Origin AI assistant supports educators by streamlining administrative tasks
Life
Almost 50 schools across Ireland have signed up to a new programme by US EdTech company Merlyn Mind and The Learnovate Centre to pilot a ground-breaking AI assistant tool for teachers.
The programme is the largest trial of the Merlyn Origin AI assistant outside of North America.
Supported by Learnovate, the learning technology research centre in Trinity College Dublin, the programme will see 300 teachers across 48 post-primary and primary schools utilise the Merlyn Origin AI technology in the classroom to provide students with a personalised, dynamic and interactive learning experience.
The Merlyn Origin AI assistant tool been designed to support educators by streamlining the administrative and repetitive aspects of teaching. By leveraging generative AI, the system enables teachers to create lesson plans, generate grading rubrics and acquire instant feedback from their students with the push of a button.
It also offers unique voice-controlled technology that allows teachers to operate classroom devices – from computers to front-of-class displays – entirely hands-free, freeing them up to focus on engaging directly with students.
Phase one of the Irish pilot scheme during the academic year, just ended. Researchers will then incorporate feedback from teachers and learners into the technology ahead of phase two beginning at the start of the 2025 academic year. It is hoped the success of the pilot will lead to a wider take-up of the technology in Irish classrooms.
Merlyn Origin is actively used in more than 10,000 classrooms across the US where studies have found it to be effective at helping teachers reduce time spent on administrative tasks, leaving more time for teaching and learning, in as little as seven weeks.
Research has also found that teachers using Merlyn experience reduced stress caused by technology tools and processes required in their work.
Jason Mayland, vice president of international business development at Merlyn Mind, said: “We’re extremely excited to begin piloting our Merlyn Origin AI assistant in 48 schools across Ireland. This is the largest trial of our technology in classrooms outside North America where we’ve already seen Merlyn Origin produce fantastic results in terms of reducing technostress and time teachers spend on administrative tasks.
“We’re grateful to The Learnovate Centre, with whom we are a patron member, for its support on this project, which is a key milestone on our journey to bring Merlyn Mind to the European market.”
TechCentral Reporters
