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>