This is the third part of our study, Artificial Intelligence in Education: Can AI bring the full potential of personalized learning to education?
In this part, we study AI and Education's impact on society. It's a brave new world, and AI is at the center of what the future foundations will be.
Artificial Intelligence has become an integral part of our rapidly evolving educational landscape, bringing both opportunities and challenges. In this exploration, we'll delve into the societal impact of AI in educational institutions, its effects on students, teachers, and the overall educational system.
For AI to thrive in educational settings, a robust digital infrastructure is a prerequisite. This includes a reliable broadband internet connection, devices for both students and teachers, and accessible data to train AI models. Consider the case of Jusoor, a non-profit that serves displaced Syrian refugee children, that we at Yeti Confetti Kids also support. Students from this program don't have access to reliable broadband connection, nor regular access to devices. Without either, these students will not have an opportunity to have AI be a part of their educational experience.
Beyond the technical aspects, educators must recognize the value of AI applications, necessitating sufficient digital skills within the education sector. Subject-specific AI applications can then be integrated into teaching processes, paving the way for the eventual integration of diverse AI systems.
The impact of AI varies across educational sectors. In primary education, AI may lead to more personalized learning experiences, tailoring explanations to individual skill levels and learning styles. AI may able to better serve 4 year olds, who are capable of learning at a 6 year old level, and vice versa, a 6 year old that is learning at a 4 year old level. While true, this could result in increased screen time for students. As such, we need to strike a balance and ensure that we maintain personal interactions with teachers and other students. In secondary education, AI's impact is less pronounced, mainly influencing independent learning methods, particularly in STEM subjects. In higher education, the integration of AI into Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) could revolutionize learning, offering faster, cost-effective, and prestigious alternatives to traditional classrooms.
In the teacher-centric Dutch education system, AI must be designed with flexibility and adaptability to various teaching styles. While AI can automate tasks like material selection, assessment, and grading, it also presents an opportunity for teachers to focus on non-automatable aspects, such as social tasks like guidance and coaching. That is, teachers are able to potentially spend less time on administrative tasks, and more time of mentoring and teaching. However, adopting AI in education necessitates teachers to interpret AI outputs responsibly and translate them into concrete actions, which also has its own challenges.
AI has the potential to significantly impact education. Traditional competency-based grouping may shift towards personalized learning, emphasizing subjects over generic education levels. AI's ability to monitor a learner's performance throughout the learning process challenges the necessity of standardized tests. Rather than snapshots, AI offers continuous assessment, providing a more accurate representation of a student's abilities.
As AI continues to weave itself into the educational fabric, understanding its multifaceted impact is crucial. Striking a balance between technological advancements and preserving the essence of personalized education will shape the future of learning for generations to come. The journey may be transformative, but with informed decisions, we can harness the power of AI to enrich the educational experience for all. 🌐📚 #AIEducationImpact #FutureOfLearning
Link to the original paper (source)
