How does AI feedback affect Year 9 girls’ confidence and independence in Design & Technology? A GARC research project.

David Bratton, Head of Design & Technology at Bromley High School, is a GARC Research Fellow for 2025/2026.

The GARC Fellowship is a professional learning programme that encompasses training, action research, academic writing, and presentations. It brings together a global cohort of teachers who are invited to explore meaningful questions from within their own fields, while engaging with international perspectives on teaching and learning. The fellowship provides a valuable opportunity for professional growth, reflection, and collaboration within the ICGS. 

David’s GARC research project focused on developing pupil agency through the use of generative artificial intelligence in the design thinking process. This was particularly relevant as a Design & Technology teacher, working with Year 9 girls who are growing their confidence in STEM related subjects.

The project explored the use of AI generated personas to support pupils in auditing the school environment, identifying meaningful design opportunities, and developing formal design briefs linked to real world environmental challenges. However, the most significant development in the project was the shift towards Socratic AI feedback. This means that rather than providing solutions, the AI began to respond through structured questioning – prompting pupils to justify, evaluate, and refine their thinking. Questions such as What evidence supports your decision? How does this address the problem? What alternatives could you explore? encouraged deeper reasoning and more iterative design thinking.

Over time, a clear shift was observed in classroom culture. Pupils became more confident in sharing early ideas, more resilient when facing uncertainty, and more willing to take creative risks. Rather than searching for the “correct answer”, they increasingly engaged in reflection, evaluation, and continuous improvement.

The project supported our Year 9 pupils to develop confidence in their design thinking, reduce fear of failure, and begin to see themselves as capable, independent problem solvers.