How I learned to stop worrying and love A.I.

“When it comes to A.I. and education, will we build faster horses, or will we leverage the power of AI to build cars which have real transformative and disruptive potential?” Philippa Hardman

It was a bright but bitterly cold December morning when the final hoof-falls of New York’s last horse-drawn fire carriage echoed down Houston St. towards Borough Hall. The horses arrived at their destination, undoubtedly confused at what they saw. There was no smoke, no flames. Just a gaggle of onlookers gathered to pay their respects to a fading relic of the times. The horses were being replaced, and the engine responsible for usurping them would churn the United States and the world into the Industrial Revolution and beyond.

Perhaps unironically, our education system, in many ways still clinging to many of the vestiges of that same industrial revolution is experiencing its own seismic shift. Artificial Intelligence, and more particularly, generative AI and all of its expanding iterations are having a moment. Or perhaps that is what many educators are hoping it is. Just a moment. A passing fad, something that will inevitably fade, lose its cache, its novelty, before we return back to ‘normalcy’, where ‘tried and tested’ methods of educational methodology and delivery systems resume their rightful place. But A.I. isn’t going anywhere.

In fact, every second, of every day, after we’ve all gone home for the day, A.I. is learning, improving, eager to showcase its indispensability, its ability to evolve. And so like the evolution from horse to the engine, or scribe to the printing press, we are amid yet another quantum leap. As with any major disruption, it is up to us to adapt quickly, to view AI and machine learning technologies not as threats or just mere tools, but as a profound opportunity to fundamentally change and improve how we educate, collaborate and learn together. Due to article length considerations, this article will examine the opportunities A.I. presents as a personalised tutor.

In independent schooling circles, personalised tutoring has long been a tool used to help bolster academic success. The right tutors, with their knack for unravelling complexities and sparking motivation, have been a game-changer. Unfortunately, this level of tailored assistance has been out of reach for many students - until now.

 

Generative AI, when fed thoughtfully crafted prompts, morphs into a digital mentor — a personalised tutor accessible to every student with just an internet connection. Whilst we can all agree that AI does not represent a replacement theory for actual teachers, it can certainly assist in bridging the endless learning gaps that exist within a classroom, subject area or assignment. One of the keys to unleashing this potential lies in crafting effective prompts. Similar to human tutors, an effective prompt empowers the AI to play the roles of an expert and a guide. It tailors explanations, examples, and analogies to individual needs, fostering an interactive dialogue that stimulates independent thought.

 

Not only that but “AI systems can play a significant role in sustainable education. AI-powered algorithms can be used to analyse student data and create personalised learning experiences for each student.” (Lin et al., 2023) Consider the practical impact with a real-life example: Meet Alex, a student wrestling with algebra but passionately immersed in baseball. Traditional tutoring might overlook Alex's unique interests, but AI steps in as a personalised tutor. It engages Alex in a conversation about baseball statistics, seamlessly, and perhaps most importantly, patiently explains the concepts until comprehension is reached. By meeting Alex where he is, levels of buy-in, engagement and consistency can reach new heights.

 

Beyond academic success, the beauty of AI tutoring lies in its ability to level the playing field. Students who lacked access to personal tutors due to various constraints now find a supportive ally in technology. As mentioned before, AI offers patient individualised learning, creating an environment where students can progress at their own pace without fear of judgment or stigma. It's not just about academic advancement; it's about fostering an inclusive educational landscape. Yet, as with any tool, caution is paramount. AI might occasionally provide outdated information or inaccuracies. Educators play a pivotal role in testing prompts, ensuring accuracy, and equipping students with the critical thinking skills needed to distinguish between valid information and potential inaccuracies.

 

In this transformative journey, services like Khan Academy's Khanmigo have shown to be effective learning companions. In time, more options with even more personalised content (i.e. a school’s exact curriculum) will become the norm. The potential is vast, the practical applications are tangible, and the impact reaches far beyond academic success. Crafted prompts, cautious experimentation, and the integration of tailored educational AI platforms can unlock the true power of AI as a personalised tutor. It's not just about reshaping education; it's about reshaping lives.

 

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