Since the advent of Covid-19, the need for more flexibility in education has been given considerable attention. Also, the world has fulfilled the need successfully with online learning, online working, mobile workspaces, and working from home.
Nowadays, teachers are increasing the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) technology into classrooms to enhance student learning. One of the overarching discussions with educationalists is ‘Should we block AI?’, or ‘Is using Chat GPT cheating?’
In fact, AI is becoming a mainstay in discussions around technology use in the classrooms. We are already ubiquitously surrounded by AI in our everyday lives, with our smartphones at home, and in transportation, to name a few hence, it is a logical progression.
As an educationalist for the last 24 years with police cadets and various paramedics, I know there have been many evolutions with tech, and the ‘Is that cheating?’ conversations go back to spell check, then YouTube, then Alexa, and now AI chatbots and tools.
Undoubtedly, let’s say that AI can transform education by providing personalised learning experiences, real-time feedback and assessment, and adaptive content that adjust to the student's level of knowledge and pace of learning.
Moreover, using AI technology in the classroom can give our students a cutting-edge education that prepares them for the future. Indeed, it is time to embrace and move on from the blocking of technology that will only get more sophisticated.
As educators, we are responsible for preparing our students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. This includes equipping them with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.
As far as some teachers are concerned, they have questions or concerns about using AI in the classroom. If this is the case, we have to take steps to ensure that the AI technology used is secure, reliable, and designed with student privacy in mind.
In addition, training shall be provided to all teachers on how to integrate AI technology into their lessons effectively. This training should include guidance on how to use AI tools, apps, and platforms usefully.
Furthermore, AI has the potential to transform education in many ways, and here are some reasons why educational institutions should embrace the technology.
As we know, one of the significant advantages of AI in education is that it allows for personalised learning. By analyzing students’ learning patterns and preferences, AI can tailor the educational experience to meet their needs, provide immediate feedback, and generate personalised study plans for each student, helping them to learn at their own pace and improve their academic performance.
Another advantage would be increased student engagement which means AI can make learning more engaging and interactive.
AI-powered virtual assistants and educational games can enhance student motivation and provide support when instructors may be unavailable. Enhanced teaching efficiency shall be another important benefit of AI which is easy to automate routine administrative tasks such as grading, attendance-taking, and even lesson planning.
Eventually, I would say that it’s good to use AI to support the students in order to meet the actual learning outcomes. Therefore, teachers and technology can go hand in hand to bring up the best in the students. Let us uphold that learning at the forefront of all technology use, and the same is true for AI.
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