Predictive Technologies and AI in Education
For the most part, AI technologies are being used in administration and in assisting educators for routine tasks, such as grading (Hotchin, 2024). Of the teachers that have been surveyed, 50 percent use AI, and the majority believe that it is valuable to their work (Ascione, 2024). There are already many tools available for educators, and it is likely that there will be many more in the future. For example, I found this video that looks at some tools for educators. The one that stood out for me was Curipod, which lets educators use AI to create presentations and activities. This is helpful and cuts down on the amount of the lesson planning. It is also interactive that the students can log onto.
These technologies impact the learning experience because it is more transparent. The learners have access to the same tools as the educators. I remember growing up and going to school, the teacher’s materials were mysterious to us, and it seemed like they had a plan we could only imagine. If the learners have access to the same platforms as the instructors, then the situation will feel more like a collaborative effort than a top-down one.
Benefits of AI in Education
AI can enhance learning in that it will cut down on the amount of work that needs to be done by both the educators and learners. This will help to focus on other aspects of the lessons, especially in critical thinking, team collaboration, and communication. For example, when creating a presentation, I would sometimes be halfway through creating a PPT or a video and not be happy with it, but since I had already put so much work into it, I would just go ahead and finish it. With AI programs though, a learner can have alternatives created in a matter of seconds. This will help learners be more creative. The same would apply to educators.
Moreover, another benefit is to have more immersive learning experiences. For example, using virtual reality can simulate real-world scenarios, and this is helpful in practicing languages or practicing workplace scenarios (Clugston, 2024). Even though it is thought that AI takes away the chance to be creative, it actually lets educators and learners use the platforms in a way to try different approaches to their projects.
Challenges of AI in Education
One of the major concerns about AI is the use of it by students for their assignments. However, AI is just as good a tool to actually find out of students have used it or other cheating methods. Another challenge has to do with data privacy. Many of these emerging platforms do not have safeguards and the user information can easily be hacked (Clugston, 2024). There is also the issue that AI technology is not as accessible to everybody. However, one way that these challenges can be handled is by first accepting that AI is going to be an integral part of education from now on, and this will lead to putting in the safeguards to protect user data, and also making sure it is accessible to others. As long as it is still something that is used hesitantly, then there will be many who cannot access it.
Ethical Considerations of AI in Education
Along with transparency and data privacy issues, there is also the ethical consideration of bias. I found this video that explains how AI was used in the justice system to give out sentences. It was discovered that the software was racially biased in that it was giving people of colour harsher sentences. Below is the video.
This reflects how technology is not neutral. It is embedded with biases and ideologies that are found in society, and that can often be based on racist, patriarchal, and gendered views. Educators can ensure that these biases do not affect the learning experiences of the students by calling attention to how the technology is not neutral. This will help the learners understand that the technology they are using is biased and also help them to navigate it.
Future Directions in EdTech
It is difficult to imagine what kinds of technologies will be available in education in the future since technology is advancing exponentially. I think there will major advancements in virtual reality and augmented reality. Students will be able to feel they are in the classroom while wearing their sets. This way, instead of having synchronous classes just through video, they will actually feel like they are sitting close to each other. Also, learners will be able to take field trips to museums and even be transported into role playing situations with their classmates. For example, if the class is learning about medieval London, they will be able to enter a world together in their VR headsets.
References
Ascione, L. (2024). “ Survey shows skyrocketing AI use in education.” ESchool News. https://www.eschoolnews.com/digital-learning/2024/11/07/survey-shows-skyrocketing-ai-use-in-education/
Clugston, B. (2024). “Advantages and Disadvantages of AI in Education.” U Can West. https://www.ucanwest.ca/blog/education-careers-tips/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-ai-in-education/
Hotchin, J. (2024). “The Future of Educational Technology.” EDCI 339.https://connectedlearningpathways.ca/category/edci-339-a01-module-5/