Up until now, much of the discussion surrounding the use of generative AI in education has centered on catching AI used in cheating.  Some educators have seen generative AI as an awkward reality that makes writing assignments difficult to regulate.  With ChatGPT 4.0, students can pass off AI writing as their own original work thus circumventing the point of the assignment.  AI is seen as the ultimate slacker tool, making it irresistibly easy for lazy students to complete writing assignments at the press of a button.  

Educators Strike Back?

How are teachers supposed to respond to this?  I think there are two possible responses to this.  One is the first, very understandable response, which is to attempt to catch the “AI cheater” in the act.  This reaction makes sense at the moment since educational organizations have not yet had time to understand and respond to the technology.  To help on that front, we have created a thorough review of how educators might catch the students who decide to become AI cheaters in the article at this link (click here for the review). 

If You Can’t Beat’em…

However, in this article, we will look at what I believe is the second possible response educators can have to this technology: rather than trying to constantly stay ahead of this ever-evolving technology in order to try and “catch the cheater,” can we rather ask if there is a way of using generative AI as an educational asset?  Could we possibly view machine learning and Natural Language Processing as a natural next step in the advancement of technology, much like math teachers eventually accepted the use of calculators in math class? 

These Tools Will Change Everything

In this article, we will explore how this new technology may be best used, rather than abused or vilified, in the educational process. It is my hope that by the end of this article, educators will realize that generative AI is not just about cheating anymore but about educational opportunity.  AI experts have admitted that generative AI can make lazy students lazier, but it is also said to make good students better.  With a good understanding of technology, we may be able to have the best of both worlds by providing another avenue for research, creativity, and learning. 

Table of Contents

Emerging AI in Education

AI technology has already started to make its way into our classrooms. From machine learning algorithms to natural language processing, these AI tools have just begun to change some of the ways educators approach teaching.  For example, some teachers are finding that AI can provide personalized assignments for students and automate administrative tasks.

Personalized Assignments: AI can generate unique and personalized content that caters to each student’s individual needs, making learning more engaging and effective. AI can also help identify patterns in students’ learning habits, enabling teachers to intervene earlier when students might be struggling.

Administrative Tasks: Due to administrative inefficiencies within the educational system, tasks such as grading, data analysis, and scheduling can be simplified and automated, saving valuable time and resources for educational institutions. 

This is just the beginning, however.  Below is a video by best-selling author Bernard Marr, in which he talks a little more in detail about how AI can be used in education. 

AI Tools for Teachers

The integration of AI tools in the educational sphere is changing the way teachers approach their daily tasks and lesson plans. Here are some great tools teachers can use starting using this technology to enhance and personalize the educational experience for their students:

Lesson Planning

Copilot, ChatGPT, and ClassPoint. These platforms can quickly and automatically create engaging and creative content. Copilot can create structured lesson plans that are visually impressive and can be personalized for your teaching style and the needs of your students. ChatGPT can generate lesson plans and provide extra-needed supplemental information based on your prompts.  ClassPoint creates quiz questions on virtually any topic based on your slides. 

Differentiated Learning

Dreambox, SmartSparrow, and Knewton are all useful for designing for students’ specific strengths and weaknesses.  Dreambox is good for math and reading; SmartSparrow is good for general differentiated learning; and Knewton is good for general STEM subjects. These can help with things like attendance records, test and quiz scores, and general organization overall.  Students benefit from this as it aids in developing self-directed learning and mastery-based progression. There is also a tool known as Exact Path that can test students with adaptive testing, evaluate their weaknesses, and then output a plan to address those weaknesses. 

Auto-Grading with AI

Gradescope is a great tool for teachers who need to free up a lot of time that is otherwise spent grading assignments.  One potential advantage of this is eliminating the potential bias or appearance of bias of the grader.  You can set your own criteria, grade, and review prior to releasing the grades. 

Test and Quiz Creation

Tools such as ExamSoft and ClassPoint AI, you can prepare tests and quizzes based on the past performance of the class. With ExamSoft can also create targeted practice exams in the areas where the students need the most help. ClassPoint can auto-generate questions based on the information in your lesson. 

Administration Automation

Zapier is a tool that can automate various administrative functions, such as collecting and moving data, sending out emails, etc. This is possible because Zapier can connect to a host of common programs used in everyday administrative tasks and automate those tasks. 

Student Feedback

Turnitin suit analyzes a student’s performance and provides objective and accurate feedback on performance and suggestions on areas where there is room for improvement. 

AI-Live Captioning

AI-Live provides live, closed captioning and a final transcript.  So does Wordly, but it also translates into other languages, making multilingual classes easier to manage. 

Teachers and ChatGPT

You can use ChatGPT to create educational content and support collaboration among teachers and students, as it provides helpful information and suggestions based on user input. This powerful tool makes it easier for teachers to create lesson plans and educational materials, collaborating with students on projects and assignments.

See the video below from ClassPoint if you want to see a quick visual rundown of each of these. 

Using AI to Personalize Learning

As outlined above, there are AI tools that can really help educators create customized learning paths for students. For example, AI-driven tools are capable of analyzing students’ performance and their learning trends, allowing the AI to tailor educational content to each individual’s needs and learning goals1.

Personalized Education: Personalization can be very important because it makes it possible to meet a wide range of student’s needs, from those who excel in certain areas to those who require additional support. With the use of AI, educators can efficiently create content that is adapted to each student’s interests, strengths, and weaknesses. For instance, AI-driven platforms like Carnegie Learning offer personalized learning paths and real-time feedback to students, optimizing the learning process.  AI-powered tools can assist teachers in identifying learning gaps, enabling them to customize learning plans and support students more effectively. Some have found that this approach allows students to progress at their own pace while learning in a more engaging and relevant way2.

