AI in Schools, Good or Bad
The Brookings Institution’s Centre for Universal Education embarked on a yearlong global study into AI in schools.
They interviewed, held focus groups, and consulted with over 500 students, teachers, parents, education leaders, and technologists across 50 countries, undertook a close review of over 400 studies, and a Delphi panel.
Their conclusion: At this point in its trajectory, the risks of utilizing generative AI in children’s education overshadow its benefits.
They recognise that there are pros and cons:
AI ENRICHED LEARNING: Well-designed AI tools and platforms can offer students a number of learning benefits if deployed as a part of an overall, pedagogically sound approach.
AI DIMINISHED LEARNING: Overreliance on AI tools and platforms can put children and youth’s fundamental learning capacity at risk. These risks can impact students’ capacity to learn, their social and emotional well-being, their trusting relationships with teachers and peers, and their safety and privacy.
Let us pause for a moment though. With Alpha Schools in the US successfully using AI to disrupt the way education teaches (https://lnkd.in/eGJVU8cJ), this feels more about an environmental issue, than a technology one.
Alpha Schools have changed the role that teachers have. It is a bold move, and one that requires visionary educators who put the individual needs of students first.
There is a phrase, often mis-quoted, from Henry T Ford — if he had asked his customers what they wanted, they would have said 'faster horses'.
In reality, the education system, the way schools are set up and run may not be ready for what AI can bring.
Adding AI to the current methods of teaching may lead to students losing their ability to critically reason, or construct an argument, because AI is doing it for them.
The answer is likely a painful one — to rethink education — like Alpha Schools — from the student out, and build for that future. This is a great opportunity to leapfrog, but it takes bravery. Those in the private sector, or with nothing to lose, are most likely to benefit.
It is a reminder that it isn't what you have, it is how you use it.
Source
Link to the report: https://www.brookings.edu/articles/a-new-direction-for-students-in-an-ai-world-prosper-prepare-protect
BESCI AI OPINION
I can't help feel that sometimes it is better to pause and put the consumer of your intervention in the centre and look at things from their point of view. It might change everything.
It is what Netflix did — they put the movie goer in the centre — and made their life even easier, no more going to the store or sending back tapes/DVD's.
It is what Alpha Schools are doing — they are putting the student in the centre — and customising the learning to the individual.
It takes bravery, it takes boldness, it takes a willingness to break away from what has been done before. It takes an understanding of the subject, so that you don't lose something important.
With technology, and AI, it can move and scale quickly.
Are you being bold?
