Modern technology has been evolving at an unprecedented speed. It has reached the point where people can’t live a day without interacting or relying on complex, modern technology. However, some progress has been more intriguing and somewhat unnerving than others. Thus, artificial intelligence technology has existed since the 1950s. Yet, it’s only recently that such technology has gained such wide popularity across various industries and companies. Today, AI is often used for purposes like the personalization of our online content, face recognition, operational management, and so much more. Hence, we interact with AI on social media platforms, Netflix, news feeds, our cameras, etc. However, one area that keeps coming up the most in AI conversation is its influence on education. The ability of AI to learn, process, and express information make some people wonder whether AI is the future of the education system. In other words, people seem concerned about artificial intelligence replacing teachers. So do such concerns have any foundation for them? Let’s find out. Here is what we so far know about AI in teaching.
Table of Contents
What Is AI?
In short, artificial intelligence is the technology with the unique capacity to learn new information, synthesize it, draw conclusions, and provide solutions. Thus, such a term refers to machine intelligence. This idea or technology itself is not new. However, it’s only recently that AI has achieved great progress and has slowly integrated into most tech processes of today, including educational technology.
The Common Uses of AI in Education
The current education system already uses AI technology in various ways. Thus, this technology is already introduced to teachers and learners. Though, perhaps, its uses are a bit different from what the concerned party imagines. These are the top four ways educational technology uses AI in modern classrooms.
Taking over repetitive tasks
AI technology can process and understand languages. Such a function allows AI to do most of the mundane, repetitive work for teachers. For example, these programs can help evaluate tests or even essays and check other text forms. With this help, educators enjoy more time to dedicate to their students and other important teaching aspects.
Tracking progress
AI can analyze every student’s progress in classrooms, creating graphics, reports, and suggestions for improvement. Thus, it can underline the area where students have made the most progress vs. the least progress based on their achievements, grades, and other parameters. Moreover, such reports will have absolute accuracy and unbiased opinions, which are hard to maintain for humans.
Personalizing learning processes
Each student learns differently, at their own pace and using personal methods. However, teachers can’t differentiate all those nuances across dozens of students. That’s where AI is usually used. The technology can customize a curriculum per each student’s needs based on their performance, learning methods, testing, etc. Thus, each student can maximize their learning efficiency, whereas educators receive a bigger picture of their students’ needs.
Improving accessibility of education
AI can bring education to everyone. Soon, it will be possible to organize learning processes of high inclusivity and diversity. International students, students with special needs, young people with visual or hearing impairments, and others will enjoy equal access to education. AI can provide them with additional help, resources, or classes based on their needs.
AI vs. Teachers
So, an AI educator is basically a program that is designed to teach. Such technology focuses on providing relative information, assessing received results, correcting mistakes, customizing programs, and repeating the whole cycle. Sure, it does sound like a teacher’s role. However, there is a lot missing from such teaching processes. Mainly, an AI teacher can’t develop a human connection with students, which is essential for successful learning.
Thus, human educators can read students’ emotions, note whenever students have issues learning, or experience some other behavior needing personal attention. Teachers who connect emotionally with their students and earn their respect can also inspire and motivate learners. Overall, teachers don’t only deliver information but help interest young people and engage them in learning. A machine can make interactive lessons. However, these will be more entertaining than inspiring.
Most importantly, machines can only do what they are programmed to do. AI can learn and adapt. Yet, it doesn’t think for itself. For example, it has to be programmed to apply text analysis methods or face recognition to perform such a function. Thus, a computer won’t be able to adjust its program whenever a student misunderstands the lesson or can’t keep up with the pace. It also can’t adapt its teaching to students who join mid-program/mid-lesson or suddenly require extra attention. Of course, in such a case, students can count on services like edubirdie for help. However, such measures should be an exception rather than the rule.
What Is Next?
AI progress is happening much faster than even the tech optimists predicted. So, it’s only a matter of time before AI becomes an everyday part of our lives, including education. Yet, it’s hard to predict the development of AI in educational sectors today. In fact, anyone willing to learn more can order proper academic research on the topic right after reading the assignment mavens reviews and proceeding to their site.
Final Thoughts
Artificial intelligence development has come a long, long way. There is no denial about that. The future of AI is bright and promising. But, so far, we have only scratched the surface of what benefits AI can bring to most industries and areas of our lives. From optimizing workflows to enhancing user experience, AI has the power to upgrade many services and processes. Yet, what it can’t do is be a real teacher to our children.
AI technology can help educators to enhance work processes in classrooms and beyond. Yet, it can’t replace teachers in their roles. At least for now. AI’s ability to learn makes it a perfect helper for teaching. Yet, it alone is not enough to deliver students information and help them understand and work with it. AI has not yet achieved (and maybe will never achieve) the human touch to understand students’ struggles, thought processes, emotions, and special needs.
The future of education still belongs to teachers, who are here to guide younger generations with patience and understanding.