It seems that no sector is safe from the disruption of Artificial Intelligence. For the most part, the technology aims to improve industries rather than replace workforces. Education is no different.
The AI Market in the US Education Sector 2018 – 2022 report suggests that the ‘AI in education’ market is set to grow at a CAGR of 47.7% between 2018 and 2022. But what exactly does this mean, and how will AI impact the classroom?
How AI impacts the classroom
One of the ways in which we will see an impact is in the individualisation of learning methods. It reminds me of the (commonly misattributed to Albert Einstein) quote
“Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”
Cheesy, maybe, but it helps us understand the importance of individualised learning methods in schools. I’m sure we can all recall a subject we weren’t great at, and another that we excelled at. I’m sure we can all remember how we take new things in – even now – and how one way the information sticks better than in another. For me, I learn much better when doing something hands-on, than watching others do it and taking notes. You might be the type of person who learns better in a group setting. Perhaps you like sitting on your own with your head in a book. Or watching videos and engaging with interactive content. There is no right or wrong way to learn. Unfortunately, curriculums are not tailored down to the individual – when teaching classes of 30 or more students. But fear not, this is where Artificial Intelligence can step in and make a difference.
Personalised learning helps students and teachers
Thanks to AI, educators can forget about having to ‘teach to the middle’, and alienate a large segment of their class. The range of skills and learning abilities amongst 30+ individuals can be vast. But implementing personalised machine learning and artificial intelligence in lessons means everyone benefits. The power of AI allows for a customized curriculum to be delivered to all students.
There are, of course, many companies working on this technology, with Carnegie Learning being one of them. Their Mika learning software uses Artificial Intelligence to analyse the way students interact with the learning materials. This data feeds back to reporting tools that provide insights into learning ability. This helps inform students on what they need to work on and how. The possibilities of monitoring student interaction with learning materials are endless. Imagine an AI that interprets facial expressions to pick up where students are struggling, and thus tailor their individual learning accordingly. We’re already seeing AI that can read facial expressions, so this might not even be that far away!
Why education needs AI
AI in learning is not only important for developing students skills but also for creating ‘global classrooms’. Lack of education in poorer areas or less well-integrated areas is a real problem. Many face language barriers and lack physical accessibility to good schooling. AI can automate administrative tasks for teachers so that they can focus their attention on other areas of the learning experience. For all the teachers out there, you’ll know just how much time you spend marking papers, reports, coursework, filing, and finishing up other time-consuming paperwork. But what if there was an AI for that? Using machine learning and feeding in the relevant grade bandings and correct answers can help free up a lot more time for teachers. AI already marks multiple-choice questions and answers, and it might not be long until it is able to interpret written responses too.
Whilst in real terms, the education sector is sometimes a bit slower on the uptake of AI, changes are certainly happening. It’s an exciting time for the coming generations, and I for one, can’t wait to see where it takes us.
