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Teacher-led AI and social media initiatives revolutionise classroom innovation while maintaining human judgement

Thursday, 4 December 2025 5:37AM UTC

Recent projects supported by the British Council demonstrate that teachers, harnessing AI and social media with proper training and ethical governance, can lead transformative educational change that enhances learning and wellbeing without replacing human interaction.

Technology is reshaping classrooms worldwide, but recent action research led by teachers shows that human judgement remains central to effective innovation. The British Council’s Partner Schools programme supported 12 school-based studies that tested how AI, social media and other digital tools can improve learning and pupil wellbeing while keeping educators in control. ^[1]^[2]^[3]^[5]

In Pakistan, generative AI was used to personalise lessons across subjects, with targeted professional development in AI tools, ethics and prompt engineering so teachers retained agency in planning and delivery. Teachers reported substantial benefits: 92% said AI improved lesson adaptability and 87% found AI-generated content valuable for planning differentiated instruction, with previously underperforming pupils making measurable progress. ^[1]^[2]^[3]

A complementary initiative in Egypt focused on the classroom use of social media and AI to support responsible digital habits and wellbeing. Schools combined a whole-school digital policy with teacher-led integration of AI into lesson planning; around 90% of teachers reported using AI in their teaching and described the approach as turning potential distractions into structured learning opportunities. ^[1]^[2]

These projects sit alongside broader British Council work promoting a human-centred approach to educational AI. The organisation has published guidance on equitable, teacher-led adoption of AI in language teaching and launched tools such as AiBC, an AI engine designed to extend English‑language speaking practice with real‑time feedback, illustrating how institutionally supported technology can supplement classroom practice. ^[4]^[5]^[6]

Douglas Wood, Global Head of Educational Support Services at the British Council, said: “These projects demonstrate that AI and social media are powerful tools, but schools and teachers remain the guides. With proper training and clear governance, educators can lead innovations that benefit.” Sara Ahmer, leading the project in Pakistan, explained: “We’re using AI to help every student get the support they need, especially those who fall behind.” In Egypt, Hala Tewfik, teacher Research Lead, added: “Students today don’t disconnect from digital life when they walk into school , and neither should our teaching methods.” ^[1]

Taken together, the findings point to practical priorities for schools and policymakers: invest in sustained professional development, codify ethical and wellbeing-focused digital policies, centre teacher agency in procurement and deployment, and use local action research to evaluate impact before scaling. Survey data from related British Council work further underline that teachers value human interaction in learning and are cautious about technology replacing core pedagogical relationships. ^[3]^[5]^[7]

All 12 projects from the 2025 edition will be presented by the researchers during the online event Action Research Now! on 11–12 December 2025, offering practitioners and policymakers access to the full set of findings and practical implementation guidance. ^[1]^[2]

📌 Reference Map:

##Reference Map:

^[1] (The Scotsman) - Paragraph 1, Paragraph 2, Paragraph 3, Paragraph 5, Paragraph 7
^[2] (GlobeNewswire) - Paragraph 1, Paragraph 2, Paragraph 3, Paragraph 7
^[3] (British Council Egypt press) - Paragraph 1, Paragraph 2, Paragraph 6
^[4] (British Council press , AiBC) - Paragraph 4
^[5] (British Council research , Human-centred AI) - Paragraph 1, Paragraph 4, Paragraph 6
^[6] (British Council webinar page) - Paragraph 4
^[7] (British Council Germany survey) - Paragraph 6

