March 8: AI Use in Teaching

 I get emails from TED Talks weekly and I have started to  watch the ones that appear to be interesting.  They are great, as I'm sure most of you know.

Here is a 15 minute presentation by a man who runs a school that uses a particular sort of AI that helps each individual student through the day and as they learn all the school has to teach them.  In the presentation he shows the AI in action in real time, and how it tailors its responses to the individual student with whom it is working.  It is a fascinating demonstration of how the use of AI augments learning and improves learning outcomes, and it does not replace learning.

I have introduced all of my regular readers to Bard the AI, who is now Gemini the AI.  It is a large language model built to be asked questions which it can answer in a single response, not as a dialogue.  Still, I had to try...

<Des>   Can we have a discussion on the topic of AI use in teaching?

<Gemini>  Absolutely! AI is making significant strides in the education sector, and there's a lot to discuss concerning its potential benefits and challenges. Here are some starting points for our conversation:

Potential benefits of AI in teaching:

• Personalized learning: AI can analyze student data to identify individual strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles. This allows for tailored instruction and resources, catering to each student's specific needs.
• Adaptive learning platforms: AI-powered platforms can adjust the difficulty and pace of learning materials based on student performance, ensuring they are neither overwhelmed nor underchallenged.
• Automated grading and feedback: AI can grade multiple-choice questions and provide instant feedback, freeing up teachers' time for more personalized interactions and guidance.
• Accessibility and support: AI tools can offer 24/7 support to students, answering their questions and providing additional practice opportunities outside of class hours. This can be particularly beneficial for students with disabilities or those who require additional support.
• Engaging learning experiences: AI can power interactive games, simulations, and virtual environments, making learning more engaging and immersive for students.

Challenges and considerations:

• Overdependence on AI: It's crucial to remember that AI cannot replace human teachers. Their role in providing emotional support, fostering creativity, and guiding social interaction remains irreplaceable.
• Data privacy and security: Concerns exist regarding the collection and use of student data for AI applications. Ensuring data privacy and security is essential.
• Bias and fairness: AI algorithms can inherit biases from the data they are trained on. Careful selection and monitoring of training data are necessary to mitigate bias and ensure fairness in AI-powered educational tools.
• Teacher training and support: Integrating AI effectively requires proper training and support for teachers. They need to understand how to use AI tools effectively and responsibly in their classrooms.
• Accessibility and equity: Not all students may have access to reliable technology or the internet, potentially widening the digital divide and creating unequal learning opportunities.

These are just some initial points to consider. What are your specific thoughts on AI in education? Are there any specific areas of interest you'd like to explore further, or concerns you'd like to discuss?  <end>

Feb 16 - Threats to the Human Population

 This week I attended the Seattle Flower and Garden Show in the downtown Convention Center with Judy and daughter Shannon.  At one point we stopped at a booth attended by an older couple selling some garden stuff.  (I can call the older when they look older than I do, right?  Is that agist?)  We struck up a friendly conversation and it was quite apparent that they were a lively couple, and fun to talk to.  When he asked me if I had any questions he could answer, I asked, "What is the meaning of life?"  He said "Just a moment." and turned to his wife and asked that same question.  Without hesitating, she replied, "Don't get married."  So, there it is.  Why have I been working so hard to answer that question when everybody else seems to have a ready answer?

We did Meaning of Life in October last year, so that seems too recently to try and expand on what we said then.  Last week it was suggested we talk about Taylor Swift and her impact on the NFL, but that is now past and we need to look forward to other things.  When I asked for questions at the end of our last session people's moods seemed a bit dark, as the questions had to do with dysfunctional societies based on different religious perspectives, what will the tipping point be for revolution in the USA, and what is the meaning behind the movie, "Leave the World Behind".  I have to admit I have not watched the movie to the end at this point, so that is off the table at least for tonight's meeting.  The tipping point question is a good one, but isn't that a sociological question, and not a philosophical one?  And the tipping point for revolution could also be for WWIII, for that matter, as things seem to be going downhill in many places and in many ways.  

And the other suggestion raised was quite broad, with population growth, climate change, pollution, and the rise of AI all rolled into one mega-question that all threatens the human population of the earth.  Maybe the best approach for tonight would be to tease out these separate topics and try to discuss them individually first, and then integrate them into a discussion of the breadth of the threat to our personal lives.  It sounds like too much to do in one session, but it might work.  Do a little homework on your own, pick our your most concerning threat to human existence, and come prepared to defend your choice with examples and information.  Use bard, if you like:  www.bard.google.com  Just frame your question as you like and see what you get.

See you tonight!