Artificial intelligence has the potential to revolutionise the way we learn and teach. As a tool in the classroom, AI can provide students with personalised learning experiences, automate repetitive tasks and provide instant feedback. However, it also has its limitations. Let us explore the pros and cons of AI as a tool in the classroom, address the concern that AI could be a threat to teachers’ and instructors’ jobs and discuss the role of edtech companies in advancing this AI use case. Advantages of AI in the Classroom One of the main advantages I see of AI in the classroom is personalised learning. Al-powered educational tools can analyse data on student performance and provide tailored support to improve their grades. AI can also provide instant feedback. For example, AI-powered educational tools can provide students with immediate feedback on their work, allowing them to identify and correct mistakes quickly. Another advantage of AI is its ability to automate repetitive tasks. It can grade assignments and quizzes, which can free up teachers’ time for other tasks, such as lesson planning and providing more one-on-one attention to students.
There are already a few AI tools that support learning in classroom or workplace contexts. For example, Ahura is an Al-powered learning assisant that tracks learning habits by observing attention and engagement. Knewton offers an adaptive learning platform that provides personalized learning experiences for English For Today students. Querium is an Al-powered tutor that provides students with step-by-step tutoring on math problems and builds personalized lesson plans. ALEKS is an Al-powered learning platform that provides individualized learning paths based on students’ strengths and weaknesses. Carnegie Learning offers an AI-powered tutor that helps students improve their math skills by providing personalised learning based on their performance. There’s also Smart Sparrow, which allows users to provide constructive feedback that is unique to each student. Finally, Gradescope is an Al-powered grading tool that automates the grading process, which can free up teachers’ time and alle students.
These are just a few examples of Al tools with applications in the classroom. It is important to note that these tools should not replace teachers but rather assist them in their work.
Downsides and Challenges of AI in the Classroom
Some teachers and instructors may see AI as a threat to their jobs, believing it will automate their tasks and make them redundant. But it is important to note that AI is not meant to replace teachers but rather to assist them in their work. Al is a tool and should be developed and used as such. There are also negatives to consider, one of which is the cost of developing and implementing Al-powered educational tools. This can be a significant barrier for schools and teachers who need more resources to invest in AI technology. There is also the lack of human interaction and emotional support that students receive when using Al-powered educational tools. While AI can provide personalized learning and instant feedback, it cannot replace the human and emotional support that students need to succeed, and relying too heavily on Al-powered educational tools may impact students negatively.
Privacy concerns are also a limitation of AI in the classroom. AI-powered educational tools may collect and store sensitive personal data, which raises concerns about privacy and security.
The Role of EdTech Companies
Edtech companies play a crucial role in advancing the use of AI in the classroom and ensuring that it is used ethically and responsibly. To do so, they should consider the following:
1. Cost: The cost of developing and implementing AI-powered educational tools can be a significant barrier for schools and teachers. Edtech companies should work to make Al AI technology accessible to a broader range of schools and teachers and explore alternative funding options, such as grants or partnerships, to help offset the costs.
2. Human interaction: Al-powered educational tools cannot replace the human and emotional support that students need to succeed. Edtech companies should aim to develop AI tools that augment, rather than replace, the role of teachers and provide students with a well-rounded education that includes both personalized learning and human interaction.
3. Privacy and security: Privacy concerns are a significant limitation of AI in the classroom. Edtech companies must ensure that the sensitive personal data collected and stored by Al-powered educational tools are properly secured and that privacy is maintained.
4. Improved Al capabilities: Current AI-powered educational tools have limitations, such as a lack of creativity and originality and a limited understanding of context. Edtech companies should aim to improve Al capabilities and overcome these limitations to create more advanced, innovative and effective AI tools for the classroom.
5. Ethical considerations: Edtech companies should consider the ethical implications of Al technology in education and develop AI tools in a transparent, fair and responsible manner. They must also ensure that they develop and use AI tools in accordance with the laws and regulations governing data privacy, security and intellectual property.
In conclusion, Al has the potential to be a valuable addition to the classroom. Still, edtech companies should develop AI tools with caution and in collaboration with teachers, educators and students to ensure that they are helpful, ethical and effective in meeting the needs of learners. I believe that AI could revolutionise the way we teach and learn.
