Consider any experience you have using artificial intelligence systems or digital assistants.  Do you think using these technologies are helpful for your study and life?  Please specify with examples.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has yet to become a universally accepted component of the elementary school classroom; therefore, I have no experience in using AI, with the exception of Google Read and Write. I understand the benefits of AI and welcome AI being a regular facet in elementary school instruction. I am most intrigued to know more about how AI could potentially develop a customized learning profile of every student—similar to an Individual Education Plan (IEP)—that differentiates the curriculum in order to meet individual needs (Schmelzer, 2019). Ayoub (2020) points out how AI has the potential to accurately analyze assessments and build personalized reinforcement material for further development. If this is possible, then it alleviates a lot of teacher prep-time time and allows instructors to focus on curriculum development with other forms of technology. Schmelzer (2019) adds how AI could allow for objective assessments, void of bias. Therefore, if AI’s effectiveness in academic customization contributes to objective assessment and increased time for teachers to assist all learners prepare for the future (Ayoub, 2020), then by all means—incorporate AI.

However, I do not agree with AI becoming a tool used for classroom management related to transitions such as asking students to line up for lunch, or to help with simple instructions (ISTE, 2020). Nor would I want AI to be the primary interaction with parents (Schmelzer, 2019) because that would eliminate the necessary and personal communication teachers require from external factors, such as parents, that nurture student success. I cannot think of one parent that would rather communicate with AI rather than a teacher when it comes to their child’s academic experience. AI could definitely be a useful tool, but it cannot substitute the behaviourist tenets of self-efficacy for understanding an individual’s lived consciousness (Gendler, 2016).

Having said that, I often wonder exactly how close we are to incorporating AI in the elementary school classroom because there continues to be a dichotomy between a teacher’s willingness to implement AI and policy makers recognizing AI’s legitimacy as a universally accepted learning tool (Bates, 2013). The literature I have read thus far also outlines the different attitudes between administration and teachers, which continues to widen the gap of universal acceptance (Brown, 2013; O’Reilly, 2016; Samuel, Onasanya, & Yusuf, 2019; & Vatanartiran & Karadeniz, 2015). Ayoub (2020) implores all invested parties to develop a sustainable pedagogy by having a small goal and developing it according to comfort level. I am curious to see where this journey takes us.

References

Ayoub, D. (2020, March 4). Unleashing the power of AI for education. MIT Technology Review. https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/03/04/905535/unleashing-the-power-of-ai-for-education/

Bates, T. (2013, April 22). Can you teach lab science via remote labs? Online Learning and Distance Education Resources. https://www.tonybates.ca/2013/04/22/can-you-teach-lab-science-via-remote-labs/

Brown, M. R. (2013). Identifying and integrating relevant educational/instructional technology for culturally and linguistically diverse students with disabilities in urban environments. JAASEP, Winter, 6-19.

Gendler, A. (2016, April 25). [TedEd]. The Turing test: Can a computer pass for a human? [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3wLqsRLvV-c&feature=emb_title

ISTE (2020). Artificial intelligence in education. International Society for Technology in Education. https://www.iste.org/learn/AI-in-education

O’Reilly, E.N. (2016). Developing technology needs assessments for educational programs: An analysis of eight key indicators. International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology (IJEDICT), 12(1), 129-143.

Samuel, N., Onasanya, S. A., & Yusuf, M.O. (2019). Engagement, learning styles, and challenges of learning in the digital era. International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology (IJEDICT), 15(4), 35-43.

Schmelzer, R. (2019, June 12). AI applications in education. Forbes.https://www.forbes.com/sites/cognitiveworld/2019/07/12/ai-applications-in-education/?sh=5d65bed762a3

Vatanartiran, S. & Karadeniz, S. (2015). A needs analysis for technology integration plan: Challenges and needs of teachers. Contemporary Educational Technology, 6(3), 206-220.