Track Performance: AI can also be used to track student performance and provide ongoing feedback. Educators can utilize this data to make informed decisions on lesson planning and instructional strategies, and even to identify areas where student engagement may be lacking3.

Improved Outcomes: By using these tools in combination with traditional teaching methods, students can receive a more targeted and dynamic educational experience, ultimately leading to improved outcomes and a deeper understanding of the material4.

The below video is an example of a personalized platform for school-aged kids called AI Learning Helper.  It is impressively interactive and effective!

ChatGPT for Classroom Efficiency with AI

ChatGPT has been transforming the way teachers prepare for the classroom. By automating various tasks, it allows educators to focus more on their students. One of the ways AI improves classroom efficiency is in the area of time management.

AI can act as a teaching assistant, creating projects and questions for students and providing resources for them to explore. This ensures that teachers can give more focused and thorough instruction, enhancing the overall classroom experience and boosting productivity for both teachers and students.

Below is a great video by an English teacher named Ted Pickett where he breaks down some of the revolutionary ways ChatGPT can be used to offload a lot of work so that you can spend time on what is most inspiring about actually being a teacher, which is actually teaching!

AI in Assessment and Grading / Monitoring Student Progress

As noted above, tools like Gradescope can help teachers benefit from automated grading systems that adapt and improve over time through machine learning algorithms. These systems can assess written assignments, multiple-choice tests, and other types of assessments, providing instant feedback to students and effectively tracking their performance.

Instant Feedback One of the most significant advantages of using AI in assessment and grading is the possibility of leveraging instant feedback. This helps both teachers and students quickly identify areas that need improvement. AI can do this because it can quickly analyze vast amounts of student data and provide personalized recommendations.

Below is a video by Dr. Dan Kreiness who outlines another tool called Conker to both create and grade customizable quizzes based on your content. 

Maximizing Collaborative Learning

One way to utilize AI in education is by leveraging its capabilities to promote collaborative learning among students. They can participate in intelligent discussions, contribute to group projects, and share resources with their peers in real-time. 

AI can help students collaborate by:

  • Assisting in group assignments: AI-powered tools can facilitate group tasks by creating shared workspaces, streamlining document sharing, and offering helpful insights for completing the assignment.
  • Facilitating online discussions: Through AI-driven platforms, teachers can create forums for students to discuss course materials, ask questions, and provide feedback. AI can also analyze these interactions to determine areas where students might need additional support.
  • Providing real-time feedback: Students can benefit from instant feedback provided by AI systems on their performance in collaborative activities, helping them identify areas where they need to improve.

It may be a good idea to click on the video below to get a picture of what your students have at their fingertips when they search Google, youtube, or any AI tool.  There are things like WolframAlpha for math, Quillbot, and Brainly for specialized topics, and much more.  

Enhancing Skills with AI

Another way AI supports learning is through the use of tools that help understanding, research, and writing.

Here are even more tools that can help both students and teachers, such as the ones below:

  • Get varying degrees of simplified explanations for complex questions at explainlikeimfive
  • Generate whole quizzes from an uploaded document or a simple URL at yippity.io
  • Generate research from subject materials by uploading URLs to genei.io/
  • Summarize existing articles with scholarcy.com
  • If you have a scientific research question and you want to find papers, use scite.ai or semanticscholar.org
  • To check writing for grammar and plagiarism, use www.trinka.ai

For a brief rundown of all these tools and more, see the video below!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some popular AI platforms for education?

There are several AI platforms available for education. Some notable ones include Khan Academy’s AI for Education, and tools such as Edutopia’s AI-powered platforms which help teachers curate educational resources.

How can AI enhance learning outcomes for students?

AI can enhance learning outcomes by personalizing the learning experience. By adapting to each student’s individual needs and learning patterns, AI-driven tools can provide targeted support and resources. This personalized approach can help students achieve better understanding and improved retention.

Which AI tools are helpful for teachers in creating lesson plans?

Generative AI tools can aid teachers in creating lesson plans by generating educational content based on provided keywords or prompts. These AI-powered platforms can create a range of resources, including lessons, activities, assessments, discussion prompts, and presentations. This can save time and effort, allowing teachers to focus on other aspects of teaching.

What are effective ways to utilize AI in teaching English?

AI can help teach English by providing personalized learning experiences and resources for students. For instance, AI-powered chatbots can simulate conversations with students, helping them improve their oral and written language skills. Additionally, AI-driven grammar and spell check tools can offer real-time corrections and feedback to students while they practice their writing.

How does AI support personalized learning?

AI supports personalized learning by analyzing each student’s individual needs and patterns. By using data-driven insights, AI can adapt and create customized learning experiences that cater to a student’s unique strengths and weaknesses. This tailored approach can result in more effective learning, better retention, and overall improved outcomes.

What does the future hold for AI and education?

The future of AI in education is promising. As AI technology continues to advance, it will likely become even more integrated into educational systems, making learning more personalized, efficient, and engaging. The potential of AI to revolutionize education is immense, and its impact will likely be felt across all subjects, grade levels, and geographies in the coming years.

 

Footnotes

Footnotes

  1. AI Tools for Teachers | Edutopia
  2. AI For Personalized Education – eLearning Industry
  3. AI Tools in Teaching and Learning | Teaching Commons
  4. How AI Can Enhance Personalized Learning in Education – LinkedIn

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