🌦️Unit 1, Lesson 2: Education and Technology
1.
Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionise the way we learn and teach. As a tool in the classroom, AI can provide students with personalised learning experiences, automate repetitive tasks and provide instant feedback. However, it also has its limitations. Let us explore the pros and cons of AI as a tool in the classroom, address the concern that AI could be a threat to teachers' and instructors' jobs and discuss the role of EdTech Companies in advancing this AI use case.
2.
One of the main advantages I see of AI in the classroom is personalised learning. AI-powered educational tools can analyse data on student performance and provide tailored support to improve their grades.
AI can also provide instant feedback. For example, AI-powered educational tools can provide students with immediate feedback on their work, allowing them to identify and correct mistakes quickly.
Another advantage of AI is its ability to automate repetitive tasks. It can grade assignments and quizzes, which can free up teachers' time for other tasks, such as lesson planning and providing more one-on-one attention to students.
There are already a few AI tools that support learning in classroom or workplace contexts. For example, Ahura is an AI-powered learning assistant that tracks learning habits by observing attention and interaction. Knewton offers an adaptive learning platform that provides personalized learning experiences for students. Querium is an AI-powered tutor that provides students with step-by-step tutoring on math problems and builds personalized lesson plans. ALEKS is an AI-powered learning platform that provides individualized learning paths based on students' strengths and weaknesses. Carnegie Learning offers an AI-powered tutor that helps students improve their math skills by providing personalised learning based on their performance. There's also Smart Sparrow, which allows users to provide constructive feedback that is unique to each student. Finally, Gradescope is an AI-powered grading tool that automates the grading process, which can free up teachers' time and allow them to provide more individualised attention to students.
These are just a few examples of AI tools with applications in the classroom. It is important to note that these tools should not replace teachers but rather assist them in their work.
3.
Some teachers and instructors may see AI as a threat to their jobs, believing it will automate their tasks and make them redundant. But it is important to note that AI is not meant to replace teachers but rather to assist them in their work. AI is a tool and should be developed and used as such.
There are also negatives to consider, one of which is the cost of developing and implementing AI-powered educational tools. This can be a significant barrier for schools and teachers who need more resources to invest in AI technology.
There is also the lack of human interaction and emotional support that students receive when using AI-powered educational tools. While AI can provide personalized learning and instant feedback, it cannot replace the human and emotional support that students need to succeed, and relying too heavily on AI-powered educational tools may impact students negatively.
Privacy concerns are also a limitation of AI in the classroom. AI-powered educational tools may collect and store sensitive personal data, which raises concerns about privacy and security.
4.
EdTech Companies play a crucial role in advancing the use of AI in the classroom and ensuring that it is used ethically and responsibly.
The cost of developing and implementing AI-powered educational tools can be a significant barrier for schools and teachers. EdTech Companies should work to make AI technology accessible to a broader range of schools and teachers and explore alternative funding options, such as grants or partnerships, to help offset the costs.
AI-powered educational tools cannot replace the human and emotional support that students need to succeed. EdTech Companies should aim to develop AI tools that augment, rather than replace, the role of teachers and provide students with a well-rounded education that includes both personalized learning and human interaction.
Privacy concerns are a significant limitation of AI in the classroom. EdTech Companies must ensure that the sensitive personal data collected and stored by AI-powered educational tools are properly secured and that privacy is maintained.
Current AI-powered educational tools have limitations, such as a lack of creativity and originality and a limited understanding of context. EdTech Companies should aim to improve AI capabilities and overcome these limitations to create more advanced, innovative and effective AI tools for the classroom.
EdTech Companies should consider the ethical implications of AI technology in education and develop AI tools in a transparent, fair and responsible manner. They must also ensure that they develop and use AI tools in accordance with the laws and regulations governing data privacy, security and intellectual property.
In conclusion, AI has the potential to be a valuable addition to the classroom. Still, EdTech Companies should develop AI tools with caution and in collaboration with teachers, educators and students to ensure that they are helpful, ethical and effective in meeting the needs of learners. I believe that AI could revolutionise the way we teach and learn.
