Plum AI: School-based AI-Assisted Teaching System
An AI-Assisted Teaching and Learning Solution aligned with the AI for Empowering Learning and Teaching Funding Programme
"Plum AI" is a school-based AI-assisted teaching system designed specifically for primary and secondary schools in Hong Kong. It focuses on supporting teacher-led classroom teaching and addressing students’ individual learning needs, enabling schools to introduce AI-assisted learning support within their existing teaching frameworks, while avoiding additional lesson preparation and administrative burden for teachers.
Over the years, we have provided Hong Kong primary and secondary schools with courses and support related to 3D printing, STEM education, and creative technologies. We have been working closely with teachers on lesson design and classroom practice. In recent years, we have progressively integrated AI elements into workshops and teaching activities supporting students in using AI as an assistive tool during creative and learning processes.
At the same time, we have continuously applied AI technologies in our own daily operations and curriculum design to enhance teaching preparation and support efficiency. "Plum AI: School-based AI-Assisted Teaching System" is designed based on these experiences from real classroom practice and practical implementation.
Practical Teaching Challenges Faced by Hong Kong Schools
From day to day, many schools face significant differences in students’ learning abilities within the same class. It is difficult for teachers to address different learning progress levels simultaneously in a single lesson. In addition, students’ learning difficulties are often only identified after tests or examinations, resulting in delayed support.
Many AI tools currently available in the market are designed for general use or for single subjects, and may not align well with curriculum requirements. To implement differentiated teaching, teachers often need to prepare multiple sets of learning materials, which increases workload.
Design Philosophy: Teacher-Led AI-Assisted Teaching
Our design philosophy is clear: the role of AI is to support Hong Kong primary and secondary school teachers, not to replace teachers’ professional judgement.
In the design of "Plum AI", clear boundaries are established:
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All learning objectives, content direction, and usage methods are led by teachers
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AI provides support only within the curriculum scope defined by teachers
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Existing teaching workflows and classroom arrangements are not changed
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Teachers are not required to take on additional administrative or technical tasks
This system is particularly suitable for school principals, curriculum leaders, and subject teachers who are considering introducing AI-assisted teaching in the Hong Kong school context.
Core Functions of "Plum AI: School-based AI-Assisted Teaching System"
"Plum AI" provides the following core AI-assisted teaching and learning functions
(All interface visuals shown are under development and do not represent the final system interface):
Design Differences Compared with Other AI Learning Solutions
Current AI learning solutions for Hong Kong primary and secondary schools can generally be categorised into several approaches: some focus on single subjects with deep functionality but fragmented learning data; some tools emphasise lesson preparation and administrative efficiency but provide limited insight into classroom learning processes; some systems are driven by AI-determined learning pathways that may not align with teachers’ real-time teaching progress; and some large-scale all-in-one systems offer comprehensive features but involve high implementation costs and transition risks.
"Plum AI: School-based AI-Assisted Teaching System" adopts a different design approach: it is teacher-led, centred on actual classroom operation, and allows schools to implement it progressively according to their needs, rather than requiring a one-off, full-system replacement.
Alignment with the AI for Empowering Learning and Teaching Funding Programme
The design of "Plum AI: School-based AI-Assisted Teaching System" fully takes into account the key focus areas of the AI for Empowering Learning and Teaching Funding Programme, including:
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Supporting AI-assisted teaching and learning across multiple subjects
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Helping schools establish concrete AI-assisted teaching examples
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Supporting the needs of open lessons and experience-sharing activities
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Assisting schools in organising teaching practice evidence and related materials
Our aim is to support schools in using AI more systematically to enhance teaching and learning development, not to replace existing curricula or teaching philosophies.
Project Status and Future Direction
The project is currently in the design and development stage. The team continues to engage with educators in Hong Kong primary and secondary schools to understand practical needs and refine system architecture and usage models.
If your school is interested in learning about the latest project updates, providing feedback, or participating in future pilot arrangements, please provide your contact information using the form below. We will follow up and share project updates accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions from Principals and Teachers who are looking to introduce AI assisted teaching system into their schools.
Q1: Will "Plum AI" increase teachers’ actual workload, especially during initial setup and daily follow-up?
A: Initial setup is required. However, the system provides simple configuration tools aligned with teachers’ daily teaching workflows, together with appropriate training and support, allowing teachers to complete setup without changing existing teaching practices. During daily operation, student learning information is automatically organised into clear overviews, reducing the need for individual follow-up. The overall design aims to avoid long-term additional workload after manageable initial preparation.
Q2: If the system is included under the AI for Empowering Learning and Teaching Funding Programme, can schools clearly explain teaching application and outcomes?
A: Yes. The system focuses on concrete classroom teaching applications, including how teachers set learning objectives, how students use AI-assisted learning during lessons, and how teachers adjust teaching based on learning situations. These are all clearly describable teaching practices that help schools account for actual teaching implementation in funding projects, rather than merely describing technology usage.
Q3: If a school is already using other learning platforms or AI tools, is a full system replacement required?
A: No. The system is not designed to replace existing platforms. It can be introduced progressively at the subject or class level and used alongside existing tools, allowing schools to explore AI-assisted teaching in a low-risk and controllable manner without a one-off full transition.
Q4: Can teachers fully control the content provided by AI to students? Will there be inappropriate or curriculum-misaligned guidance?
A: Yes. All learning support is based on teacher-defined learning objectives and curriculum content. AI provides hints and guidance only within the scope defined by teachers and does not introduce external content or make independent teaching decisions, ensuring alignment with classroom teaching.
Q5: Will using Plum AI affect existing teaching pace or require redesigning lesson structures?
A: No. The system is designed to align with existing classroom operation. Teachers continue to teach using their original methods, while AI provides support only during student practice or designated learning periods, without changing teaching pace or lesson structure.
Q6: If students develop misunderstandings while using AI support, how will teachers know? Is individual checking required?
A: The system organises students’ responses and common understanding patterns during practice into overview formats for teachers, helping teachers identify concepts that require further explanation or follow-up without checking each student’s work individually, enabling more effective teaching adjustments.