Technology and AI offer exciting possibilities for reinventing education
New advances in technology are upending education, from the recent debut of new artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots like ChatGPT to the growing accessibility of virtual-reality tools that expand the boundaries of the classroom. For educators, at the heart of it all is the hope that every learner gets an equal chance to develop the skills they need to succeed. But that promise is not without its pitfalls.
AI in the Classroom
In 2023, the big story in technology and education was generative AI, following the introduction of ChatGPT and other chatbots that produce text seemingly written by a human in response to a question or prompt. Educators immediately worried that students would use the chatbot to cheat by trying to pass its writing off as their own. As schools move to adopt policies around students’ use of the tool, many are also beginning to explore potential opportunities – for example, to generate reading assignments or coach students during the writing process.
AI can also help automate tasks like grading and lesson planning, freeing teachers to do the human work that drew them into the profession in the first place, said Victor Lee, an associate professor at the GSE and faculty lead for the AI + Education initiative at the Stanford Accelerator for Learning. “I’m heartened to see some movement toward creating AI tools that make teachers’ lives better – not to replace them, but to give them the time to do the work that only teachers are able to do,” he said. “I hope to see more on that front.”
He also emphasized the need to teach students now to begin questioning and critiquing the development and use of AI. “AI is not going away,” said Lee, who is also director of CRAFT (Classroom-Ready Resources about AI for Teaching), which provides free resources to help teach AI literacy to high school students across subject areas. “We need to teach students how to understand and think critically about this technology.”
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Immersive Environments
The use of immersive technologies like augmented reality, virtual reality, and mixed reality is also expected to surge in the classroom, especially as new high-profile devices integrating these realities hit the marketplace in 2024.
The educational possibilities now go beyond putting on a headset and experiencing life in a distant location. With new technologies, students can create their own local interactive 360-degree scenarios, using just a cell phone or inexpensive camera and simple online tools.
“This is an area that’s really going to explode over the next couple of years,” said Kristen Pilner Blair, director of research for the Digital Learning initiative at the Stanford Accelerator for Learning, which runs a program exploring the use of virtual field trips to promote learning. “Students can learn about the effects of climate change, say, by virtually experiencing the impact on a particular environment. But they can also become creators, documenting and sharing immersive media that shows the effects where they live.”
Integrating AI into virtual simulations could also soon take the experience to another level, Schwartz said. “If your VR experience brings me to a redwood tree, you could have a window pop up that allows me to ask questions about the tree, and AI can deliver the answers.”
Technology and AI are revolutionizing education in several ways:
AI Chatbots: AI chatbots like ChatGPT are being used in classrooms. They can generate reading assignments or coach students during the writing process.
Automating Tasks: AI can automate tasks like grading and lesson planning, freeing teachers to focus on the human aspects of teaching.
Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): VR and AR tools are expanding the boundaries of the classroom, providing immersive learning experiences.
Inclusive Learning: AI can accelerate the transformation of education systems towards inclusive learning, preparing young people to thrive and shape a better future.
Enhancing Teaching Practice: AI technologies can enhance teachers’ teaching practices and professional experiences.
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Gamification
Another trend expected to intensify this year is the gamification of learning activities, often featuring dynamic videos with interactive elements to engage and hold students’ attention.
“Gamification is a good motivator, because one key aspect is reward, which is very powerful,” said Schwartz. The downside? Rewards are specific to the activity at hand, which may not extend to learning more generally. “If I get rewarded for doing math in a space-age video game, it doesn’t mean I’m going to be motivated to do math anywhere else.”
Gamification sometimes tries to make “chocolate-covered broccoli,” Schwartz said, by adding art and rewards to make speeded response tasks involving single-answer, factual questions more fun. He hopes to see more creative play patterns that give students points for rethinking an approach or adapting their strategy, rather than only rewarding them for quickly producing a correct response.
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Data-gathering and Analysis
The growing use of technology in schools is producing massive amounts of data on students’ activities in the classroom and online. “We’re now able to capture moment-to-moment data, every keystroke a kid makes,” said Schwartz – data that can reveal areas of struggle and different learning opportunities, from solving a math problem to approaching a writing assignment.
But outside of research settings, he said, that type of granular data – now owned by tech companies – is more likely used to refine the design of the software than to provide teachers with actionable information.
The promise of personalized learning is being able to generate content aligned with students’ interests and skill levels, and making lessons more accessible for multilingual learners and students with disabilities. Realizing that promise requires that educators can make sense of the data that’s being collected, said Schwartz – and while advances in AI are making it easier to identify patterns and findings, the data also needs to be in a system and form educators can access and analyze for decision-making. Developing a usable infrastructure for that data, Schwartz said, is an important next step.
With the accumulation of student data comes privacy concerns: How is the data being collected? Are there regulations or guidelines around its use in decision-making? What steps are being taken to prevent unauthorized access? In 2023 K-12 schools experienced a rise in cyberattacks, underscoring the need to implement strong systems to safeguard student data.
Technology is “requiring people to check their assumptions about education,” said Schwartz, noting that AI in particular is very efficient at replicating biases and automating the way things have been done in the past, including poor models of instruction. “But it’s also opening up new possibilities for students producing material, and for being able to identify children who are not average so we can customize toward them. It’s an opportunity to think of entirely new ways of teaching – this is the path I hope to see.
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Technology and AI are fundamentally reshaping the education landscape
Technology and AI are fundamentally reshaping the education landscape, creating a more personalized, engaging, and accessible learning experience for students of all ages. Here’s how:
Personalized Learning
- Adaptive Learning Platforms: AI-powered platforms can assess individual student strengths and weaknesses, tailoring learning materials and pace to their specific needs. This ensures each student receives an optimized learning journey, maximizing their potential.
- Microlearning: Bite-sized learning modules, delivered through mobile apps and online platforms, cater to shorter attention spans and allow students to learn on the go. This makes education more accessible and convenient.
Engaging Learning
- Gamification: Educational games and simulations introduce an element of fun and competition, enhancing student motivation and engagement. They can also provide a safe and immersive environment for practicing skills and solidifying concepts.
- Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR): These immersive technologies allow students to explore virtual worlds, conduct experiments safely, and interact with historical or scientific concepts in a more realistic way. This can deepen understanding and make learning more memorable.
Accessible Learning
- Online Learning Platforms: These platforms offer flexible learning opportunities, allowing students to learn remotely and at their own pace. This is particularly beneficial for students in remote locations, those with disabilities, or working professionals seeking upskilling opportunities.
- AI-powered language translation: AI can translate educational materials in real-time, breaking down language barriers and making education accessible to a wider audience.
Additionally
- AI-powered tutors and chatbots: These tools can provide 24/7 support, answering student questions and offering personalized guidance.
- Automated grading and feedback: AI can grade essays, quizzes, and other assessments, freeing up teachers’ time to focus on individual student support and personalized instruction.
However, it’s crucial to acknowledge potential challenges
- Digital divide: Not everyone has access to reliable internet and technology, potentially exacerbating existing educational inequalities.
- Overreliance on technology: While technology can be a valuable tool, it shouldn’t replace the human element of teaching. Effective educators play a critical role in fostering critical thinking, creativity, and social-emotional development in students.
- Ethical considerations: Ensuring responsible development and deployment of AI in education, addressing bias and privacy concerns, is paramount.
(Author: Rajesh Mishra, Manager – Protean eGov Technologies Ltd (formerly NSDL e-Governance Infrastructure Limited)
Views are personal.