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.scotsman.com/must-read/teacher-led-innovation-boosts-student-learning-and-wellbeing-through-ai-and-social-media-5427603 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/11/25/3194106/0/en/Teacher-led-innovation-boosts-student-learning-and-wellbeing-through-AI-and-social-media.html - The British Council's Partner Schools programme has supported 12 action research projects exploring how innovation can enhance teaching and learning. Studies in Pakistan and Egypt demonstrate how AI and digital tools can enrich classroom practice while keeping educators central. In Pakistan, 92% of teachers report that AI has improved lesson adaptability, and 87% find AI-generated content valuable for planning differentiated instruction. In Egypt, 90% of teachers report using AI in their teaching, with a digital policy guiding the ethical use of technology to support student wellbeing and engagement. ([globenewswire.com](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/11/25/3194106/0/en/Teacher-led-innovation-boosts-student-learning-and-wellbeing-through-AI-and-social-media.html?utm_source=openai))
https://www.britishcouncil.org.eg/en/about/press/british-council-drives-educational-innovation-through-action-research-benefiting - The British Council's Action Research programme supports educational improvement worldwide by providing educators with funding, mentoring, and resources to implement research findings directly in their classrooms. Innovative educator-led research projects have improved teaching and learning in countries such as Pakistan, Egypt, and Colombia, delivering measurable results in schools. An AI-based maths project enhanced students’ understanding and performance, with 80% reporting that using digital platforms strengthened their problem-solving skills through active learning and critical thinking. ([britishcouncil.org.eg](https://www.britishcouncil.org.eg/en/about/press/british-council-drives-educational-innovation-through-action-research-benefiting?utm_source=openai))
https://www.britishcouncil.org/about/press/british-council-launches-aibc-human-first-ai-engine-transforming-english-language - The British Council has launched AiBC, a new artificial intelligence engine that supports learners in practising English-speaking skills and receiving real-time feedback. Developed by British Council English language specialists, AiBC draws on decades of language teaching and assessment experience. It uses AI to extend classroom learning, providing realistic speaking activities that learners can complete in their own time, helping build confidence in communicating effectively for work, study, or travel. ([britishcouncil.org](https://www.britishcouncil.org/about/press/british-council-launches-aibc-human-first-ai-engine-transforming-english-language?utm_source=openai))
https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/human-centred-ai-lessons-english-learning-assessment - The British Council advocates for a human-centred approach to selecting and implementing AI technologies in English language teaching, learning, and assessment. This approach prioritises learner needs for a responsible, fair, and inclusive application of AI. Key themes include the role of teachers, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the AI literacy of everyone involved in the learning process. The paper emphasises equitable access to AI, fostering personalised learning for diverse educational needs. ([britishcouncil.org](https://www.britishcouncil.org/research-insight/human-centred-ai-lessons-english-learning-assessment?utm_source=openai))
https://africa.teachingenglish.org.uk/skills/webinars/planning-lessons-using-ai-help - This British Council webinar explores how AI tools can streamline lesson planning, personalise learning experiences, and provide innovative solutions to common teaching challenges. It equips educators with practical insights and actionable techniques to integrate AI seamlessly into their classrooms, enhancing teaching methodologies and student engagement. ([africa.teachingenglish.org.uk](https://africa.teachingenglish.org.uk/skills/webinars/planning-lessons-using-ai-help?utm_source=openai))
https://www.britishcouncil.de/en/about/press/ai-and-automated-translation-will-not-replace-need-learning-languages-survey-finds - A British Council survey of 1,348 English language teachers worldwide found that 60% disagree that AI and automated translation will eventually make learning languages unnecessary. The survey highlights the importance of human interaction in language learning and the limitations of AI in replicating the nuances of human communication. ([britishcouncil.de](https://www.britishcouncil.de/en/about/press/ai-and-automated-translation-will-not-replace-need-learning-languages-survey-finds?utm_source=openai))

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative was first published on 3 December 2025 in The Scotsman. Similar content appeared on 25 November 2025 in a press release by the British Council. The earlier version includes different figures and quotes, indicating potential discrepancies. The presence of a press release suggests a high freshness score, but the discrepancies and earlier publication date raise concerns. ([globenewswire.com](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/11/25/3194106/0/en/Teacher-led-innovation-boosts-student-learning-and-wellbeing-through-AI-and-social-media.html?utm_source=openai))

Quotes check

Score: 7

Notes: The quotes from Douglas Wood, Sara Ahmer, and Hala Tewfik appear in both the press release and the article. The wording is identical, indicating potential reuse of content. No online matches were found for these quotes, suggesting they may be original or exclusive.

Source reliability

Score: 9

Notes: The narrative originates from The Scotsman, a reputable UK newspaper. The British Council, a well-established organisation, issued the press release. Both sources are credible, enhancing the reliability of the information.

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The claims about AI improving lesson adaptability and student progress are plausible and align with current educational trends. The narrative lacks specific factual anchors, such as names of schools or detailed data, which reduces the score. The tone and language are consistent with typical educational reporting.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The narrative presents plausible claims supported by reputable sources. However, the earlier publication of similar content with discrepancies and the reuse of quotes suggest potential issues with freshness and originality. Further verification is needed to confirm the accuracy and originality of the information.

Education
AI in education
Teacher-led innovation