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How Artificial Intelligence Is Already Transforming Education

By Matthew Lynch — March 14, 2018 2 min read
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The invention of artificial intelligence has been hotly debated over the years. Some view this tool as the first step toward a world where human professions are no longer necessary. Others see artificial intelligence as a cost-effective means of being more productive during the day. The truth may fall somewhere in between these extremes, particularly when it comes to education.

Artificial intelligence has already transformed the face of learning in a major way. It’s continuously opening new doors that lead to increased productivity, more successful students, and a lower cost for the public-school system. This transformation may still be in its early stages, but here are a few of the top ways that it’s already making a huge impact.

Teachers can take a break from menial tasks.

How much time can grading consume on any given day? The fact is that teachers spend a large percentage of their off-hours attempting to keep up with the piles of student papers. Grades have to be submitted in order to determine how students are keeping up with the coursework. Generating new lessons and materials often falls by the wayside during the struggle to stay on top of this never-ending chore.

Artificial intelligence can take over some of these grading tasks and simplify the process. Even essays may soon be graded using artificial intelligence. This can save valuable time and give educators the space they need to create better lessons for their classroom.

AI can help set more realistic student goals.

One of the major assets of artificial intelligence is the ability to personalize a student’s academic needs. Every child will learn at a different pace and in a different way. Artificial intelligence can easily encompass all of these learning styles and provide a customized plan for each student. Along with this plan, the programs can help to craft more specific and realistic goals for students.

With a clear framework in place, teachers set the stage to keep multiple student levels in one classroom. It cuts back on the amount of attention each student needs and allows teachers to offer support to students who truly still require assistance.

Gaps in the curriculum are clearly identified.

Most teachers have a difficult time uncovering which areas of their lessons aren’t comprehensive enough. Oftentimes, students walk away from the lessons with many asking the exact same questions again and again. It’s clear that some aspects of a given course may need to change to accommodate student learning. AI could help educators to spot these gaps more clearly.

Whether a teacher chooses to use artificial intelligence to assign performance assessments or to allow students to ask questions, the resulting data will make these gaps relatively clear. This allows teachers to make notes regarding areas they should reteach in class or how to modify the lesson in the coming years.

Artificial intelligence is already making waves in today’s modern classroom setting. Teachers and students benefit from the improved classroom experience that AI offers. Keep your eyes out for some of the minor ways that it’s influencing your classroom in the years ahead.

The opinions expressed in Education Futures: Emerging Trends in K-12 are strictly those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions or endorsement of Editorial Projects in Education, or any of its publications.