Teaching is a challenge. Instructors often teach a class of 30 or more students, making it difficult to give proper help and attention to each student. Every student learns at a different pace and in their own way.
Many instructors use computer programs to allow students to work at a pace they find comfortable. However, these programs make it easy for students to “beat the system,” not truly learn. Students often develop an extrinsic attitude toward learning in this setting. They think, “what is the fastest and easiest way for me to complete this program?”
Educational organizations frequently experiment with new methods of teaching. Due to machine learning, there has been an increase is the use of artificial intelligence and chatbots in teaching and learning. As we incorporate AI into teaching processes, it helps remove many roadblocks in education.
Examples of Bots in Learning
To name a few examples of bots being integrated into education and learning, Botsify specializes in multiple bot assistants from FAQ bots to tutoring bots. Mika is an AI math tutor that is used in higher education. Snatchbot has templates for teachers and administrators so they can customize a bot based on their needs in the classroom. There are even specialized bots like Ozobot that can teach lessons to individuals about coding.
Types of AI support in learning
There are already a few AI learning concepts that can be applied in education.
Adaptive learning uses AI to curate learning materials and exercises based on the respective needs of each student. Through analysis, knowledge gaps in each subject are found. The proper lessons and materials can be presented to the student based on their knowledge gaps.
Individualized learning detects and adjusts the learning rate of students. Because people learn at different paces, this can help address the issue of students being ahead of or behind the rest of the class.
Differentiated learning deals with the style of study and learning. Each student learns in a different way that is more favorable to them, thus being more effective.
Competency-based learning teaches students based on their current knowledge of a subject. This method also analyzes how well a student can apply their knowledge. Some students may already understand a concept and how to apply it well. Allowing them to move forward once they have demonstrated competence can help them to develop new knowledge and skills that will be more beneficial to them.
Help with Tutoring
As mentioned before, chatbots are being used more in education—especially with tutoring. Students are able to ask questions and receive answers immediately—wherever they are and whenever they need it.
In its earliest form, a computer scientist was able to build a bot based on psychology. This has proven to be useful in detecting learning styles of students and giving them learning materials that will help them most. Such a targeted approach to tutoring could yield better results over time.
Help with Administrative Tasks
Some of the daily stressors of instructors are simple, mundane and time-consuming tasks. One of these is grading, which can consume hours of one’s day. AI grading is already being used for multiple choice tests and has the capacity to grade written responses. While the technology is not completely trusted to analyze written work yet, it is being further developed to do so in the near future.
This would give teachers more time to focus on students rather than on paperwork. Because AI can analyze information quickly, students receive immediate feedback, rather than waiting days or weeks. Teachers can also receive recommendations to help students where they need it. This allows them to play a preventative role, as they can help students who are struggling before they fall too far behind.
Some tasks may also be frustrating or confusing for students, such as finding the right assignment in an online classroom database. Students can chat with an AI bot and ask where an assignment is located. They will quickly receive the answer so they don’t spend hours searching for the correct folder.
Further development
As AI and bot technology continues to improve, it will likely be used even more in education. Students already rely on this type of technology every day and are familiar enough with it that they can use it to their benefit.