Bangla Translation: কৃত্রিম বুদ্ধিমত্তা (AI) শিক্ষাদানের এবং শেখার পদ্ধতিতে বিপ্লব আনতে সক্ষম। শ্রেণীকক্ষে একটি টুল হিসেবে AI শিক্ষার্থীদের জন্য ব্যক্তিগত শিক্ষার অভিজ্ঞতা প্রদান করতে পারে, পুনরাবৃত্তিমূলক কাজগুলি স্বয়ংক্রিয় করতে পারে এবং তাৎক্ষণিক প্রতিক্রিয়া দিতে পারে। তবে, এর কিছু সীমাবদ্ধতাও রয়েছে। আসুন, AI-এর শ্রেণীকক্ষের টুল হিসেবে সুবিধা এবং অসুবিধাগুলি বিশ্লেষণ করি, AI শিক্ষক ও প্রশিক্ষকদের চাকরির জন্য হুমকি হয়ে উঠতে পারে কি না তা নিয়ে উদ্বেগ আলোচনা করি এবং এই ক্ষেত্রে অগ্রগতি সাধনে এডটেক কোম্পানিগুলোর ভূমিকা নিয়ে কথা বলি।
শ্রেণীকক্ষে AI-এর সুবিধাসমূহ
AI-এর একটি প্রধান সুবিধা হলো ব্যক্তিগত শেখার সুযোগ। AI চালিত শিক্ষা টুলগুলো শিক্ষার্থীদের পারফরম্যান্সের তথ্য বিশ্লেষণ করে এবং তাদের গ্রেড উন্নত করার জন্য উপযুক্ত সহায়তা প্রদান করে। এছাড়া, AI তাৎক্ষণিক প্রতিক্রিয়া দিতে পারে। উদাহরণস্বরূপ, AI চালিত শিক্ষা টুলগুলো শিক্ষার্থীদের কাজের উপর তাত্ক্ষণিক প্রতিক্রিয়া প্রদান করে, যার ফলে তারা দ্রুত ভুলগুলো শনাক্ত ও সংশোধন করতে পারে। AI পুনরাবৃত্তিমূলক কাজগুলোকেও স্বয়ংক্রিয় করতে সক্ষম, যেমন অ্যাসাইনমেন্ট বা কুইজের মূল্যায়ন, যা শিক্ষকদের সময় বাঁচাতে পারে এবং তাদের পাঠ পরিকল্পনা বা শিক্ষার্থীদের সাথে একান্ত মনোযোগ দেওয়ার জন্য বেশি সময় প্রদান করতে পারে।
এরই মধ্যে কিছু AI টুল শেখার ক্ষেত্রে ব্যবহার করা হচ্ছে। উদাহরণস্বরূপ, Ahura হলো একটি AI চালিত লার্নিং অ্যাসিস্ট্যান্ট যা মনোযোগ ও সম্পৃক্ততা পর্যবেক্ষণ করে শেখার অভ্যাস ট্র্যাক করে। Knewton শিক্ষার্থীদের জন্য একটি অ্যাডাপ্টিভ লার্নিং প্ল্যাটফর্ম প্রদান করে। Querium AI-চালিত টিউটর যা গণিত সমস্যাগুলোর ধাপে ধাপে সমাধান এবং ব্যক্তিগত পাঠ পরিকল্পনা তৈরি করে। এছাড়া, ALEKS, Carnegie Learning, এবং Gradescope–এর মতো টুলগুলো শ্রেণীকক্ষের কার্যক্রম সহজতর করে এবং শিক্ষকদের কাজের সহায়ক হয়।
এইসব টুল শিক্ষককে প্রতিস্থাপন করার উদ্দেশ্যে নয়, বরং তাদের কাজ সহজতর করার জন্য তৈরি।
শ্রেণীকক্ষে AI-এর চ্যালেঞ্জসমূহ
কিছু শিক্ষক মনে করেন, AI তাদের কাজ প্রতিস্থাপন করবে এবং তাদের চাকরি হুমকির মুখে ফেলবে। তবে এটি বোঝা গুরুত্বপূর্ণ যে AI শিক্ষকদের কাজ প্রতিস্থাপন নয়, বরং তাদের সহায়তার জন্য একটি টুল। AI-এর আরেকটি চ্যালেঞ্জ হলো এই প্রযুক্তির উন্নয়ন ও বাস্তবায়নের উচ্চ খরচ। এছাড়াও, AI-চালিত টুলগুলোর মাধ্যমে শিক্ষার্থীরা মানবিক এবং আবেগগত সহায়তা থেকে বঞ্চিত হতে পারে, যা তাদের সাফল্যের জন্য অপরিহার্য। AI-এর উপর অতিরিক্ত নির্ভরতা শিক্ষার্থীদের নেতিবাচক প্রভাব ফেলতে পারে।
গোপনীয়তা সম্পর্কিত উদ্বেগও একটি বড় চ্যালেঞ্জ। AI চালিত টুলগুলো প্রায়শই ব্যক্তিগত তথ্য সংগ্রহ করে, যা গোপনীয়তা ও নিরাপত্তার জন্য হুমকি হতে পারে।
এডটেক কোম্পানিগুলোর ভূমিকা
এডটেক কোম্পানিগুলো AI-এর সঠিক ব্যবহার নিশ্চিত করতে গুরুত্বপূর্ণ ভূমিকা পালন করে। তাদের উচিত নিম্নলিখিত বিষয়গুলো বিবেচনা করা:
খরচ: AI প্রযুক্তি আরও বেশি বিদ্যালয় ও শিক্ষকদের কাছে সাশ্রয়ী করতে কাজ করা।
মানবিক মিথস্ক্রিয়া: AI টুলগুলো এমনভাবে তৈরি করা উচিত যা শিক্ষকের ভূমিকা বৃদ্ধি করে, প্রতিস্থাপন নয়।
গোপনীয়তা ও নিরাপত্তা: AI টুলের মাধ্যমে সংগৃহীত ডেটা সুরক্ষিত এবং গোপনীয় রাখা।
