but also prepares students for a future where technology is seamlessly integrated into the design and creative processes.

References

Axell, C. and Boström, J. (2023) “Unveiling Biases: An Exploration of ChatGPT-3.5-generated ‘Technology Stories’ ”, The 40th International Pupils’ Attitudes Towards Technology Conference Proceedings 2023, 1(October). Available at: https://openjournals.ljmu.ac.uk/PATT40/article/view/1369 (Accessed: 23 February 2024).

Ballam. R (2024) AI in Food Education, Futureminds Magazine; CLEAPSS.

https://sites.google.com/view/cleapss-futureminds/spring-2024/ai-in-food-education

Barrow. T. (2024a) Designing learning opportunities with AI image generation, Futureminds Magazine; CLEAPSS.

https://sites.google.com/view/cleapss-futureminds/spring-2024/ai-image-generation

Barrow. T. (2024b) Immersive Learning Spaces, Futureminds Magazine; CLEAPSS.

https://sites.google.com/view/cleapss-futureminds/spring-2024/immersive-learning-worlds

Charlwood. E (2024) AI and Computer Aided Design, Futureminds Magazine; CLEAPSS.

https://sites.google.com/view/cleapss-futureminds/spring-2024/cad-and-ai

Further reading

Futureminds Digital Magazine: AI Special Edition, CLEAPSS, 2024: https://sites.google.com/view/cleapss-futureminds/spring-2024

The AI Educator tool links, Jan 2024: https://www.theaieducator.io

30 Tools for the AI classroom: https://ditchthattextbook.com/ai-tools/