#324 Teachers who Create using AI: Unlocking Innovation to Transform Education

Episode Overview In this episode of The EdTech Podcast, we bring together three educators who have moved beyond using AI—to actively creating with it. From building bespoke tools and secure large language models to designing simple, classroom-ready solutions, this conversation explores what it means to be an educator–creator in an AI-driven world. Chris Loveday shares how his college has developed over 20 AI-powered agents to support both operational efficiency and student experience, including a fully safeguarded internal large language model designed with education-specific guardrails. His work highlights critical themes of digital equity, safeguarding, and the importance of keeping humans firmly in the loop. Aaron Patching brings a practical, classroom-level perspective—demonstrating how teachers can use tools like Canva and low-code platforms to solve everyday challenges. From interactive recall quizzes to real-time navigation tools for parents' evenings, he shows how small, purposeful innovations can have a big impact on workload and engagement. Dan Comber explores how AI can transform static school resources into dynamic, interactive experiences. From chatbot-powered policy access to rethinking how students and parents engage with key information, his work focuses on accessibility, communication, and embedding AI into school culture—not just as a tool, but as part of how systems operate. Across the conversation, a shared message emerges: successful AI integration in education is not about the technology itself, but about solving real problems, building staff confidence, and maintaining a strong ethical and human-centred approach. The episode also tackles key challenges, including staff training, sustainability, data privacy, and the need for clear governance. Whether you're just starting out or already experimenting, this episode offers practical insights, honest reflections, and a powerful reminder—AI in education isn't something happening to us, it's something we can actively shape. Chris Loveday: linkedin.com/in/chris-loveday-5b712622b/  Aaron Patching: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-patching/ Dan Comber: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-comber-teacher/  Chapters 00:00 Introduction to AI in Education 02:50 Creating Bespoke AI Solutions 05:48 Student-Centric AI Tools 08:46 Empowering Educators with AI 11:24 Innovative Approaches to Teaching 14:20 Bridging the Gap with AI 14:49 Overcoming Resistance to AI 16:54 Interactive Learning with AI 20:03 The Future of AI in Education 25:51 Building Effective Data Systems in Education 27:02 Exploring AI's Role in Education 29:26 Engaging Staff with AI Technology 31:49 Implementing AI in the Classroom 33:13 Educating Students on AI Literacy 35:31 The Importance of Continuous Training 37:46 Practical Tools for Teachers 41:42 Sustainability and AI in Education 45:36 Advice for Educators Embracing AI 52:22 NEWCHAPTER   Resources   AI and Education Steering Panel - https://aieducation.org Canva - https://www.canva.com Claude AI - https://www.anthropic.com ChatGPT - https://chat.openai.com Google AI Tools - https://ai.google/