Ashok Manoharan, Founder/CTO FocusLabs.
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Artificial intelligence (AI) has a lot of potential for innovation in educational technology and to impact traditional teaching methods.
Last year, the World Economy Forum (WEF) found that teachers often put in over fifty hours a week, with direct student interaction making up less than half of this work. Students are also facing an engagement gap, with 50% of students saying they are "not engaged in what they are learning in school most of the time," according to Gradient Learning research.
AI could impact instructors and students alike with innovations ranging from personalized learning journeys to predictive analytics. There are already several key solutions available in this space, such as Thinkster Math, Jill Watson, Nuance and Congii, among several others.
However, this is just the start of a far larger paradigm shift in education. Here are five ways AI is beginning to revolutionize educational technology.
Assessments
In the past, assessments were more like memory competitions than actual learning. Recall ability was used to make judgments, which reduced exams to simple memorization drills while missing important aspects of learning, like how to navigate real-world situations analytically.
Generative AI (GenAI) can encourage a transition from memorization to interaction. For example, AI can allow students to converse directly with a GenAI solution, which could help assess broader aspects of learning, such as the ability to solve problems, depth of knowledge and domain-specific competence while maintaining objectivity in the judgment outcomes.
Customized AI Mentorship
By engaging students in individualized academic journeys, AI can encourage critical thinking and provide proactive help.
The availability of AI mentors, for example, can provide unceasing liberated from timing restrictions. Teachers, therefore, have access to new ways to enhance student learning through individualized tutoring that blends academic instruction with personalized support.
Furthermore, this type of AI can make learning more captivating and accessible to a wider range of scholars.
Hybrid Learning
Today, hybrid learning has changed the landscape of education by blurring the line between digital and physical learning environments.
This shifting landscape will require a good deal of support of both educators and students. AI can help streamline aspects of this transition by sorting through learner data to customize educational paths, predict academic success and provide immediate feedback.
This could be especially helpful for students if they want to experience a conventional educational environment while also acquiring targeted online skills that will make them more marketable in the job market. By understanding a student's needs, AI can help create learning paths that, for instance, include in-person classes for specific subjects while simultaneously allowing them to start on a web-based certification in graphic design.
Exams With Remote Supervision
High-tech developments can also support remote surveillance during online exams, ensuring a safe testing setting without requiring students to spend time at a predetermined location.
Remote proctoring is a growing sector that is completely revamping traditional test methodologies. Companies are incorporating AI into these solutions to monitor and flag suspicious behavior.
How To Implement AI In Educational Settings
The first step of implementing AI in educational settings is determining the precise demands that technology can fulfill, such as improving individualized instruction or expediting administrative duties.
Educators should begin small, using AI technologies that directly support their learning objectives, and then expand as comfort and familiarity improve. Initiatives such as professional development workshops and collaboration with AI-savvy colleagues might help smooth the shift.
Implementing AI also presents a variety of challenges, from technological difficulties to worries about data privacy and the digital divide. The initial setup and incorporation of AI systems can be difficult for educators requiring continuous support and training. To guarantee that AI applications remain transparent and fair, you'll also have to work with providers who can show how they've addressed problems like bias in algorithms.
Also, critics fear a decline in interpersonal communication. It's crucial to strike a balance between the indispensable human touch and AI application to education. Open discussions about AI's potential and constraints can allay anxieties and create an atmosphere where technology enhances rather than replaces conventional teaching techniques.
By taking thoughtful, informed steps towards AI adoption, educators can leverage its benefits while navigating potential pitfalls, ensuring that technology serves to enhance—not overshadow—the educational experience.
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