Part 1
By: Rasha Halat and Lina Khair Rahme
June 29, 2024
Do you remember the tale of Margie and Tommy from Isaac Asimov’s “The Fun They Had”? In this intriguing short story, children in the future are taught individually by robotic teachers, an idea that, in Asimov’s time, was pure science fiction. Yet, as we stand today at the cusp of the AI revolution in education, that fictional account seems less like a distant fantasy and more like a near-future reality. But as we integrate artificial intelligence into our classrooms, a pressing question emerges: Can AI genuinely level the educational playing field for all students, or might it further tilt the scales of inequity?
While Asimov’s story highlights the emotional effects of a mechanized educational system, our real-world problem is rooted in the academic potential and pitfalls of AI. How can we ensure that as AI becomes an integral part of education, it serves as an instrument of empowerment rather than that of further marginalization for those who are already suffering the effects of inequity?
The AI Promise: Tailored Education for All
Learners’ individual needs often get lost in the vastness of standardized curricula and one-size-fits-all approaches that dominate the wide landscape of education. However, the digital revolution in general and the AI disruption in particular brings with it a shimmering promise: a promise where AI reshapes education, making it more personalized, inclusive, and attuned to each learner’s unique journey. As we explore the possibilities out there, we can discover a myriad of ways in which AI holds the potential to transform and elevate the learning experience for students worldwide.
Adaptive Learning Platforms: The Dynamic Curriculum
In traditional classroom settings, the curriculum is a fixed entity, often leaving behind students who struggle in certain areas while not challenging those who excel. With the advent of AI-driven adaptive learning platforms, this no longer needs to be the case. According to Joshi, “the implementation of AI-powered platforms has shown promising results in increasing engagement and improving learning outcomes” (2023, p. 3). Adaptive learning platforms can assess a student’s strengths and weaknesses in real-time, adjusting lesson plans and resources accordingly. So, whether it’s Omar struggling with algebra or Sara racing ahead in literature, the adaptive AI platforms ensure that their learning journeys are tailored specifically for them. Ensuring that these platforms are universally accessible can significantly contribute to minimizing educational disparities.
Virtual Tutors: Beyond the Classroom
While in-person tutoring has its merits, it is not always accessible or affordable for everyone. Virtual tutors, powered by advanced AI, can fill this gap. Khan Academy has released a powerful AI tutor, Khanmigo, offered at a low monthly cost. If prompted appropriately and deliberately, Generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT 4 can give every student a personalized tutoring experience on any topic (see prompt provided as an example) (Mollick & Mollick, 2023). AI tutors can answer questions, clarify misconceptions, and even challenge learners with thought-provoking queries. With 24/7 availability, these platforms ensure that a student’s quest for knowledge is not bound by time or place. Moreover, for learners who might feel shy or apprehensive about asking questions in a group setting, these AI tutors offer a nonjudgmental and patient environment to explore and learn in. The democratization of tutoring through AI can play a crucial role in making quality education and support more accessible to all students.
With 24/7 availability, these platforms ensure that a student’s quest for knowledge is not bound by time or place.
Bridging the Language Gap
For countless students worldwide, studying in a second language makes their academic journey doubly challenging. They not only grapple with their subjects but also with instruction via a non-native language. This applies not only to migrants in foreign lands but also to many students in their home countries who pursue education in a globally dominant language such as English, often at the expense of their mother tongue.
AI tools can offer profound support for these students. Modern AI-driven platforms come equipped with sophisticated language translation and comprehension tools, such as Lokalise AI, Reverso, Google translate, Chat GPT, Gemini and more. Using these sophisticated translation tools presents an opportunity to support students with varying levels of language proficiency, without compromising their learning journey. For instance, a student in Saudi Arabia grappling with physics concepts in English, or a learner in Lebanon studying French literature, can use AI to gain initial understanding and support. In this case, the AI Translation tools are best utilized as a supplementary aid, designed to bridge initial comprehension gaps while encouraging students to engage deeply with the language of instruction. AI ensures that the language becomes an enabler, not a barrier.
Furthermore, these tools can offer real-time translations, quizzes, and feedback, ensuring that second language learners are not just passively absorbing content but actively engaging with it, bridging comprehension gaps, and building linguistic confidence. This technological inclusivity is vital in ensuring that language barriers do not impede a student’s ability to access and benefit from educational opportunities.
Supporting Students with Disabilities
Traditionally, students with disabilities often found themselves at a disadvantage in the classroom, struggling with tools and resources not designed with their needs in mind. AI is changing this narrative. Here are some examples of how AI tools can assist students with disabilities (Brewer et al., 2020):
- Providing accessibility to testing through embedding of tools such as Microsoft Read Aloud Speech or Accessibility Check.
- Offering content descriptions through tools like Be My AI.
- Facilitating webpage interactions through tools such as Apple Siri, Amazon Rufus , and Alexa.
- Enhancing support for students with speech impediments using speech recognition tools.
- Assisting visually impaired students with text-to-speech platforms.
AI is ensuring that every learner, regardless of their challenges, has a seat at the table and access to the resources they deserve. The inclusion of AI technologies in educational strategies for students with disabilities not only levels the playing field but also opens new avenues for their active participation and engagement in learning.
Conclusion
As we explore the myriad of ways AI can enhance and personalize the educational experience, it’s clear that the potential for positive transformation is immense. However, as we transition to the second part of our discussion, we must also turn our attention to the challenges and ethical considerations that accompany the integration of AI into education.
Read the second part of this article for the challenges posed and how to counteract them.
References
Brewer J., Gerard C., and Hakkinen M. (2022, June 3). 3 Ways AI Can Help Students with Disabilities. EDUCAUSE Review. Retrieved from https://er.educause.edu/articles/2022/6/3-ways-ai-can-help-students-with-disabilities
Joshi, M.A. (Feb. 2024). Adaptive Learning through Artificial Intelligence. International Journal on Integrated Education. 7, 2, 41-43. Retrieved from https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=4514887
McDermott, Brenda. (2024). AI as an Accessibility Tool: Using Generative AI to Support Universal Design for Learning Approach. DOI 10.4018/979-8-3693-0240-8.ch009. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/378202962_AI_as_an_Accessibility_Tool_Using_Generative_AI_to_Support_Universal_Design_for_Learning_Approach
Mollick, E. & Mollick, L. (2023, September 25). AI as Personal Tutor. Harvard Business Publishing Education. Retrieved from https://hbsp.harvard.edu/inspiring-minds/ai-as-personal-tutor