AI to have massive impact in schools, say experts. Here are the pros and cons

Kids need to be taught how to use AI responsibly, experts say

⭐️HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW⭐️

• Artificial intelligence tools have exploded in popularity over the last two years.
• Experts say they will soon change the makeup of classrooms forever.
• They say it will be like having your own personal tutor at all times.
• However, they say kids need to be taught now how to use AI tools responsibly. 
• Find out what responsible AI use looks like below. ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️

Will artificial intelligence take over the world?

No one can say for sure, but experts say AI’s takeover of the classroom might soon be inevitable. 

Since the rise of ChatGPT in 2022, many have marvelled at the power and uses of AI, while others have raised legitimate concerns over AI replacing jobs, producing flawed information, and — you guessed it – being used by students to cheat. 

But does this mean that there isn’t a seat for AI in the classroom? Or that we should learn to embrace it?

Experts say that, although schools are likely to push back as they fight to regulate AI use, its use is inevitable and schools should start teaching kids how to use it responsibly. 

A ‘massive shift' is coming

Chris Kennedy is the superintendent of schools for the West Vancouver school district in British Columbia.

Part of his job right now is to figure out how AI can be best used in the classroom.  

Despite some initial pushback, he says many more schools seem open to the idea of using AI in the last year or so as the technology has become mainstream. 

Whether or not schools are ready for it, he thinks AI will soon cause a ‘massive shift’ in the ways teachers teach and students learn. 

“It could soon, among other things, take a lot of the workload off of teachers, allowing them to devote much more one-on-one time to students and facilitate deeper learning.” 

For example, Kennedy said that a teacher could turn to AI to modify a piece of text into different reading levels to accommodate different learners in their class. 

Currently, they would do that tedious work themselves. 

Rahul Kumar, an assistant professor in educational studies at Brock University in St. Catharine’s, Ontario, also believes it’s just a matter of time before we understand AI’s ‘massive effect’ on classrooms. 

“AI is soon going to be embedded into everything we do, so students need to be taught now how to use it appropriately and effectively,” he said. 

• Your answers: How do you feel about the future of Artificial Intelligence?

Indeed, AI tools are already being implemented at the post-secondary level. 

This year, more than 100 Canadian universities and colleges will be using AI tools developed by companies such as Pearson Education that, among other things, give immediate and personalized feedback to students when they’ve made errors in their work. 

AI could be a ‘personal tutor’  

There are countless ways that students can use AI to help them learn. 

Both Kennedy and Kumar say one of the biggest benefits of AI for students is essentially having a teacher when your teacher isn’t available. 

“If a student gets stuck on a math problem at home, they can ask AI to explain the process of solving it rather than needing a teacher to show them how,” said Kumar. 

As well, Kumar says that AI can create a “personalized journey” for each student when explaining concepts. 

“AI can explain something to a student all while knowing their strengths and weaknesses, allowing them to cater specific analogies to that student,” he said. 

Concerns and using AI responsibly 

There are legitimate concerns that Kumar says will likely slow down the adoption of AI in the classroom. 

One of the biggest is that students will use AI to do their work for them rather than actually learning the material.

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But Kumar says that issue can be addressed if teachers encourage students to use AI and show exactly how that AI was used to help them. 

“Don’t be afraid to explain how you used AI to your teacher. Your teacher may even reward you for being transparent and showing your work,” he said. 

A second concern is that AI isn’t always accurate and could misguide students. 

For that reason, Kumar says it’s always important to try and fact-check the information that comes from AI before turning it in. 

“When in doubt, ask your teacher or parent. They can act as proxies to help you evaluate if the information provided is accurate or not,” he said. 

A big concern is that AI could replace teachers entirely and put them out of work.

Even though there’s no telling what the future holds, Kumar doesn’t think that’s likely. 

“Teachers are still responsible for making human connections, which AI can not make as easily. Their role is to care, practice empathy and show students how to use AI responsibly.” 

How are you already using AI for school?

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