The education landscape is on, or possibly just within, the cusp of a revolution, driven by the ever-evolving power of Artificial Intelligence (AI). This technology holds immense potential to transform how we teach and learn, prompting excitement and trepidation.

We’ll also look to address some concerns and ensure you understand how AI can be a powerful tool to enhance, not replace, the irreplaceable role of educators.

But first, let’s have a look at what AI is.

What is AI

Artificial Intelligence, often abbreviated as AI, is a fascinating field within computer science dedicated to crafting intelligent systems. These systems are capable of analysing their environment and taking actions to maximise their chances of achieving specific goals. In simpler terms, Artificial Intelligence is about making machines smart. It’s like teaching computers to think and learn like humans.

Further to that, AI research delves into various areas, including, problem-solving, reasoning, perception, learning, language understanding, and even creativity. It’s a multi-disciplinary field that draws inspiration from psychology, neuroscience, linguistics, mathematics, and engineering.

An important part of the field of AI is Machine Learning, which serves an important role in the learning that AI utilises in order to become increasingly intelligent when confronted with challenges and tasks. But more on that later.

In our day-to-day lives, AI manifests in many forms around us. From voice assistants like Siri, Google and Alexa to recommendation systems on streaming platforms such as Spotify, and even the sophisticated algorithms powering self-driving cars. As you can tell from these examples, AI is becoming more and more integrated into our daily lives.

When considered from the perspective of education, AI encompasses a range of technologies that can personalise learning, analyse data, and provide intelligent support for teachers and students alike.

So what is Machine Learning?

Machine Learning (ML) is a way for computers to get smarter by learning from information. In other words, it’s like showing a computer multiple examples so it can find patterns and figure out how things work.

Imagine this. You want to teach a computer to recognise cats. You would show it thousands of cat pictures. The computer looks at all those pictures and learns what makes a cat a cat; its shape, fur, eyes, behavioural tendencies, and so on. Eventually, it gets so good that it can spot a cat in any new picture you show it.

Machine Learning considered in the context of AI is how we can make AI better and better. It’s an important element of how AI can now do amazing things like recognise faces, translate languages, and even help doctors diagnose diseases.

Why AI in Education Matters

The traditional one-size-fits-all approach to education can leave some students feeling lost in the crowd, while others might be stretched beyond their comfort zone. This is where AI steps in. By personalising learning experiences, AI can cater to individual learning styles and paces.

Imagine a world where students receive targeted instruction based on their strengths and weaknesses, receive immediate feedback on assignments, and have 24/7 support from virtual tutors. This is the future that AI promises.

Remember the definitions above of AI and ML, these technologies offer the potential for the systems to learn the behaviours or even tendencies of students and provide learning material that addresses a particular need of the student.

But AI’s potential extends far beyond individual students. Educators, the backbone of our education system, are constantly bombarded with administrative tasks and paperwork. AI can automate these mundane activities, freeing up valuable time for teachers to focus on what they do best inspiring young minds and fostering a love of learning.

AI-powered tools can also analyse student data to identify at-risk students early on, allowing teachers to intervene and provide the necessary support on their learning journey beyond simply providing them with another set of examples to work through

Benefits of AI in Education

As you are no doubt aware, AI isn’t just science fiction anymore; it’s transforming classrooms across the world and empowering teachers and students in the digital classroom. Educators can leverage AI tools to personalise learning journeys, analyse student data for targeted support, and create interactive experiences through simulations and games. Furthermore, they can get real-time feedback on assignments or AI tutors offering personalised guidance all while freeing up valuable teacher time for one-on-one interaction.

Educators’ ability to create personalised learning pathways with AI is a great example of AI’s benefits in education. Tools like Khan Academy’s Khanmigo is an AI-powered learning companion, serving as both a tutor and a teacher’s assistant helping educators leverage the capabilities of AI to offer tailored guidance, support, and engagement to students of all ages and levels.

Many educators juggle numerous responsibilities, from teaching and mentoring to administrative tasks. AI can streamline these administrative burdens, giving educators more time for impactful activities. For instance, AI-powered tools like Gradescope can automate the grading of multiple-choice quizzes and provide instant feedback to students. This allows educators to focus on creating engaging lessons, providing personalised support, and fostering a nurturing learning environment where students can thrive. A tool like Gradescope will only serve to highlight the time it will save for teachers on grading.