উন্নত AI ক্ষমতা: বর্তমান AI টুলগুলোর সীমাবদ্ধতা, যেমন সৃজনশীলতার অভাব, কাটিয়ে আরও কার্যকর টুল তৈরি করা।
নৈতিকতা: AI প্রযুক্তির উন্নয়ন ও ব্যবহার স্বচ্ছ, ন্যায্য এবং দায়িত্বশীল হতে হবে।
সর্বশেষে, AI শ্রেণীকক্ষে একটি মূল্যবান সংযোজন হতে পারে। তবে এটি শিক্ষার্থী, শিক্ষক এবং শিক্ষাবিদদের সঙ্গে একযোগে কাজ করে উন্নত, নৈতিক এবং কার্যকরী শিক্ষা সরঞ্জাম তৈরির মাধ্যমে বাস্তবায়িত হওয়া উচিত। AI শিক্ষাদানের এবং শেখার পদ্ধতিতে বিপ্লব আনতে পারে বলে আমি বিশ্বাস করি।
A. Choose the correct answer from the alternatives:
- How can edtech companies improve accessibility?
By creating high-cost tools
ii. By offering grants or partnerships
iii. By limiting features
iv. By avoiding global markets - What is one advantage of AI in the classroom?
Increased distractions
ii. Personalized learning experiences
iii. Replacing teachers
iv. Lack of interaction - What does AI automate to save teachers’ time?
Classroom decorations
ii. Grading assignments
iii. Writing textbooks
iv. Organizing field trips - What kind of feedback can AI provide?
Slow feedback
ii. Instant feedback
iii. Delayed feedback
iv. No feedback - Which AI tool tracks learning habits?
Querium
ii. Ahura
iii. ALEKS
iv. Knewton - Which AI platform provides step-by-step math tutoring?
Smart Sparrow
ii. Querium
iii. Gradescope
iv. Knewton - What is ALEKS primarily used for?
Creative writing
ii. Individualized learning paths
iii. Virtual tours
iv. Class discussions - What does Gradescope automate?
Lesson planning
ii. Grading
iii. Attendance
iv. Scheduling meetings - Which AI tool focuses on adaptive learning for English students?
Smart Sparrow
ii. Ahura
iii. Knewton
iv. ALEKS - What is a major concern regarding AI in education?
Overqualified teachers
ii. Privacy and security issues
iii. High emotional intelligence
iv. Lack of technological support - Why is human interaction important in education?
To improve AI capabilities
ii. To provide emotional support
iii. To increase the cost of tools
iv. To enhance automation - Which document outlines students’ human rights?
Universal Declaration of Human Rights
ii. AI Ethics Code
iii. Teachers’ Code of Conduct
iv. International AI Standards - How does AI help students correct mistakes?
By highlighting their names
ii. By providing immediate feedback
iii. By assigning tutors
iv. By delaying results - What is the main purpose of AI tools in education?
Replacing teachers
ii. Assisting teachers
iii. Reducing class size
iv. Automating all school functions - What is an ethical consideration for edtech companies?
Reducing teacher salaries
ii. Securing sensitive personal data
iii. Limiting access to technology
iv. Encouraging teacher replacements - What is Smart Sparrow known for?
Teaching science experiments
ii. Providing unique feedback
iii. Writing essays
iv. Creating games - Which of the following is a limitation of AI tools?
