SPONSORED BY FEATURE: AI IN EDUCATION
manner that it entirely replaces human teachers or real-world interactions. And while AI certainly brings many opportunities, it also presents challenges which must be taken into consideration.
One consideration is the ethics of AI, not least particularly regarding data privacy and the potential for bias in AI algorithms. Educational institutions must ensure that AI systems are transparent, fair, and accountable, and implementing ethical guidelines and policies for AI use is essential to address these concerns.
The potential for plagiarism and cheating is so often brought up in conversations around the use of AI in education. Much has been done to address this, with a focus on counteracting cheating when it comes to AI in education, and there are detecting tools which teachers can use. However, AI technology is developing fast and in such a way that it can sometimes be hard to spot. For instance, generative AI tools such as ChatGPT are becoming more and more capable of producing ‘natural’ text which passes assessments.
While, as discussed, AI has the potential to make personalised teaching available to more pupils, it is not entirely without cost, and costs can vary depending on the AI tool or platform in question. Implementing AI technologies can be expensive, and not all educational institutions may have the necessary resources. Ensuring equitable access to AI-driven educational tools is crucial to prevent further widening of the educational gap between well-funded and under-resourced schools.
There is also concern over the development of an AI skills gap due to the fact that some schools and institutions are eagerly adopting AI and embracing the benefits, while others have gone so far as to ban it. Here, expensive is not the concern but rather the above-mentioned issues of ethics, plagiarism, cheating and so forth. Others fear that using AI tools in education could lead to the erosion of teaching, writing and reasoning skills. Where educational institutions do decide to implement AI, teachers must be adequately trained to use AI tools effectively. Just as it is crucial that students do not come to rely solely on AI, nor should teachers, and professional development programmes should be implemented to help educators understand and leverage AI technologies in their teaching practices.
Plus, the potential to provide this individualised support can be furthered with the predictive analysis capabilities of AI, giving educators a head-start in the early identification of at-risk students who may be struggling. By analysing data on student performance, attendance, and behaviour, AI can even predict which students are likely to struggle and suggest targeted interventions.
Then there is the time-saving potential for teachers. It has long been the case that for many educators, bogged down with paperwork and general admin, a lack of time is a real issue. Here, too, AI can act as a helpful tool by streamlining administrative tasks, freeing up educators to focus more on teaching. For example, tasks such as grading, scheduling, and administrative paperwork can be automated using AI systems. Tools like Gradescope use AI to assist teachers in grading assignments more quickly and consistently, while chatbots can handle routine administrative queries, reducing the workload on administrative staff.
Smart classrooms and virtual learning
Clearly, the introduction of AI into educational institutions can bring mutual benefits for educators and students - and smart classrooms, equipped with advanced technologies to facilitate teaching and learning, are an exciting example. Using IoT devices, interactive whiteboards, and AI-driven systems, they aid the teaching process and create an interactive and immersive learning environment. For example, AI-powered cameras and sensors can monitor student engagement and provide real-time feedback to teachers, helping them adjust their teaching methods to better suit their students’ needs.
Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) can be also significantly enhanced with AI. These platforms can offer personalised learning paths, interactive simulations, and virtual labs, providing students with hands-on experience in a virtual setting.
Challenges and considerations
If used in the right way, both educators and students alike can benefit considerably from the incorporation of AI into the education system. But ‘incorporation’ is the key word here; AI should never be used in such a
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Then there is the matter of actually implementing AI. Depending on the platform or tool(s) in question, the successful use of AI demands robust technological infrastructure from educational institutions, from high-speed internet to cloud-based computing services, and advanced IT systems - and again, the matter of cost arises as a practical concern. If implemented effectively and used in the right way, AI has serious potential to change UK education for the better, enhancing both the teaching and learning experience. Already, though, it has proven divisive as some institutions embrace the possibilities while others - put off by the potential pitfalls - have rejected AI technology; and others simply cannot afford to adopt it.
It is too early to see the effect of AI on the educational gap between well- funded and under-resourced institutions. However, it looks like AI’s role in education is certainly set to expand - and if we can successfully tackle the challenges discussed, then we can hope for more effective, inclusive and engaging teaching and learning environments.
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