Necessary Words and Phrases
| Word | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Edtech Company (Noun) | IPA: /ˈɛdˌtɛk ˈkʌmpəni/ | /ˈɛdˌtɛk ˈkʌmpəni/ Bengali: শিক্ষা-প্রযুক্তি প্রতিষ্ঠান Synonyms: Educational technology firm, Learning tech company |
Many Edtech companies focus on digital learning solutions. |
| Redundant (Adjective) | IPA: /rɪˈdʌndənt/ | /rɪˈdʌndənt/ Bengali: অপ্রয়োজনীয়; পুনরাবৃত্ত Synonyms: Unnecessary, Superfluous |
The report contained several redundant statements. |
| Implement (Verb) | IPA: /ˈɪmplɪˌmɛnt/ | /ˈɪmpləmənt/ Bengali: বাস্তবায়ন করা; কার্যকর করা Synonyms: Execute, Apply |
The school plans to implement a new grading policy. |
| Augment (Verb) | IPA: /ɔːɡˈmɛnt/ | /ɔːɡˈmɛnt/ Bengali: বৃদ্ধি করা; প্রসারিত করা Synonyms: Increase, Enhance |
The company aims to augment learning with digital tools. |
| Interaction (Noun) | IPA: /ˌɪntərˈækʃən/ | /ˌɪntɚˈækʃən/ Bengali: পারস্পরিক ক্রিয়া Synonyms: Communication, Engagement |
Teacher-student interaction enhances understanding. |
| Innovative (Adjective) | IPA: /ˈɪnəˌveɪtɪv/ | /ˈɪnəˌveɪtɪv/ Bengali: নবীন; উদ্ভাবনী Synonyms: Creative, Original |
They introduced an innovative teaching method. |
| Ethical (Adjective) | IPA: /ˈɛθɪkəl/ | /ˈɛθɪkəl/ Bengali: নৈতিক; নীতিসম্মত Synonyms: Moral, Principled |
Researchers must follow ethical guidelines. |
| Collaboration (Noun) | IPA: /kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃən/ | /kəˌlæbəˈreɪʃən/ Bengali: সহযোগিতা Synonyms: Cooperation, Partnership |
The project succeeded through collaboration. |
| Caution (Noun) | IPA: /ˈkɔːʃən/ | /ˈkɑːʃən/ Bengali: সতর্কতা Synonyms: Carefulness, Prudence |
Handle the chemicals with caution. |
| Paraphrase (Verb/Noun) | IPA: /ˈpærəˌfreɪz/ | /ˈpærəˌfreɪz/ Bengali: অন্যভাবে বলা; পুনর্লিখন Synonyms: Reword, Restate |
Students were asked to paraphrase the paragraph. |
| Demonstrate (Verb) | IPA: /ˈdɛmənˌstreɪt/ | /ˈdɛmənˌstreɪt/ Bengali: প্রদর্শন করা; প্রমাণ করা Synonyms: Show, Illustrate |
The teacher will demonstrate the experiment. |
| Patchwriting (Noun) | IPA: /ˈpætʃˌraɪtɪŋ/ | /ˈpætʃˌraɪtɪŋ/ Bengali: প্যাচরাইটিং (অপরের লেখা কিছুটা পরিবর্তন করে নিজের লেখা হিসেবে উপস্থাপন করা) Synonyms: Imitative writing, Improper paraphrasing |
Patchwriting is considered a form of plagiarism. |
| Ripe opportunity (Noun) | IPA: /raɪp ˌɒpəˈtjuːnɪti/ | /raɪp ˌɑːpərˈtuːnɪti/ Bengali: উপযুক্ত সুযোগ Synonyms: Perfect chance, Ideal moment |
This is a ripe opportunity for career growth. |
| Citation (Noun) | IPA: /saɪˈteɪʃən/ | /saɪˈteɪʃən/ Bengali: উদ্ধৃতি Synonyms: Reference, Quotation |
Each source must have a proper citation. |
| APA (Noun) | IPA: /ˌeɪ piː ˈeɪ/ | /ˌeɪ piː ˈeɪ/ Bengali: এপিএ উদ্ধৃতি ধরন Synonyms: APA Style, American Psychological Association format |
Use APA format for citing psychology papers. |
| MLA (Noun) | IPA: /ˌɛm ɛl ˈeɪ/ | /ˌɛm ɛl ˈeɪ/ Bengali: এমএলএ উদ্ধৃতি ধরন Synonyms: MLA Style, Modern Language Association format |
English papers often follow the MLA citation style. |
| Chicago (Noun) | IPA: /ʃɪˈkɑːɡoʊ/ | /ʃɪˈkɑːɡoʊ/ Bengali: শিকাগো উদ্ধৃতি ধরন Synonyms: Chicago Style, Turabian format |
History researchers commonly use the Chicago citation style. |
1. Multiple Choice Questions
- What is emphasized as one of the main advantages of AI in the classroom?
- The complete automation of lesson planning.
- The provision of personalized learning experiences for students.
- The ability to replace the need for all teaching staff.
- The elimination of all student privacy concerns.
- According to the article, what common repetitive task can AI help automate for teachers, thus freeing up their time?
- Leading in-depth classroom debates.
- Grading assignments and quizzes.
- Conducting parent-teacher conferences.
- Providing human emotional support.
- What is cited as a significant barrier for schools to invest in AI technology?
- The lack of teacher interest in new tools.
- The cost of developing and implementing the AI-powered educational tools.
- The limited understanding of context by students.
- The lack of instant feedback provided by current tools.
- The AI tool 'Gradescope' is primarily designed to perform which function?
- Tracking learning habits and engagement.
- Building personalized lesson plans.
- Automating the grading process.
- Providing step-by-step math tutoring.
- Edtech companies are advised to develop AI tools that, in relation to the teacher's role, should:
- Augment, rather than replace, the role of teachers.
- Replace teachers in providing emotional support.
- Focus exclusively on non-academic administrative tasks.
- Work independently of teachers' lesson plans.
- What is one of the limitations of current AI-powered educational tools that Edtech companies should aim to improve?
- Their high speed in processing data.
- A lack of creativity and originality.
- Their inability to analyze student performance.
- Their focus on individualized learning paths.