AI will be the biggest change in the way we teach and learn. Rather than focus on the dangers of students using AI to write their essays for them – let’s look at the huge opportunities.
By monitoring students’ work habits and performance, AI algorithms can detect when a student is struggling and provide targeted support. This can be especially helpful in identifying learning disabilities and providing personalised intervention.
AI can also be used to identify the best ways to teach different types of learners based on their unique characteristics. By analysing student data such as their preferred learning styles, strengths and weaknesses, and previous academic performance, AI algorithms can develop personalised curricula for each student. This could potentially result in more efficient and effective learning for students who are struggling or who have unique needs.
Another potential use of AI in education is in grading and assessment. Machine learning algorithms can analyse student work and provide instant feedback, allowing students to improve their performance in real-time. This could also reduce the workload for teachers, giving them more time to focus on personalised instruction and remove potential prejudices some teachers may have developed toward individuals – AI doesn’t care what the student called them as they left the class.
An exciting opportunity is AI could provide personalised learning experiences. Analysing student data and preferences, AI algorithms can provide recommendations for books, videos, and other resources that are tailored to each student’s interests and academic goals. This could create a more engaging learning experience and help students stay motivated.
While there are many potential benefits to using AI in education, it’s not about taking away the teacher from the classroom. However, teachers will need new skills to be able to maximise the effectiveness of AI for their students to get the most out of what it can do. And their role in developing students’ interpersonal skills should never be underestimated.
The adoption of technology in education has not been fast. From resistance to the calculator, because teachers said you will never have a calculator let alone a full-blown computer in your pocket, to the adoption of in-class technology has been a challenge for many.
However, for those that do, the advantages for them to be able to better educate their students and for the students themselves to get a customised learning experience are not otherwise possible in a class of thirty or more.
And for the teacher who gets their hand on an app that does the marking for them… for some, a dream come true… but more important the teacher will have the time and focus to analyse the data to help them give their learners the tools and information they need to learn in their way and reach their true potential.
Christopher Wellbelove DL 