Embracing Classroom AI: The only way to have progressive education is by laying down a path that leads to it.
Over the past few years, the advancement of educational technology has been particularly prominent and even more so after the outbreak of Covid, schools had to switch to online classes. Such a change with the help of the AI tools like Large Language Models (LLMs) in teaching has brought about a revolution in the teaching pedagogy. Hong Kong schools, especially, have seized this chance to advance their teaching strategies with schools such as the Canadian International School of Hong Kong (CDNIS).
CDNIS: The model of classroom AI integration
CDNIS is one of the two schools in Hong Kong Awarded as Apple Distinguished School and the following are proven ways that show how schools can adopt technology in their classrooms. The Apple Distinguished School is a selective program inviting only the schools that effectively implement Apple technology in education. This recognition also depicts the school as one that is always inventing ways of delivering quality education through technology.
John Stringer is the digital literacy coordinator for the Upper School of CDNIS; he is responsible for making sure that Classroom AI and other technologies are implemented effectively into the lessons taught in CDNIS. “It’s changing education for the better because we’re including AI, coding, and digital citizenship,” Stringer adds. Thus, CDNIS students not only receive the necessary practical knowledge in these fields but also know how to use them in practice and be responsible for the consequences that can happen in the digital world.
The Challenges of Integrating AI into Classroom: The Role of Teachers
Classroom AI for teachers at CDNIS has been a process of learning and development on the part of the teachers. Teachers interact with technology resources in their classroom, while carrying out their instruction using MacBook and iPads. AI and coding projects are at the core of this transformation, states Stringer, as well as preparing students for life and careers while enriching PAEA’s commitment to sustainability and digital responsibility.
In the same way, Makky Fung, the digital literacy coordinator for the Lower School at CDNIS, ensures that Classroom is used in class, in ways that would benefit the young learners. Her work focuses on how AI can be applied positively and appropriately, helping students in utilising technologies, such as iPads, in constructing meaningful group and project-based assignments.
The primary challenge of skepticism around the classroom is that it is not a new concept and has been around for years.
Whereas institutions such as CDNIS are open to the possibilities Classroom AI offers, there are still many educators skeptical about the application of the technology in education. Dr. Helen Wright, the educator and leader at Dalton School Hong Kong (DSHK), recognizes that people have had a polarizing opinion about AI in learning. Some of the teachers raised questions on the part that AI has to play in class, especially in writing tasks. Wright speaks of a higher level of tolerance in this regard; he believes that the application of such AI artifacts as, for example, ChatGPT may contribute to students’ improvement of their writing and communication skills.
“I envision Classroom AI as my assistant that can assist the students in writing by providing them with the suggestions and ideas,” she adds. When these tools are used responsibly, students get a better perspective of their topics of study and also get to learn how to express themselves.
The Importance of AI in Personalization of Learning
According to Wright, AI is expected to have a big impact on the future of learning, particularly for learners with disabilities or from disadvantaged backgrounds. Classroom could also take the role of an intelligent tutor that would be able to adapt to the level of a particular student. It can help students who cannot afford to hire personal tutors; thus, the difference between the abilities of different communities will be minimized.
Besides, according to Wright, Classroom AI can become an effective means to promote a more inquisitive approach to learning based on concepts developed by the author. AI leads students to develop their innovative and critical thinking skills rather than memorizing as it is done conventionally. In challenging conventional ways of delivery of exams AI, therefore, sparks a conversation on how students can be prepared for a world that is constantly changing.
The Future of Classroom : Revolutionizing Education
Wright also predicts that the Classroom AI will dictate future developments in educational systems all across the world in the near future. With the increase of application of AI in learning activities it is possible that curriculum will shift from knowledge-based to skills-based curriculum where students are taught how to solve problems creatively, how to make ethical decisions, among others.
She calls for an education system that is based on problem solving or the students solve problems independently. “With AI we can look at the learning process in a different way,” she states. Incorporation of Classroom into curriculum enables the educators to shift their attention towards enhancing the critical thinking skills of learners for the future integrated AI world.
The Teacher as a Lifelong Learner
Last, Wright emphasizes the need for teachers to be technology leaders. A great teacher, she said, is someone who is a lifelong learner and embraces new technologies such as Classroom. Such schools as CDNIS and DSHK set an example to follow: when teachers learn to use technology and develop their practices further, learners succeed.
Hence, the use of Classroom AI in schools presents unique potential to enhance the learning process as well as teaching activity. Thus, despite the existing problems, it is impossible not to note the contribution of AI in education . Classroom is set to remain the backbone of school transformation as schools will continue to change to better fit the learners’ needs in terms of learner engagement, student support and learning acquisition.
Source:: scmp.com
