From personalised tutors to reducing teachers workload, find out how AI can be useful in the classroom.
AI is having a significant impact on education, from accelerating and reducing the cost of learning to changing the role of teachers in the classroom. Here are some of the ways AI is impacting different areas of education:
Pupils in the classroom
According to Forbes, AI has the potential to transform education by accelerating and reducing the cost of learning, even for basic skills like reading and writing. AI can personalise learning for individual students by providing tailored recommendations and feedback based on their learning style and progress. Additionally, AI-powered virtual tutors can provide students with one-on-one support, especially in areas where teachers may be in short supply.
So what might AI powered virtual tutors look like?
AI can analyse a student’s learning style, behaviour, and progress to create personalised learning plans that suit their needs. In addition to this, AI can provide immediate feedback to students on their work, helping them to learn from their mistakes and improve faster. AI is particularly useful if it’s identified close to exam time that a student needs extra support, as this can be implemented instantly. AI can adjust the difficulty of tasks based on a student’s performance and adapt the learning experience to their pace and level of understanding. Teachers and learning assistants can of course fulfil this role too, but using AI means that this experience can be made available to all students, not just those requiring extra support.
Pupils completing homework
Automated grading offered by AI is particularly useful for pupils when completing homework. AI-powered tools can automatically grade assignments, providing students with immediate feedback on their work. This can save time for teachers and provide students with timely feedback that can help them improve their work instantly. This is particularly useful when at home, so the teacher is receiving homework that’s already been checked, and the learner has already had a chance to improve.
Teachers’ well-being and workload
McKinsey reports that AI can reduce the administrative burden on teachers by automating routine tasks such as grading and attendance-taking, freeing up more time for instructional planning and preparation. However, the report also notes that training teachers on how to adapt to new technologies and curricula can be difficult, and the role of the teacher may shift from instructor to facilitator and coach. This shift is largely due to the increasing availability of information and technology, which has made it easier for students to access information and learn at their own pace.
Assessment
AI can streamline assessment by providing automated grading and feedback, which can save teachers time and reduce bias in grading. AI-powered assessment can also provide more personalised feedback to students and identify areas where students may be struggling.
The curriculum
AI can help to personalise learning by providing tailored recommendations and resources to students based on their individual needs and progress. This can be aligned to the curriculum so teachers can ensure that any gaps present in students’ knowledge that would affect how they’re awarded can be addressed. However, implementing new technologies and curricula can be challenging and require significant investment in teacher training and support.
Sources
httpss://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/teaching-learning-toolkit/homework
