A.I my new Personal Tutor!
Who would have imagined AI gracing the cover of Time Magazine? It seems just yesterday that the 'Internet' was revolutionising our world, and now AI is poised to seamlessly integrate
into our daily lives. And why not? Generative AI offers information on a vast range of topics, responds to natural language, and generates creative, personalized responses. Since its debut, especially with
ChatGPT, individuals and businesses have eagerly harnessed its potential.
It's safe to say our world is becoming increasingly technologically advanced. So, the billion-dollar question is: shouldn’t our schools reflect that? I remember the initial shock and apprehension among teachers when this technology was introduced into their professional development. As Michael B. Horn noted, “Educators were concerned about AI’s impact on student learning and their own professional responsibilities, wondering if it would replace their crucial human touch.”
There’s no doubt AI will transform education at an exponential rate in the coming years. The burden of this transformative leap will lie on educational institutions and teachers. They must rethink and reevaluate not only the syllabus but also how they will engage and assess student learning.
Consider Benjamin Bloom's study on the 2 Sigma Problem, published in 1984. It shows that students receiving one-on-one tutoring perform two standard deviations (sigmas) better than those in traditional classroom settings. In simple terms, if we can find a way for each student to have a personalised tutor, we could help a mediocre student transform into a meritorious one.
The aim of education is to develop students who can think critically and solve problems at a minimum. But now, with AI doing the thinking, teachers worry about their students' development. Yet, by introducing AI as a personalized tutor, not as a forbidden fruit, we can assist our students in achieving higher levels. Students have long asked, "Where will we apply this in real life?" It’s time we find the answer. Ask yourself, what is more important for a student to learn: writing a 500-word essay or dissecting and approaching a topic from various viewpoints?
This is where AI, like Khanmigo, comes in. It can help students identify misconceptions, reason through observations, prompt them to think in new directions, and provide necessary guidance to solve problems—all at a convenient time and agreeable pace.
Imagine a school where students can frame their own questions and check them with AI, speak to their favorite literary characters, or gamify content to compete with friends. The possibilities are limited only by imagination. The AI we use today is the most basic it will ever be, yet it has already found its way into research, medicine, banking, social media, and more. It's our responsibility to teach our students how to use AI safely and productively. Let’s view this not as a problem but as an opportunity to finally provide quality and equitable education to all!
Medha A. Parashar
CMS Gomti Nagar Extension
What's Your Reaction?