AI can also give schools the power to bridge educational gaps and ensure that no student is left behind. With access to platforms like Microsoft’s Immersive Reader, schools can offer text-to-speech conversion as well as interactive learning modules catering to multiple learning styles and students with disabilities. Additionally, AI-powered language translation tools such as Google Translate can support multilingual classrooms breaking down any language barriers.

Through the benefits that AI offers to schools, schools can create more inclusive learning environments where every student has the opportunity not only to learn but to thrive.

Navigating the Challenges of AI

While AI offers promising avenues for personalised learning in K-12 classrooms, it’s essential to navigate potential pitfalls and establish strategies to overcome them.

Challenges like overreliance on AI, the risk of dehumanising learning experiences, and privacy concerns, all underscore the need for thoughtful implementation of AI in education. By prioritising teacher training, data transparency, and human-AI collaboration, we can harness AI’s potential while ensuring equitable and engaging educational experiences for all students and the best utilisation of teachers’ time and abilities.

The first potential pitfall of AI in education is over-reliance and diminished critical thinking. With access to AI writing tools like Google Gemini and ChatGPT, a student can generate essays without understanding the underlying concepts or structure. This can result in students becoming overly dependent on AI tools for answers, hindering the development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills along with how to structure and develop an argument when writing longer pieces of work. This is why it is important to empower students through digital citizenship. In simple terms, digital citizenship is when you can access digital technologies in a safe and responsible way, and be an active and respectful member of society, both online and offline.

Another potential challenge is the dehumanisation of Learning. Overdependence on AI tutors could diminish the irreplaceable role of human teachers in nurturing critical thinking, social-emotional learning, and hands-on experiences. While AI can offer personalised feedback on academic tasks, it cannot replicate the nuanced guidance, encouragement, and real-time adjustments that human teachers provide.

For example, in a science lab, it is crucial to have a teacher present to answer questions, ensure safety, and facilitate discussions that foster deeper understanding. Another outstanding example of the power of human teachers can be seen in our blog, Seven Week Teacher to Student Relationship Challenge by Steven Bollar. It explores the importance of interacting with students and developing better relationships with them.

AI systems that collect and analyse student data raise privacy concerns, particularly when using platforms like Squirrel AI Learning in China which utilises AI algorithms to analyse each student’s strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles, then creates tailored learning plans and content recommendations or Riiid Tutor in South Korea which uses machine learning algorithms to personalise study plans and provide adaptive practice questions based on the user’s performance.

AI software companies need to be transparent about the data collected by their AI-powered learning platforms with Schools to ensure the storage of data is both secure and in accordance with local regulations. This is especially crucial in countries with stringent data privacy laws, like Singapore and South Korea, where breaches could lead to legal repercussions.

A Look Ahead: The Future of AI in Education

The possibilities that lie ahead with AI in education are truly mind-boggling. Imagine the possibilities of the software that we have covered in this article. Of intelligent tutoring systems that can adapt to a student’s emotional state, virtual classrooms that transcend geographical boundaries, and immersive learning experiences that bring history and science to life.

AI could also offer AI-powered VR field trips that can transport students to any location imaginable. From exploring historical sites and distant planets to journeying inside the human body, VR experiences combined with AI could create immersive learning opportunities that were previously impossible. This technology has the potential to revolutionise education by allowing students to interact with these environments in a way that is both engaging and informative.

Another great example of AI in education to look forward to is Biometric Feedback. With this, certain Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) utilise heart rate monitors or other wearables to track physiological indicators of stress or engagement. This data can help tailor the learning experience to the student’s emotional state in real-time. Although this has not been widely adopted due to cost, and privacy concerns some schools are exploring the use of simpler biometric tools like heart rate monitors to help students understand and manage stress during exams or presentations.

AI has the potential to revolutionise not just how we learn, but also what we learn. By fostering critical thinking skills and encouraging collaboration between the students, AI can help us prepare students for a future that is constantly evolving.

Imagine a future where education ignites a lifelong love of learning in every student. AI has the potential to personalise learning journeys, cater to diverse needs, and unlock a world of immersive experiences. This isn’t science fiction; it’s the dawn of a new era in education. By embracing AI responsibly, we can empower educators, engage students, and unlock a brighter future for all learners.

Onwards,

Panashe Goteka

Team Mobile Guardian

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