Countries are at different points in their COVID-19 journey. Across the world, over 1.5 billion students in 186 nations have been affected by schools closing down because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Some countries are allowing the return of kids to schools after closing down during the pandemic. However, there are countries where students are still attending online classes. With this shift from classrooms to online classes in various parts of the world, educators and parents are wondering if online learning will continue post-pandemic, and how it can affect education. Before the pandemic hit in 2020, there was high growth and adoption of educational technologies. Investments in global educational technology have reached USD 18.66 billion in 2019, and the overall market for online education is expected to reach $350 billion by 2025. No matter it is virtual tutoring, video conference tools, virtual tutoring, or online learning tools, there has been a massive surge in usage during the pandemic.
What needs to be done urgently?
In regards to the significant rise in demand for the online learning platform, many companies are introducing educational sites and apps. It appears to be the largest online movement in the history of education. Educational institutions and organizations are trying to figure out how can AI be used in education? .
Schools and educational institutions need to look for platforms that are available to the students for free. Companies using AI in education in India should bolster the capabilities of their apps and sites to offer a one-stop-shop for students and teachers. Schools should form unique partnerships to provide local educational broadcasts with separate channels that focus on various ages and a variety of digital options. Some believe that this rapid unplanned shift to online learning, with little preparation or training and insufficient bandwidth, might result in a poor user experience that is unfavorable to sustained growth. However, others feel that the hybrid educational models will come with significant benefits.
Role of AI in Education Today
When you think of the future of AI in education, it will often conjure the image of robots as teachers and students communicating with voiced software to get their things done. While the world is still trying to create self-aware robots that you get to see in movies, AI has been used in a wide range of applications. But education is one place where great changes can be made using AI in education sector.
By implementing AI and ML in education, teachers and students get more out of their educational experience. Here is how the future of AI in online education looks like.
Artificial Intelligence can Automate Basic Educational Activities
In schools and colleges, grading tests and homework can be tedious work. It can take up a significant amount of the teacher’s time that they can otherwise use to prepare for the class, interact with children, or work on their professional development. But with advantages of AI in education, it is possible for a teacher to automate grading for all fill-in-the-blanks and multiple-choice questions.
Educational Software Adapts to Students' Needs
One of the primary ways AI will affect education is through the significant levels of individualized learning. There are a growing number of learning and adaptive programs using AI in education. These systems respond to the requirements of the students and focus on specific topics, repeating things that students have not mastered. This type of customized education will help students belonging to different levels to work together in a classroom.
AI can Point Out the Course Areas that have to be Improved
Teachers might not know where they are lacking when it comes to the educational materials and their lectures. But artificial intelligence solutions can solve that problem. When a large number of pupils give the wrong answer to an assignment, the system will alert the teacher. AI in education will help in filling up the gaps in explanation that might occur in courses and ensures that students are developing the same conceptual foundation.
AI-Driven Program will Give Educators and Students Feedback
Use of AI in education will not only help students and teachers to craft courses that are personalized to their needs but will also offer feedback about the success of the course. Schools, particularly the ones conducting online classes, are using AI for monitoring the progress of students and to let teachers know that there is some problem with the performance of the student. These AI tools help students to get the support they require.
What are the Challenges for AI in Education?
Irrespective of the wide range of benefits of implementing AI in education, there are some challenges that need to be taken care of.
Cost of AI Technology: To invest in AI for education, institutions need a large budget for covering the expenses. Apart from installing AI software, schools should also consider the software maintenance cost. Hence, schools with little funding might find it challenging to implement AI.
Little Room for Flexibility: Regardless of how analytical AI robots are, they cannot develop a student’s mind as flexibly as a human teacher. Educators can come up with different problem-solving methods; artificial intelligence does not have an alternative method to teach. Also, AI can easily detect errors, but it will not be able to correct them. Thus, if teachers or students make an error in entering information, AI will still proceed with the analytic process. However, the final result reads that there are errors. Vulnerable to Cyber Attacks: AI software is largely vulnerable to cyber-attacks. Since it contains tons of data, attackers are looking for ways to attack. So, there is a risk of the whole database of teacher, student, admin, and parent details being hacked into. All schools can do is use data protection and security software.
How to Fix the Problems?
Overcoming the challenges posed by AI in education needs a collective effort. Global organizations have already
When it comes to the implementation of a certain solution, it is important to make the right decision considering the long-lasting effect. Educational institutions have to address the practical and ethical issues of the software. Since there is little flexibility to be enjoyed with AI software, a teacher should work along with the AI software for improved performance. Moreover, to keep data protected from hackers, schools and colleges using AI tools have to install good encryption software to keep hackers away.
Future of AI in Education
AI is expected to grow by 47.5% from 2017-2021 in the American education market, as per US Education Sector’s Artificial Intelligence Market report.
This is good news for teachers as AI can be an excellent ally to teachers. Nevertheless, a few educators fear that using AI in education might replace the job of a teacher altogether.
AI in education makes way for personalized learning. It also makes comprehensive details available to teachers. Since AI is a computer base, it can help to connect to classrooms all across the world.
What has to be done to Accelerate the Adoption of AI in Education?
A lack of concrete strategy has been cited as the primary barrier for adoption with the lack of data, talent, and leadership commitment noted as hurdles in moving from aspiration to adoption.
Education institutions and governments need to focus on raising skills and education, with a focus on non-cognitive soft skills and STEM to cater to the impending need. To accelerate the adoption of AI in technology, teachers and students should know how to use ever-changing technology, like AI to their advantage. It is important to work together to solve a problem effectively. Preparing students to work along with AI in time to come might start early. Since a majority of the kids are already comfortable with digital technology by the time they start going to school, teaching them the skill they require to thrive in a digital field is crucial.
How can Clairvoyant Help the Education Industry with AI?
Clairvoyant provides a comprehensive set of services to help the education industry with the adoption of AI. It partners with enterprises across the world to unlock the real potential of data and develop a better future. With intelligence, it builds solutions that can authenticate your data and accelerate your growth. With time, there has been a rapid influx of data in the educational sector. So, it has become challenging to maintain the pace in a cost-efficient and secure manner. But Clairvoyant will help in staying ahead of the curve to advance your data-driven digital journey and unveil hidden opportunities.
With the help of our experts, your educational institution can reach actionable insights. They will help in operationalizing AI for maximizing the ROI. Enterprises are always looking for ways to harness the power of data and benefit from it through AI. Our team of experts can help in unlocking the true potential of data and create an intelligent future.