Instant feedback
ii. High implementation cost
iii. Automation of grading
iv. Personalized lesson plans - What do edtech companies need to improve in AI tools?
Limited creativity
ii. Grading speed
iii. Standardized lesson plans
iv. Reducing teacher involvement - How can AI support teachers?
By managing administrative tasks
ii. By replacing their roles
iii. By making manual corrections
iv. By reducing student participation - Which AI tool helps in building personalized lesson plans?
Querium
ii. Gradescope
iii. ALEKS
iv. Smart Sparrow - What role should AI play in classrooms?
Lead teaching efforts
ii. Assist teachers and students
iii. Eliminate teaching jobs
iv. Replace classroom discussions - What can heavy reliance on AI cause in students?
Improved interaction
ii. Lack of human support
iii. Increased emotional intelligence
iv. Better teamwork - How do AI tools benefit students?
By automating lessons
ii. By providing tailored support
iii. By creating test papers
iv. By removing classroom stress - What aspect of privacy concerns people regarding AI tools?
The cost of tools
ii. Storing sensitive personal data
iii. Lack of creativity
iv. Delayed responses - Which AI tool helps students improve their math skills?
Ahura
ii. Knewton
iii. Carnegie Learning
iv. Gradescope - What should edtech companies focus on to ensure AI is ethical?
Teacher replacement
ii. Transparent development
iii. Fast automation
iv. Competitive pricing - What barrier does the high cost of AI tools create?
Reduced class size
ii. Limited access to technology
iii. Lowered teaching standards
iv. Increased efficiency - Why is the cost of AI tools an issue?
Schools have limited resources
ii. They lack modern technology
iii. They are overly complicated
iv. Teachers resist change - Which organization oversees human rights declarations?
UNESCO
ii. United Nations
iii. AI Ethics Council
iv. National School Boards - What is one way AI supports teachers?
By replacing their roles
ii. By automating repetitive tasks
iii. By limiting student participation
iv. By increasing class size - Which of the following is a key benefit of AI in education?
Delayed learning feedback
ii. Personalized learning paths
iii. Reducing the number of teachers
iv. Automating communication between students - What type of feedback does AI offer to students?
Delayed feedback
ii. Instant feedback
iii. Inconsistent feedback
iv. Minimal feedback - Which AI tool specializes in math tutoring?
Gradescope
ii. ALEKS
iii. Smart Sparrow
iv. Ahura - What is a limitation of AI in the classroom?
High teacher involvement
ii. Lack of human interaction
iii. Low implementation costs
iv. Overdependence on textbooks - What does “privacy concerns” in AI refer to?
Students’ exam scores
ii. Data collection and storage issues
iii. Lack of technological advancements
iv. Excessive teacher interactions - How can AI improve students’ performance?
By reducing exam schedules
ii. By identifying weak areas and providing support
iii. By removing personalized study plans
iv. By delaying their learning process - What is an important responsibility of edtech companies?
Making teachers redundant
ii. Ensuring ethical development of AI tools
iii. Focusing on offline tools only
iv. Replacing traditional classrooms - Why might schools hesitate to implement AI tools?
Lack of qualified teachers
ii. High development and implementation costs
iii. AI tools’ slow learning pace
iv. Low student engagement - What is the focus of Carnegie Learning?
Science lessons
ii. Math skill improvement
iii. Historical research
iv. Language development - How can AI tools complement teachers?
By taking full control of classrooms
ii. By assisting in grading and lesson planning
iii. By limiting creativity in the classroom
iv. By reducing the role of physical classrooms - What is one ethical issue edtech companies must address?
The automation of teachers’ tasks
ii. Privacy and security of student data
iii. Delayed use of AI tools
iv. Removal of student interaction - Which AI tool is used for automating grading?
ALEKS
ii. Querium
iii. Gradescope
iv. Knewton - How do tools like Querium help students?
By focusing on only one subject
ii. By providing step-by-step tutoring
iii. By eliminating classroom assessments
iv. By increasing workload - What is an example of personalized learning in AI?
Assigning identical lessons to all students
ii. Creating learning paths based on performance
iii. Randomly assigning topics
iv. Removing individual feedback - Why is the human aspect important in education?
It ensures emotional and social support for students
ii. It decreases interaction in the classroom
iii. It focuses on technical solutions only
iv. It limits students’ creative skills - What is one downside of relying heavily on AI?
Reduced access to online tutorials
ii. Overdependence and lack of emotional support
iii. Increased classroom interaction
iv. Faster grading processes - What should schools prioritize when introducing AI?
