The AI market will grow to a $190 billion industry by 2025, according to research firm Markets and Markets. AI improves our lives through every aspect of industry; optimizing logistics, detecting fraud, composing art, conducting research, providing translations, and many other tasks.In the fast-paced world we live in, where technology is rapidly evolving, the field of education must adapt to keep pace with the changing needs of students. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a powerful tool that has the potential to revolutionize K-12 education. With its ability to process vast amounts of data, personalize learning experiences, and augment teacher capabilities, AI holds the promise of creating a more effective and engaging educational environment for both teachers and students. So, how can we harness this power to drive outstanding practices for the new and upcoming academic year?
One of the significant advantages of AI in K-12 education is its capacity to provide personalized learning experiences for students. Each student has unique strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles, and AI can help tailor educational content to meet their individual needs. AI-powered adaptive learning platforms can analyze student data, track their progress, and deliver personalized instruction and feedback. By identifying knowledge gaps, offering targeted interventions, and adjusting the pace and complexity of learning materials, AI empowers students to learn at their own pace, fostering greater engagement and understanding. Some of the better tools to achieve this, such as Kinteract, SIMS or ISAMS, can transform the way a teacher delivers lessons and truly tailor learning trajectories for success. A similar technology is being used by Duolingo, the popular language learning tool, where trajectories are designed based on the learner’s input on a day to day basis.
AI is not here to replace teachers; rather, it is a powerful tool that can augment their capabilities and enable them to deliver more effective instruction. AI can assist teachers in a variety of ways, such as automating administrative tasks, generating data-driven insights, and facilitating personalized instruction. This could greatly impact teacher wellbeing by reducing workload and improving student outcomes. Teacher wellbeing at an all time low. A recent study by the American Educational Research Association, teachers are 40% more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety than other professions. By automating routine tasks like grading, attendance tracking, and lesson planning, AI frees up valuable time for teachers to focus on more meaningful activities, such as actually teaching!!!
AI can analyze vast amounts of educational data, such as assessment results and student performance metrics, to provide teachers with valuable insights. By identifying patterns, trends, and learning gaps, AI empowers teachers to make informed decisions about instructional strategies, interventions, and curriculum design. This data-driven approach enables teachers to provide targeted support to struggling students and challenge high achievers, leading to improved learning outcomes for all. Tools such as Grammarly, are known to help improve students’ writing through the use of NLP (natural language processing) powered technology. Their systems can analyze text and provide valuable feedback to students, making the quality of work higher. Computer vision (CV) tools, such as object detection or image classification, also have important applications in education, predominantly in grading tests and marking.
Marking is a key pain point for teachers and rates as one of the highest areas of dissatisfaction on most surveys. We all remember the times when you drag big bags of students’ workbooks home to face into on the weekend, spending hours pouring over them in an effort to keep up with school demands. CV can automate the grading process by detecting where students have bubbled in their answers. In the rapidly evolving world, it is crucial to equip students with the skills they need to thrive in the future job market. AI can play a vital role in developing these skills by fostering critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity.
AI-powered tools and applications can provide immersive learning experiences, simulations, and real-world scenarios that engage students in authentic problem-solving tasks. These experiences enable students to develop essential skills like collaboration, communication, and adaptability, preparing them to succeed in a technology-driven world. Moreover, AI can help bridge the gap between education and industry by providing students with exposure to emerging technologies and industries. By incorporating AI into the curriculum, students can gain hands-on experience with AI applications, understand ethical considerations, and explore potential career paths in fields like data science, robotics, and machine learning.
Artificial Intelligence has the potential to revolutionize K-12 education by providing personalized learning experiences, enhancing teaching practices, and preparing students for the future. By harnessing the power of AI, teachers can create more engaging and effective learning environments that cater to the diverse needs of their students. However, it is essential to approach the integration of AI in education with careful consideration, ensuring ethical use, addressing privacy concerns, and maintaining a balance between technology and human interaction. With thoughtful implementation, AI can serve as a powerful ally, empowering teachers and students alike to embrace the opportunities of the digital age and unlock their full potential. So, with all this in mind- how are you encorporating AI into your classroom this academic year?
References:
Sanjay Adhikesaven, 2023, Artificial Intelligence is Transforming Modern Education, How AI impacts today’s classrooms and the exciting path forward
H. E. Ascencio, C. F. Peña, K. R. Vásquez, M. Cardona and S. Gutiérrez, Automatic Multiple Choice Test Grader using Computer Vision (2021), IEEE Mexican Humanitarian Technology Conference (MHTC)
Marla Koenigsknecht,, 2022, Teachers Experienced More Anxiety than Healthcare Workers During the Pandemic, American Educational Research Assosciation
Catherine O'Farrell is one of the founders of Incluzun.com, an organisation supporting people of determination in a holistic way across the MENA region. Catherine has been working in education and inclusion for almost 20 years, she has degrees in Education, Psychology and a masters in Engineering. She is passionate about developing opportunities for children with individual needs. She is an international school inspector, has been a Group Head for some of the region's largest educational providers and has worked with international and national committees from the Global Sustainability Network to the Ministry of Education here in the UAE to push for a more sustainable and inclusive world. Catherine is a regular media contributor and conference speaker.
