XCL World Academy offers one of the most comprehensive AI courses among international schools in Singapore
Are your children aware of the presence of artificial intelligence (AI) in their daily lives? Whether they’re typing on their phones, browsing social media or playing esports (electronic sports) on their desktop, AI is present. It takes note of the topics your children are searching for, and it measures how long they stay engaged on a certain video. XCL World Academy (XWA) aims to provide this awareness to children at an early age. At the same time, the school wants to prepare them for the future with technical and life skills. It’s doing so with a comprehensive AI course curriculum integrated into the school day, through the SureStart programme.
Unlike other schools that offer AI courses as an extracurricular activity or a small component of their STEAM programmes, XWA says that it purposefully integrates AI education into the school day. This ensures every student gains hands-on experience in AI technologies, coding, app development, machine learning and ethical AI usage.
Artificial intelligence-focused curriculum
Called AI at XCL World Academy powered by SureStart, the programme aims to equip XWA students with essential AI knowledge and vital life skills for navigating success in their future careers. It is seamlessly embedded within the IB MYP curriculum for sixth grade, with plans for expansion across all grades.
The school hopes that the AI course curriculum will continue to grow and evolve, ensuring students receive continuous exposure and practical experience with AI technologies.
Here are some of the key features:
- Tech modules covering AI foundations, exploration of generative AI and app development
- Power skills modules on leadership, collaboration, communication, AI-related ethics, innovation and entrepreneurship
- AI career pathway seminars with industry experts
- Innovation Capstone projects focused on app development to reinforce learning and practical application
- Create-a-thon finale where students pitch their Capstone project in front of judges
XWA students in this programme can also look forward to technical mentorship provided by students studying Computer Science or related fields at premier US universities such as Harvard, MIT and NYU.
AI at XCL World Academy powered by SureStart is a collaboration between XWA and SureStart. SureStart is a leading educational organisation headquartered in the US. It provides unique AI skills and innovation training programmes designed for students from middle school to college.
Leading the AI course at XWA is Dr Taniya Mishra, founder and CEO of SureStart. Leonardo Neves, a teaching fellow at Harvard University is leading the instruction. The XWA faculty teaching this programme receive training from SureStart.
Practical skills with ethics
Besides developing professional and life skills, AI at XCL World Academy powered by SureStart aims to equip students with an ethical framework for AI use.
Dr Mishra explains, “This is a holistic programme where students build technical skills related to AI and gain hands-on knowledge of various generative AI applications but with the scaffolding of an ethical lens. We teach them about artificial intelligence that adheres to ethical guidelines such as respect for the end users, fairness, privacy and non-discrimination.”
Students achieve this by learning how to identify the stakeholders of any AI-related technology that they develop. They must then evaluate whether their technology is fair, just and non-discriminatory for all the stakeholders involved.
Dr Mishra hopes that through this integration, XWA students gain both technical knowledge of generative AI tools and the ability to assess AI use ethically, empowering them for the future.
Nurturing students for the future
This isn’t the first time that XWA has introduced initiatives to prepare students future careers. For example, the school launched its Esports Club in September 2020, recognising esports as a rapidly growing industry. It went on to become the only school in Singapore to provide dedicated on-site esports facilities for students to develop their skills.
According to XWA, the Esports Club and AI at XCL World Academy powered by SureStart exemplify the school’s commitment to providing innovative opportunities for students. This aligns with the school’s motto, Shaping Next Now.
Faculty member Tammy Murphy says, “We have a strong academic focus but we understand that learning goes beyond rote lecturing and book study. Esports, for instance, teaches collaboration, teamwork and strategic thinking. We continuously exploring new ways to engage engages our learners.”
Find out more: AI at XCL World Academy powered by SureStart
For more information about this new AI course, visit the XWA website. Or book a tour to explore the campus and learn more about enrolment.
XCL World Academy
2 Yishun Street 42
6230 4230 | xwa.edu.sg
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