Cutting down teaching staff
ii. Enhancing human-AI collaboration
iii. Reducing student interaction
iv. Delaying its adoption - Which of the following AI tools provides constructive feedback?
Smart Sparrow
ii. Querium
iii. ALEKS
iv. Ahura - Why are edtech companies critical in AI’s development?
They decide how teachers should teach
ii. They ensure responsible and effective AI use
iii. They reduce student participation in learning
iv. They focus on building non-interactive tools - What can excessive use of AI in classrooms lead to?
Improved interpersonal skills
ii. Reduced emotional and human interaction
iii. Increased focus on teamwork
iv. Enhanced teaching creativity - What is one example of an AI-powered learning assistant?
Gradescope
ii. Ahura
iii. Smart Sparrow
iv. Carnegie Learning - What can personalized feedback from AI improve?
Group work efficiency
ii. Individual student performance
iii. Classroom layout
iv. Grading consistency - Which AI tool is specifically designed for English students?
Knewton
ii. Querium
iii. ALEKS
iv. Gradescope - What is a key concern for schools implementing AI tools?
Teacher availability
ii. High costs and budget constraints
iii. Student interest in AI
iv. Increased focus on traditional methods - What aspect of AI tools is beneficial for teachers?
Eliminating classroom discussions
ii. Automating repetitive tasks
iii. Focusing solely on theoretical concepts
iv. Encouraging no interaction - What does “adaptive learning” mean?
Standardized learning for all students
ii. Customizing lessons based on student needs
iii. Eliminating feedback mechanisms
iv. Focusing only on advanced learners - Which tool offers unique, constructive student feedback?
Querium
ii. Smart Sparrow
iii. ALEKS
iv. Knewton - What is a significant limitation of current AI tools?
Creativity and originality
ii. Speed of grading
iii. Data collection processes
iv. Teacher involvement - What is one positive impact of AI on teachers’ workloads?
Reducing classroom sizes
ii. Automating grading tasks
iii. Limiting creativity
iv. Replacing human involvement - Why is it important to balance AI and teacher roles in classrooms?
To reduce costs
ii. To provide holistic education
iii. To minimize student involvement
iv. To fully automate learning
B. Answer the following questions:
- What potential does AI have in the field of education?
- How does AI provide personalized learning in the classroom?
- What types of tasks can AI automate for teachers?
- Why is instant feedback important for students?
- Where can AI-powered tools be used in education?
- Who benefits from personalized learning paths created by AI?
- What is the role of edtech companies in advancing AI in education?
- How does AI help teachers focus on other tasks?
- Why do some educators see AI as a threat to their jobs?
- What are the limitations of AI in the classroom?
- What does Ahura track in students?
- How does Knewton support personalized learning?
- Where is Querium used as a tutoring tool?
- What does ALEKS focus on in student learning?
- How does Carnegie Learning help students?
- Which AI tool automates the grading process?
- What feedback does Smart Sparrow provide?
- Who can benefit from Gradescope’s automated grading feature?
- What are some examples of AI tools used in the classroom?
- How do AI-powered tools like Querium create lesson plans?
- Why is human interaction essential in education?
- How does AI affect emotional support for students?
- What are the privacy concerns associated with AI tools?
- Why are AI implementation costs a challenge for schools?
- How can edtech companies reduce the cost of AI tools?
- What is a downside of relying too heavily on AI in education?
- How can overdependence on AI impact students negatively?
- Why is ethical development of AI tools important?
- What issues can arise from AI collecting personal data?
- How can AI tools assist teachers instead of replacing them?
- What kind of feedback does AI provide to students?
- How do AI tools analyze student performance?
- What is meant by adaptive learning in AI tools?
- How does AI improve efficiency for teachers?
- Why is creativity a limitation for current AI tools?
- What type of support does ALEKS provide?
- How does AI help students with immediate corrections?
- What are some innovative capabilities of AI in classrooms?
- How do AI-powered tools foster personalized support?
- What is the significance of step-by-step tutoring in Querium?
- Why should edtech companies focus on improving AI capabilities?
- How can edtech companies address privacy concerns?
- What ethical considerations should edtech companies keep in mind?
- How can edtech companies ensure their tools remain accessible?
- What are the regulations edtech companies must follow?
- Why should edtech companies collaborate with teachers?
- How can edtech companies ensure their tools are inclusive?
- What should edtech companies prioritize when creating AI tools?
- How can partnerships help schools afford AI-powered tools?
- What measures can edtech companies take to improve students’ AI experiences?