AI In Schools: Revolutionising Or Undermining Education?

“Hey ChatGPT, do my homework for me.”

Remember battling long-division sums or prepping a French speech? The days of endless practice from moth-eaten textbooks and extra French lessons are fading fast. 

Now, artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming education by offering personalised learning tailored to individual needs, enhancing comprehension and engagement.

But is AI revolutionising or undermining education? Let’s explore the nitty-gritty details.

Current Applications Of AI In Education

Let’s touch on two main AI applications:

Personalised learning

AI is currently optimising teaching and learning experiences through customised learning algorithms.

These platforms and chatbots quickly identify individual student strengths and weaknesses. This allows them to tailor materials and generate personalised plans for the student. 

Take Khan Academy or Duolingo, for example – they present educational materials in text or interactive videos to ensure learners are neither bored nor overwhelmed. Plus, it’s delivered at a pace that is most comfortable for them. These interactive learning experiences and environments improve memory, recall and retention of vital information.

Virtual reality (VR) further revolutionises learning by immersing students in the environments they’re learning about. For example, studying underwater ecosystems and endangered aquatic species in the Great Barrier Reef or “walking” The Great Wall Of China to understand its cultural and historical relevance.

Augmented reality (AR) is an interactive experience that combines real-world and computer-generated 3D content – called SLAM (simultaneous localisation and mapping) algorithms –  through a smartphone app. 

Pretty nifty, right?

Automated grading

AI is also a powerful teacher’s assistant, aiding in lesson planning and automated grading.  

Take Gradescope – it analyses and grades tests, projects and assignments within a matter of minutes. This frees up valuable time for educators to focus on one-on-one student interaction and emotional support.

AI grading systems give educators a bird’s-eye view of each student as they provide deep insights into student learning styles, enabling teachers to adapt their methods and create dynamic learning environments.

Potential Risks And Downsides: The Flip Side Of The Coin

While AI offers undeniable advantages, there are also potential pitfalls. 

Over-reliance on technology can lead to a passive learning environment where students receive no feedback or interaction with the educator. 

This could hinder learners’ ability to critically analyse information, think independently and solve problems creatively.

After all, we don’t want AI to replace the empathic role of a human teacher, who can spark curiosity, encourage exploration and foster a love of learning. 

How AI Can Create Disparities In Education 

Another concern is the potential for educational disparities. Not all schools and educational institutions have equal access to cutting-edge technology. 

This could widen the achievement gap between students with access to advanced AI tools and those without. 

Furthermore, AI systems rely on student data to analyse learning patterns and exam results. Ensuring the security and ethical use of this sensitive information is vital to protect student privacy.

Parent Tip: Balancing Technology Use And Traditional Learning Methods

Right, so how can we, as parents, navigate this new educational landscape?

The key is to find a balance.

As we’ve discussed, AI can be a powerful learning tool but shouldn’t replace traditional learning methods entirely.

We need to encourage our kids to ask questions, actively participate in class discussions, think outside the box and tackle challenging problems.

Here are a few tips:

Staying informed and up to date with your child’s school’s current and future plans regarding AI integration is a surefire way to ensure responsible learning. You should discuss any concerns and expectations with your child and their educators. Our kids must understand that they should use AI as a complementary resource – not a crutch.

Be involved in your kids’ learning and fire questions at them to explain certain concepts in their own words. This helps develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. While, yes, they might know what photosynthesis is, but can they explain what our world would be like without it?

Next, you need to have a hold on their screen time habits. Setting digital timers or parental restrictions can help ensure a healthy balance between digital learning tools and physical activities, supporting their overall development.

Encourage your child to engage in unplugged activities like summarising textbook chapters or conducting science experiments. These activities not only provide tangible learning experiences but also foster creativity and critical thinking skills.

Case Studies Of Schools Successfully Integrating AI Technology 

Brainly is an online learning platform that utilises Google Cloud’s Vision AI technology. Students can photograph their questions and receive instant feedback, achieving a reported 70% satisfaction rate among users. With its ability to recognise multiple languages, Brainly serves a global audience, enabling students worldwide to benefit from learning remotely.

The European School of Management and Business (EUDE) developed EDU, a virtual generative AI co-tutor, with help from Big Blue (a.k.a IBM). It uses real-time natural language processing (NLP) – a fancy mechanism that helps computers understand human language – to support administrative, academic and logistical queries. Students have benefitted from faster response times and increased engagement while the faculty can focus on other high-priority tasks.

Basingstoke College of Technology (BCoT) has integrated AI to reduce teacher workloads. AI tools, such as Google Barb and Teachermatic, have revolutionised teaching efficiency and improved the quality of educational materials. It has reduced weekly administrative tasks by an average of 5.1 hours per teacher, allowing them to develop students’ human skills more.

Expert Opinions On The Future Of AI In Education

The future of AI in education is largely optimistic, barring that AI tools are used responsibly to enhance the learning experience as a whole.

Here, we look at a recent interview with Stefania Giannini, Assistant Director-General for The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). Giannini stated: “It is crucial to prioritise ethical considerations and the preservation of education as a social and human-centred endeavour.”

UNESCO believes human educators should guide the implementation of AI in educational environments to maintain ethical responsibility. They further recommend that an age limit of 13 should be set for when students can access AI in schools, as human teachers play a pivotal role in shaping young kids to reach their full potential. 

The Conversation Continues

AI in education is moving at lightning speed. Should we be concerned about our children’s future? How would AI tutors impact college and university admission fees?

Are we prematurely praising AI intervention or celebrating easier accessibility to educational resources and remote learning?

Join the discussion on how AI is reshaping education and share your thoughts below.

We’d love to hear what you think…