Educational Technology News

New webinar series explores the potential of teaching and learning with AI

One of the forms of artificial intelligence is machine learning, which can be used to analyze info, make predictions, and make decisions or suggestions. This means that an ML-based app can be taught a lot of data. After that, it can fulfill different tasks. There are several ways that artificial intelligence can be leveraged in education."

"Despite the promises of artificial intelligence, it is critical that educators and administrators consider the unintended consequences."

Artificial intelligence is already being experimented with to help automate grading, tailor lessons to students’ needs and assist English language learners.

The tech giant is sharing its hand-tracking software to allow others to develop translation apps.

"Cheating is a serious problem in American high schools and universities. According to the International Center for Academic Integrity (ICAI), about 68 % of undergraduate students and about 43 % of graduate students admit to cheating on tests or in written assignments. Even top tertiary institutions like Harvard, Stanford University, and Duke University among others have not escaped cheating scandals. Several studies point to a similar problem in high schools. Schools have been looking into ways to prevent high-tech cheating before it happens, and now artificial intelligence can also be leveraged for this purpose."

By integrating ACT Academy, the organization’s free test prep courseware, with Alexa, students will soon be able get info about the test, set study times, get reminders, and more.

The age of “true” AI in the classroom is still dawning, but is swiftly moving towards a point where it will bring about personalized learning at a scale and depth we have never seen before.

In 2017, my colleagues in the Personal Robots group ran a study. Children, ages 6-10 years of age, were invited to the Media Lab to play with various smart devices (think: Amazon Alexa or Google Home). After the kids had an opportunity to play and interact with these devices, the researchers asked them each the following question: do you think the device is smarter, just as smart, or less smart than you?

"Don’t assume it will be years before you need to worry about AI in the curriculum you teach. Artificial intelligence already has seeped into nearly every facet of our lives. It’s been permeating the fabric of our world, quite literally. Wearable technology like smart yoga pants and running socks have taken fashion into the future with connected sensors that monitor body data and measure workout efficacy."

Artificial intelligence: John Hattie says pupils enjoy lesson led by robots because they can ask them the same question many times with impunity

"When we talk about artificial intelligence, we are talking about the development and ability of intelligent machine systems to perform simple or complex tasks that are usually performed by humans. Also, some of these intelligent machine systems can exhibit behavioral and emotional reactions that are distinctly human. However, as educators, we need to understand artificial intelligence on a deeper level, not just on the surface. If we stop at a surface definition and understanding, we will miss out on all of the amazing things that this technology can do for the field of education."

"In 2015 the Bank of England estimated that up to 15 million jobs were at risk of automation- scary, right! But what you don’t always hear about is that it is also predicted that these new technologies will create 133 million new jobs over the next 3 years. I am personally optimistic about the coming AI revolution I believe that it has the potential to unshackle us from the traditional 9–5 working routine, and could improve our lives, and the world around us, in many areas including better healthcare, education, maybe a reduction in world poverty."

We've all heard it: AI has the potential to transform education.

Thanks to self-learning algorithms, every aspect of the traditional learning environment is up for improvement. Whether the classroom continues to be a physical or a virtual space, AI will play an important role in improving student outcomes.

But how exactly is AI changing education?

"The digital age has profoundly changed the world we live in. The good news is; thanks to the opportunities offered by the increasingly digital information age, the job market is now dominated by advanced technology and automation. The bad news, however, is low and medium level repetitive jobs that are now possible through RPAs will be cut out. And the most worrisome is that most students are not well-prepared to face the challenges of this new market due to inadequate training in critical thinking, collaborative, creative and communication skills."

Our computers try to make humanlike judgments and perform tasks to make our lives easier, but if we’re not careful, AI will replicate our racism, too.

"Artificial intelligence is having a huge impact on education, transforming the sector in many positive ways and its impact is growing. In fact, the artificial intelligence sector in the U.S. education market is expected to grow 47.5% between 2017 and 2021 according to the latest market research report by Technavio."

"More than 20% of children in the United States will experience a traumatic event before they are 16 years old, but only some will go on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). How can we know which child is at risk for PTSD so that it can be prevented? "

As these teachers have come to understand, you don't have to be technically minded to introduce your students to the important concepts behind artificial intelligence.

The race is on for the AI-powered classroom: as AI software and programs learn how we learn, we will no doubt be able to teach more students, with better outcomes.

"China has big plans to become the world leader in AI and in 2017 the country publicly proclaimed this aim. That’s when China published its “Next Generation Artificial Intelligence Development Plan”, which laid out plans to ultimately become the world leader in artificial intelligence by 2030. To achieve this aim, China is implementing a three-part plan: 1. To be competitive in AI by 2020, 2. To make breakthroughs by 2025 and 3. To become the world leader in AI by 2010."

"Today, on Teacher Appreciation Day, I want to firmly drive home one very important point: AI will never replace our amazing teachers – and I’m saying that as the CEO of the online learning platform edX and in the business of developing education technology."

"Inspirational teachers of the future will be intelligent machines rather than humans as teacher AI continues to advance, according to a university vice chancellor and former headteacher."

The use of AI in education will pave the way to numerous possibilities so questioning its impact should have no place in any conversation about education.

"For the last 5 years, I have been telling colleagues that artificial intelligence in education has the potential to help make educators and students lives more manageable. It accomplishes this by allowing machines to complete tasks that are usually performed by humans. In turn, educators are free to focus on tasks that cannot be achieved by AI, and that requires emotional intelligence and experience to complete. But how can AI be used in nuanced areas of education such as literacy?"