Amid the national uproar of ChatGPT, the potential of implementing AI technology into the classroom is often discounted and wrongly overlooked. Working with Merlyn Mind, the maker of the world’s first AI-powered digital assistant for teachers, it has become clear that AI is capable of leading to significant transformations that enable teachers, students and schools. Here are three straightforward and powerful cases for AI in the classroom.
First, AI in the classroom can help to simplify teachers’ administrative tasks. Too often, educators are focused on these time-consuming and disruptive errands, which take away from teaching more important and meaningful concepts to their students. Instead of disrupting the flow of a class to pull up a video or document, an AI-powered digital assistant can easily and quickly be asked for the material, enabling teachers to stay focused on the most beneficial elements of their teaching.
Second, AI supports promoting education equity. Those who work in academia face many unique complexities when it comes to providing equal opportunities to all students. AI technology serves to support teachers in the classroom, allowing them to be more actively engaged with the students while providing worry-free access to materials, assignments, or additional guidance. This also allows students with disabilities to benefit as well, enjoying an enhanced learning experience that can better accommodate their needs.
Third, AI gives students the advantage of owning their own learning. When students are allowed to take the driver’s seat, they feel empowered and are more likely to be more engaged and actively involved in their education. AI-driven lesson delivery software makes this possible, allowing students to have greater freedom to explore the material at their own pace and teachers to offer personalized support when needed. Furthermore, AI-based tutors can be of great help for those who require extra assistance focusing on specific topics.
AI has been, and will continue to be, a game-changer for the way we learn, interact with others, and solve problems. To equip students for a future with AI, we need to embrace and welcome more of this technology into education.
Jennifer Foreman is the Chief Marketing Officer of Promethean, a global education technology company that is committed to transforming learning spaces and student engagement. Foreman is an advocate for making classrooms more engaging through the application of technology and is aiming to create meaningful change through her work.
