AI in The Classroom: Pros, Cons and The Role Of EdTech Companies – By Olufemi Shonubi.
Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionise the way we learn and teach. As a tool in the classroom, AI can provide students with personalised learning experiences, automate repetitive tasks and provide instant feedback.
However, it also has its limitations. Let us explore the pros and cons of AI as a tool in the classroom, address the concern that AI could be a threat to teachers’ and instructors’ jobs and discuss the role of edtech companies in advancing this AI use case.
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Advantages of AI in the Classroom
One of the main advantages I see of AI in the classroom is personalised learning. Al-powered educational tools can analyse data on student performance and provide tailored support to improve their grades.
Al can also provide instant feedback. For example, AI-powered educational tools can provide students with immediate feedback on their work, allowing them to identify and correct mistakes quickly.
Another advantage of AI is its ability to automate repetitive tasks. It can grade assignments and quizzes, which can free up teachers’ time for other tasks, such as lesson planning and providing more one-on-one attention to students.
There are already a few AI tools that support learning in classroom or workplace contexts. For example, Ahura is an AI-powered learning assisant that tracks learning habits by observing attention and engagement. Knewton offers an adaptive learning platform that provides personalized learning experiences for students.
Querium is an AI-powered tutor that provides students with step-by-step tutoring on math problems and builds personalized lesson plans. ALEKS is an AI-powered learning platform that provides individualized learning paths based on students’ strengths and weaknesses. Carnegie Learning offers an AI-powered tutor that helps students improve their math skills by providing personalised learning based on their performance.
There’s also Smart Sparrow, which allows users to provide constructive feedback that is unique to each student. Finally, Gradescope is an Al-powered grading tool that automates the grading process, which can free up teachers’ time and allow them to provide more individualised attention to students.
These are just a few examples of Al tools with applications in the classroom. It is important to note that these tools should not replace teachers but rather assist them in their work.
Downsides and Challenges of AI in the Classroom
Some teachers and instructors may see AI as a threat to their jobs, believing it will automate their tasks and make them redundant. But it is important to note that AI is not meant to replace teachers but rather to assist them in their work. AI is a tool and should be developed and used as such.
There are also negatives to consider, one of which is the cost of developing and implementing Al-powered educational tools. This can be a significant barrier for schools and teachers who need more resources to invest in AI technology.
There is also the lack of human interaction and emotional support that students receive when using Al-powered educational tools. While AI can provide personalized learning and instant feedback, it cannot replace the human and emotional support that students need to succeed, and relying too heavily on AI-powered educational tools may impact students negatively.
Privacy concerns are also a limitation of AI in the classroom. AI-powered educational tools may collect and store sensitive personal data, which raises concerns about privacy and security.
The Role of EdTech Companies
Edtech companies play a crucial role in advancing the use of AI in the classroom and ensuring that it is used ethically and responsibly. To do so, they should consider the following:
1. Cost: The cost of developing and implementing Al-powered educational tools can be a significant barrier for schools and teachers. Edtech companies should work to make AI technology accessible to a broader range of schools and teachers and explore alternative funding options, such as grants or partnerships, to help offset the costs.
2. Human interaction: Al-powered educational tools cannot replace the human and emotional support that students need to succeed. Edtech companies should aim to develop Al tools that augment, rather than replace, the role of teachers and provide students with a well-rounded education that includes both personalized learning and human interaction.
3. Privacy and security: Privacy concerns are a significant limitation of AI in the classroom. Edtech companies must ensure that the sensitive personal data collected and stored by Al-powered educational tools are properly secured and that privacy is maintained.
4. Improved Al capabilities: Current AI-powered educational tools have limitations, such as a lack of creativity and originality and a limited understanding of context. Edtech companies should aim to improve Al capabilities and overcome these limitations to create more advanced, innovative and effective AI tools for the classroom.
