Title: South Australian High Schools Trial Educational AI Chatbot, Edchat
In an exciting development for Australian education, the South Australian government has launched a groundbreaking trial of AI technologies in eight public high schools. This trial marks the first of its kind in the country and aims to explore the use of AI in supporting student learning while also assessing the potential benefits and risks associated with these new technologies. Developed by the state’s education department in collaboration with Microsoft, Edchat, an educational AI chatbot similar to ChatGPT, will be the centerpiece of this eight-week trial.
Unlike ChatGPT or Google Bard, Edchat has been specifically designed for educational purposes, tailoring its responses to enhance students’ learning experiences. Rather than simply providing direct answers to student queries, Edchat offers hints, suggestions, and even poses counter-questions, emulating the support provided by a dedicated tutor. Accessible 24/7, both inside and outside the classroom, Edchat aims to provide students with comprehensive assistance throughout their academic journey.
It is worth noting that despite the advent of ChatGPT in 2022, South Australia remains the only Australian state that has not banned AI tools in public schools. In contrast, the Western Australia government recently lifted the AI ban for teachers in public schools, widening opportunities for AI implementation. Nevertheless, concerns over a digital divide between public and private schools persist, as private institutions have been more inclined to embrace AI technology.
Efforts to restrict or ban the use of AI technologies in schools are fraught with challenges. According to a survey by YouthInsight in June 2023, 70% of Australian teenagers aged 14 to 17 have already used ChatGPT, with 59% leveraging it for schoolwork or studying, and 42% relying on it to complete assignments. Restricting access to these tools may lead students to seek informal and unsupervised spaces for their AI usage. Prohibitions would deny students the opportunity to receive supervised support in developing the skills necessary to utilize these technologies effectively for their educational and future professional pursuits.
The SA school trial holds promise in addressing the ongoing debate surrounding the benefits and challenges of integrating AI tools into student learning. By collecting usage data from Edchat, provided by the government, researchers will gain insights into how students interact with AI, the nature of their queries, patterns of usage, and more. This wealth of real-world data will offer valuable information to inform decisions on the future adoption of AI in schools.
This trial is expected to attract considerable attention, with other governments worldwide closely monitoring its progress. The findings will inform their ongoing deliberations on AI implementation in educational settings.
Key questions surrounding the impact of AI on student learning remain a focus of this trial. Opinions on the matter are polarized, with some experts asserting that AI may diminish students’ critical thinking and writing abilities. Conversely, proponents view AI as a valuable tool to improve student motivation, engagement, confidence, and creative potential. The SA trial presents an opportunity to gather concrete evidence of the impact of AI on student learning, shedding light on these divergent perspectives.
In addition to examining the impact of AI, the trial should also focus on identifying effective teaching practices leveraged alongside AI. Reports of positive experiences abound, indicating that AI technologies have facilitated tailored examples, provided feedback on writing, and supported critical thinking and idea generation. The SA trial has the potential to generate robust evidence of effective AI-enabled classroom practices.
Furthermore, the trial should address concerns about the integrity of assessments in an AI-enabled environment. Current assessment practices primarily evaluate learning products, such as essays, rather than the learning processes themselves. However, apprehensions exist that excessive reliance on tools like ChatGPT may compromise the effectiveness of assessments if students use automated assistance to craft their essays. This trial presents an opportunity to reimagine assessment practices, incorporating AI while ensuring rigor and evidence of student learning outcomes.
The rise of ChatGPT and the inaugural trial of Edchat highlight the need for a thoughtful and transparent approach to incorporating technology in schools. Through comprehensive data collection and analysis, we can uncover the true impact of AI on student learning and design effective practices that harness its potential. As the SA trial progresses, educators, policymakers, and researchers eagerly anticipate the insights it will provide, informing future decision-making in the field of AI in education.
Disclaimer: The University of South Australia provides funding as a member of The Conversation AU.
