Understanding the Shift Toward AI-Based Customized Learning in Schools
Amidst advancements in digital learning, a significant push is being made for the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into tailored educational experiences. Despite teachers acknowledging the importance of AI technology in education, its application in classrooms remains sparse. To address this, experts suggest that the development of substantial support systems for teachers and motivational policies is crucial.
During the first KEDI Educational Policy Network Workshop, conducted online on the 16th, Professor Han Jung-yoon from the Graduate School of Education at the University of Seoul presented insights into “The State and Tasks of AI-Based Customized Education.” Professor Han discussed the pivot towards digital educational innovation, emphasizing the need for data governance, expansion of best practices across educational administrations, role-sharing between central government and local education offices, and improving teachers’ digital competencies and support.
The Vital Role of Teachers in Advancing EdTech
The pivotal role of teachers in actualizing tangible changes with high-tech educational tools was highlighted. For effective use of these innovative tools, reducing the burden on teachers through proper guidance, enhancing service usability, and improving digital device management support was deemed essential.
Despite exhibiting a generally positive attitude towards AI use in education (scoring an average of 3.83 out of 5), the actual implementation of AI-based personalized education tools by teachers is relatively low (61.9% reported no usage experience), as per a survey in the KEDI Brief report on “Teachers’ Perceptions and Experiences with AI-Based Customized Education.”
Challenges and Solutions for AI-Based Educational Integration
The Delphi method, an iterative expert opinion-gathering process, was used to derive policy solutions for AI-based personalized education. Professor Han proposed 12 tasks across five areas, stressing the necessity for active role adaptation by teachers and the establishment of a robust support system.
There was a recognition that some schools overly rely on the personal beliefs and sacrifices of a few teachers. To counteract this, Professor Han insisted on building concrete support and motivation systems for teachers, collaborating with educational offices, the private sector, and local universities for testing fields, and reducing teacher workload while enhancing capabilities through the introduction of AI-based services.
Participants from the school frontlines also highlighted the need for diversified support strategies, noting that AI platforms could be effectively used for various student groups such as those struggling with fundamental skills or from multicultural backgrounds. A participating primary school teacher from Gangwon Province, currently involved in a research school project for improving foundational skills through AI platforms, concurred that while AI is beneficial, the teacher’s role remains crucial, especially for students who require additional mentoring or support systems beyond AI tools.
Key Questions and Answers:
1. What are the benefits of AI in customized education?
AI can provide personalized learning experiences by adapting to individual student needs, capabilities, and learning styles, thereby enhancing engagement and effectiveness. It also allows for real-time feedback and assessment, enabling students to progress at their own pace.
2. What are the major challenges in integrating AI technology into education?
Challenges include ensuring data privacy and security, overcoming resistance from educators and institutions, addressing the digital divide to ensure equitable access to technology, and providing sufficient teacher training and support.
3. Can AI replace teachers in the educational process?
No, AI is not intended to replace teachers but to augment the educational process. Teachers play a vital role in providing emotional support, facilitating social interactions, and using professional judgment that AI cannot replicate.
4. How can schools prepare teachers to effectively use AI in education?
Professional development programs, hands-on training workshops, and providing teachers with support networks for sharing best practices are methods for preparing educators to incorporate AI tools in their teaching.
Key Challenges and Controversies:
One of the main challenges is the potential for AI to widen the education gap due to unequal access to technology among different socioeconomic groups. Additionally, there are concerns about the effect of screen time on children’s development, reliability of automated grading, and standardization potentially inhibiting creativity. Ethical issues also arise concerning the use of student data and algorithmic bias that can impact fairness in educational opportunities.
Advantages:
– Personalization: AI can tailor content to fit the needs of individual learners.
– Efficiency: Automates administrative tasks and grading, allowing teachers to focus on instruction.
– Accessibility: Provides additional resources for students with disabilities and those learning in non-traditional environments.
Disadvantages:
– Equity concerns: Risks exacerbating the digital divide.
– Data Privacy: Raises issues about how student information is collected, used, and protected.
– Over-reliance: May lead to a decrease in face-to-face interactions, which are essential for developing social skills.
You can explore more about the role of AI in education by visiting the websites of educational institutions and edtech companies. Please verify the URLs before visiting:
– Massachusetts Institute of Technology – for research on AI education
– U.S. Department of Education – for policies on technology in education
Remember to ensure that any URLs provided are 100% valid and pertain directly to the topic of AI in education before visiting them.
The source of the article is from the blog lanoticiadigital.com.ar