5. Ethical considerations: Edtech companies should consider the ethical implications of Al technology in education and develop AI tools in a transparent, fair and responsible manner. They must also ensure that they develop and use AI tools in accordance with the laws and regulations governing data privacy, security and intellectual property.
In conclusion, AI has the potential to be a valuable addition to the classroom. Still, edtech companies should develop AI tools with caution and in collaboration with teachers, educators and students to ensure that they are helpful, ethical and effective in meeting the needs of learners. I believe that AI could revolutionise the way we teach and learn.
[This passage/content is taken from the National Curriculum and Textbook Board (NCTB), Bangladesh English textbook for educational purposes only.]
© NCTB Bangladesh. All rights reserved to the original publisher.
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Bangla Meanings of Important Words and Phrases:
| ইংরেজি শব্দ/বাক্যাংশ | বাংলা অর্থ |
|---|---|
| Artificial Intelligence (AI) | কৃত্রিম বুদ্ধিমত্তা |
| Revolutionise | আমূল পরিবর্তন আনা / বিপ্লব ঘটানো |
| Personalised learning | ব্যক্তিগতকৃত শিক্ষা |
| Automate repetitive tasks | পুনরাবৃত্ত কাজ স্বয়ংক্রিয় করা |
| Provide instant feedback | তাৎক্ষণিক প্রতিক্রিয়া প্রদান |
| Tailored support | শিক্ষার্থীর উপযোগী সহায়তা |
| Improve grades | ফলাফল উন্নত করা |
| Identify and correct mistakes | ভুল শনাক্ত ও সংশোধন করা |
| Grade assignments and quizzes | অ্যাসাইনমেন্ট ও কুইজ মূল্যায়ন করা |
| One-on-one attention | একক মনোযোগ / ব্যক্তি ভিত্তিক যত্ন |
| AI-powered learning assistant | কৃত্রিম বুদ্ধিমত্তাসম্পন্ন শিক্ষাসহায়ক |
| Learning habits | শেখার অভ্যাস |
| Adaptive learning platform | অভিযোজিত শেখার প্ল্যাটফর্ম |
| Step-by-step tutoring | ধাপে ধাপে পড়ানোর ব্যবস্থা |
| Individualised learning paths | ব্যক্তিগত শেখার পথনির্দেশ |
| Constructive feedback | গঠনমূলক প্রতিক্রিয়া |
| Automates the grading process | মূল্যায়ন প্রক্রিয়া স্বয়ংক্রিয় করে |
| Free up teachers’ time | শিক্ষকদের সময় মুক্ত করা |
| Threat to jobs | চাকরির জন্য হুমকি |
| Redundant | অপ্রয়োজনীয় / ছাঁটাইযোগ্য |
| Emotional support | মানসিক সহায়তা |
| Human interaction | মানবিক যোগাযোগ |
| Privacy concerns | গোপনীয়তা সংক্রান্ত উদ্বেগ |
| Sensitive personal data | সংবেদনশীল ব্যক্তিগত তথ্য |
| Security | নিরাপত্তা |
| Cost of implementation | বাস্তবায়নের খরচ |
| Lack of creativity | সৃজনশীলতার অভাব |
| Limited understanding of context | প্রেক্ষাপট বোঝার সীমাবদ্ধতা |
| Ethical considerations | নৈতিক বিবেচনা |
| Transparent manner | স্বচ্ছ পদ্ধতিতে |
| Fair and responsible | ন্যায়সঙ্গত ও দায়িত্বশীল |
| Data privacy | তথ্য গোপনীয়তা |
| Intellectual property | বৌদ্ধিক সম্পত্তি |
