How AI is Being Used in the Classroom & What That Means for Hiring
Default Author • April 17, 2025
How AI is Being Used in the Classroom & What That Means for Hiring
โAustralian teaching is a distinctly different reality today than it was just a couple of years ago. With artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT becoming more prevalent in classrooms across the country, and the introduction of the National Framework for Generative AI in Schools, AI tech is making ripples in education.
We’ll explore what AI in the classroom looks like in Aussie schools and what AI means for the future of education recruitment in Australia.
How Teachers Are Using AI in the Classroom
One way AI tools are being used in the classroom is in assisting teachers with their daily tasks. Drafting lesson plans, creating quizzes to help students understand texts, and generating discussion questions, are all ways that AI tools are helping teachers save time and focus more on student engagement. One example of these tools is the platform Kuraplan, designed specifically for the Australian curriculum. Another is Brisbane Catholic Education’s Catholic CoPilot, a chatbot customised to assist teachers with lesson planning and administrative tasks in a Catholic education setting.โ BCE says the pilot saved about 9.3 hours on administrative tasks per week for each teacher.
Learning Opportunities for Students
It goes without saying that, of all the people in Australian education, students were the first to jump on the AI bandwagon, for better or worse! AI’s capabilities in providing (sneaky) assignment help have, of course, driven this adoption.
In fact, it’s thanks to students leading the charge that we now have things like the National Framework for Generative AI in Schools. The Framework was developed in response to how quickly AI tools like ChatGPT were being used by students, often before schools even had a policy in place. So yes, you could say students forced the grown-ups to catch up.
But here’s the good news: with the right guidance, students can use these tools in meaningful and productive ways. We’re seeing Gen AI being used to:
- Support research by quickly summarising sources or simplifying complex concepts
- Spark creative thinking when they’re stuck on a project
- Draft ideas and get instant feedback on their writing or code
- Explore concepts in maths, science or history in new and engaging ways
- Create multimedia content for digital projects or presentations
Of course, this kind of use only works when students are taught how to use AI responsibly. That involves thinking critically about what it produces, citing their sources, and understanding when not to use it (like during assessments!). That’s where the role of teachers becomes so important: not just as facilitators, but as digital mentors.
Realistically, if students are going to grow up in an AI-powered world, it makes sense to help them learn how to work with these tools now in a safe and structured way, rather than pretending they don’t exist.
What This Means for Teacher Recruitment
As AI tools find a permanent seat in the classroom, they're also shaking up what schools look for when hiring teachers. There’s a growing demand for educators who are confident using technology and open to integrating it into their teaching.
Reduced Burnout and Improved Teacher Retention
According to a 2023 report from the Black Dog Institute, nearly 47% of Australian educators were thinking about leaving the profession within a year due to burnout and mental health challenges. Yep, almost half!
One of the big culprits for teacher stress is admin overload. This is where AI has real potential to make a difference. By automating admin tasks, AI can give teachers more time to focus on students, and maybe even a lunch break that doesn’t involve eating at a photocopier. Less admin = better mental health = teachers sticking around longer. Good retention allows schools to hire more efficiently and engage with teacher recruitment specialists (like us) more proactively.
Digital and AI Skills Are Critical
As AI becomes a bigger part of learning, schools are looking for teachers who can do more than just use the tools. They also need to teach with them, about them, and around them.
Today’s students need guidance to safely navigate a world full of AI-generated content. That means helping them think critically about what AI tells them, how to protect their data, and when to trust (or challenge) the results. The OECD has highlightedthese digital literacy skills as must-haves for future-ready learners, and that means they’re now must-haves for teachers, too.
BDO points out that educators also need to get comfortable with things like:
- What generative AI is and how it works in a learning context
- How to apply it responsibly in the classroom
- Where the risks lie (bias and privacy concerns)๏ปฟ
The catch? Over two-thirds of Aussie teachers still find the Digital Technologies Curriculum (DTC) a struggle. So, it’s clear that supporting teacher development in this space is essential for schools. Where education leaders are unable to provide this development to their current teaching workforce, they will need a teacher recruitment strategy that addresses their skills gaps.
But Let’s Not Forget the Human Stuff
All the digital skills in the world won’t replace what really makes a great teacher. We still need people who can encourage students’ curiosity, adapt to different learning styles, and build real connections with them. In fact, those human-centred skills, like empathy, creativity, and patience, are becoming even more valuable in a tech-heavy classroom. Students that improve do so because they received plenty of encouragement and support from their teachers to persevere. In other words: AI can help, but teachers with heart still lead.
Summary
AI is changing the game in Australian education. There are immediate and long-term benefits in reducing administrative tasks and enabling teachers to spend more time with students. But even with the rise of digital tools, one thing remains clear: great teaching still comes down to great teachers.
Hire Educators with Inspired Recruitment
If you’re looking to hire educators with the skills for both the human and high-tech sides of learning, get in touch with the team at Inspired Recruitment. We specialise in connecting schools with forward-thinking teachers who are ready for the classroom of the future.
The role of teachers in Australian primary and secondary schools is changing faster than ever. It’s not just about standing at the front of the classroom and delivering content anymore. Expectations, responsibilities and even the skills required are changing for teaching jobs. Influences like technology, student well-being, and broader educational reforms are reshaping what it means to teach today. So, beyond ticking the boxes of teacher skills assessments, what are schools really looking for and what are the key teaching skills in demand? Personalised and Student-Centred Learning One of the biggest changes is the move towards personalised learning. No two students are the same, and schools are recognising that. Teachers are now encouraged to use adaptive digital platforms that adjust lessons to suit each student’s pace, especially in literacy and numeracy. But it doesn’t stop with software. Project-based and inquiry-based learning are on the rise, too. These are approaches that put students in the driver’s seat and help them develop critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. The role of the teacher is more of a facilitator and coach, than a one-size-fits-all instructor. Technology and Digital Tools As we’ve learned from the pandemic, technology has a major role to play in supporting education. Today’s teachers are expected to easily incorporate digital tools into their classrooms, such as interactive learning platforms like Mathletics and Reading Eggs and AI-powered assessment tools . Plus, the ability to shift between in-person, remote, and hybrid teaching is now one of the key teaching skills in demand. Digital literacy is now as fundamental as lesson planning. More Focus on Student Well-Being Teaching has always been about more than academics, but in recent years student well-being has become a central part of the role. Teachers are increasingly seen as frontline supporters of mental health, emotional resilience and social development for their students. Flexible curricula and new approaches to schooling are designed to address diverse student needs, especially important after the disruptions of the last few years. Add to that the growth of home schooling and alternative models, and teachers are now finding new ways to keep students engaged outside the traditional classroom. Emphasis on Professional Growth Gone are the days when professional development was an occasional in-service day with the same PD plan for every teacher. Teachers are now expected to engage in ongoing, self-directed learning, often delivered online and suited to their own professional goals. National standards also encourage teachers to reflect, set goals, and keep their skills sharp, particularly when it comes to digital teaching and adapting to new learning environments. The message is clear: a great teacher never stops learning. Changing Workforce Opportunities While more people are enrolling in teaching courses, retention is still a challenge. High workloads and changing expectations can make it tough to keep good teachers in the classroom. This is especially true in regional schools and for STEM subjects, where shortages remain pressing. At the same time, new initiatives have emerged to provide support for people in teaching jobs, such as the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan , the Engaged Classrooms Initiative , and Teach for Australia’s programs . These are aimed at helping ease teacher workloads, provide better support and create career development pathways. How the Teacher Skill Set Is Evolving At a glance, these are the factors influencing teaching skills in demand:
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