AI in Xerte

Let’s talk about AI.  It’s a topic that’s become difficult to ignore in education as it’s use has become so widespread.  Soon the next version of Xerte, the widely used open source tool for creating interactive learning resources, is introducing AI-powered functionality. This exciting development aims to help educators design online learning content more efficiently, without compromising quality or creativity.  

AI in Xerte has been made possible by extensive work undertaken by DLearning in the Netherlands. (Big thank you!).

Important note: The AI functionality will be optional and Xerte administrators will need to decide which AI model(s) they would like to use, and how much they can budget for authors to spend!  For organisations using Xerte, the administrator can also choose who can have access to the AI features.  This will help administrators remain in control.

With that in mind what can you expect to see when AI is enabled? 

What’s new?

The new AI features in Xerte are designed to streamline the process of content creation by providing an Assistant to support your project creation. 

1. Smart content suggestions: Generate text, summaries, and activities based on your topic or learning objectives. Some examples:

• Provide 3 categories and automatically generate words for each to test student recall. 
• Upload a video and automatically generate time-synced multiple-choice questions (MCQs) to check understanding of the content. 
• Provide a quiz question and source file and automatically generate possible answers with customised feedback for each to ensure learners can understand incorrect choices. 

2. Media assistance: Generate relevant images to enrich your content with meaningful pictures that supplement the text content. 

These tools don’t replace educators, but instead they can enhance creativity and efficiency, freeing up time for pedagogy and learner engagement. 

3. Blank template creation: Generate the required structure for a page but leave the content development solely to you.

Get a glimpse of the AI feature in action.

Is there a catch? 

AI brings some powerful capabilities, but we also need to be aware it also introduces challenges. Some key caveats to keep in mind: 

• Accuracy and bias: AI-generated content can contain errors or reflect biases in its training data. Always review and validate its outputs. 
• Data privacy: Be careful with what you share with AI (e.g. personally identifiable data) to ensure compliance with GDPR and other regulations. 
• Copyright concerns: Check that AI-suggested materials are original or properly licensed to ensure compliance with copyright legislation. 
• Pedagogical integrity: Avoid over-reliance on AI. Our human oversight ensures that content aligns with learning outcomes. 
• Accessibility and equity: Check that AI-generated content meets accessibility standards and supports diverse learners. 

Looking ahead 

The integration of AI into Xerte marks a considerable step forward in digital content creation. By automating routine tasks and offering intelligent suggestions, AI can empower educators to create richer, more engaging learning experiences. However, we must remember success depends on responsible implementation, where we balance innovation with ethical considerations and maintaining the educator’s unique voice. 

When can you get your hand on this new version?  Keep a look out here on our News page or join our new LinkedIn group (Teaching & Learning with Xerte) for updates, as we aim for release before Christmas.

This article has been written with contributions from Microsoft Copilot.