| In accordance with laws | আইনের সাথে সঙ্গতিপূর্ণ |
| Broader range of schools | অধিক সংখ্যক স্কুল |
| Alternative funding options | বিকল্প অর্থায়নের ব্যবস্থা |
| Well-rounded education | সামগ্রিক শিক্ষা |
| Augment teacher’s role | শিক্ষকের ভূমিকা বাড়ানো বা সহযোগিতা করা |
| Collaboration | পারস্পরিক সহযোগিতা |
| Effective learning | কার্যকর শিক্ষা |
| Tools should not replace teachers | সরঞ্জাম কখনোই শিক্ষকের বিকল্প নয় |
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Para-wise Explanation in Bangla:
প্রথম অনুচ্ছেদ:
এই অংশে বলা হয়েছে, কৃত্রিম বুদ্ধিমত্তা শিক্ষার পদ্ধতিতে বিপ্লব ঘটাতে পারে। AI ব্যবহার করে শিক্ষার্থীরা ব্যক্তিগতভাবে শেখার সুবিধা পেতে পারে, শিক্ষকরা সহজেই ঘনঘন কাজ স্বয়ংক্রিয় করতে পারেন এবং তাৎক্ষণিক ফিডব্যাক দিতে পারেন। তবে এর সীমাবদ্ধতাও রয়েছে।
দ্বিতীয় অনুচ্ছেদ (Advantages):
AI-এর প্রধান সুবিধাগুলোর মধ্যে রয়েছে:
- ব্যক্তিগতকৃত শিক্ষা: শিক্ষার্থীর পারফরম্যান্স অনুযায়ী AI সহযোগী সাপোর্ট দেয়।
- তাৎক্ষণিক প্রতিক্রিয়া: শিক্ষার্থীরা তাৎক্ষণিক ভুল বুঝতে পারে ও সংশোধন করতে পারে।
- স্বয়ংক্রিয় মূল্যায়ন: শিক্ষকরা সময় বাঁচিয়ে অন্যান্য কাজে মনোযোগ দিতে পারেন।
এখানে কিছু জনপ্রিয় AI টুলের নাম দেওয়া হয়েছে যেমন: Ahura, Knewton, Querium, ALEKS, Gradescope ইত্যাদি।
তৃতীয় অনুচ্ছেদ (Challenges):
AI নিয়ে কিছু ভয় বা চ্যালেঞ্জ আছে:
- শিক্ষকদের চাকরি হারানোর আশঙ্কা
- উচ্চ খরচ
- মানবিক যোগাযোগের অভাব
- গোপনীয়তা ও তথ্যের নিরাপত্তা সমস্যা
চতুর্থ অনুচ্ছেদ (EdTech Companies-এর ভূমিকা):
EdTech কোম্পানিগুলোর দায়িত্ব:
- প্রযুক্তি যেন সবার জন্য সহজলভ্য হয়
- শিক্ষকের মানবিক ভূমিকা অক্ষুণ্ন রাখে
- ডেটা সুরক্ষা নিশ্চিত করা
- উন্নত AI তৈরিতে কাজ করা
- নৈতিকতার মানদণ্ড বজায় রাখা
উপসংহার:
AI শিক্ষা ক্ষেত্রে একটি যুগান্তকারী প্রযুক্তি হতে পারে, যদি এটি সঠিকভাবে, নৈতিকভাবে ও শিক্ষকদের সহায়তায় প্রয়োগ করা হয়।
Write true or false beside the following statements.
1. AI is always beneficial for students and teachers.
2. Al tools can provide personalised learning experiences for students.
3. The cost of implementing AI-based educational tools is not high.
4. Current Al-powered educational tools are full of creativity and originality.
5. Al-powered educational tools can replace the human and emotional support.
6. AI-powered educational tools can provide students with immediate feedback on their work.
Write answers to the following questions
1. What sort of repetitive tasks can be done by AI?
2. What advantages do you get in using AI-based educational tools?
3. What disadvantages are there of using AI-based educational tools?
4. Name some of the AI tools that various ed-tech companies have created and their functions?
5. “AI can make a student lazy and not study at all.” -Do you agree with this statement? Justify your stance and explain this statement.
