AI in Education: New Tools, New Perspectives

Roxanne Bélanger

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is gradually transforming every field, including education. But what impact does it truly have? How can it practically support teachers, students, and education professionals? This article provides an overview of the challenges, opportunities, and concerns involved in integrating AI into the educational landscape.

What Is Artificial Intelligence?

The Optania team has been exploring this question for quite some time. To better understand AI, let’s break down the terms “intelligence” and “artificial.”

Intelligence refers to the capacity to understand and learn, allowing us to adapt and solve problems. It is defined as “the action or fact of mentally apprehending something” (Oxford English Dictionary), distinct from intuition or sensation.

The term Artificial describes something created through human intervention, something fabricated and not naturally occurring.

The Canadian Encyclopedia defines AI as the ability of machines to replicate cognitive functions linked to intelligent human activity or behaviour. In schools, AI is often associated with the fear that teachers might be replaced, but there are no current examples of this happening. Instead, AI-powered tools are made to complement educational practices by automating tasks, giving teachers more time to focus on personalized teaching and providing better support. Their goal is to assist education professionals, not to replace them.

At Optania, we view AI as a set of systems that enrich educational platforms. By calculating, analyzing, and producing results based on predefined criteria, AI becomes a powerful tool to support educators and improve learning outcomes.

Practical Applications of AI in Education

1. Chatbots and Virtual Assistants

When designed specifically for students and with clear boundaries, chatbots act as personalized assistants that promote engagement and success. For example, Ali the virtual assistant instantly answers students’ questions, guides them throughout their academic journey, and helps identify specific needs.

2. Predictive Models and Adaptive Learning Platforms

In Quebec, systems like ISA (Dalia) analyze student progress in real time. Dalia helps detect early signs of potential dropouts or failures, allowing for timely and targeted interventions. This foresight gives teachers and support staff an overview to proactively assist each student.

3. Administrative and Management Tools

Solutions such as Ali’s management dashboard and Comm100 automate administrative tasks, including handling support requests and sharing administrative information specific to each school. By streamlining these processes, AI helps allocate resources effectively, gather statistics, address student concerns, and simplify internal communication.

4. Personalized Teaching

AI-powered educational assistants, like Brisk's Teaching Tools, help teachers tailor learning materials to each student’s needs. These tools assist in content creation and activity planning, accommodating diverse learning styles and challenges while reducing preparation time. The materials and exercises can be adapted to each student’s pace, making learning more personalized and flexible.

Check out our article to learn more about the practical applications of IA in education.

Benefits of AI for Education Professionals

While AI offers numerous advantages, it shouldn’t be applied in every situation. Understanding its benefits and limitations is key to using it effectively. Integrating AI where it truly adds value maximizes its impact and prevents overreliance or unrealistic expectations. A balanced approach ensures AI genuinely enhances the educational experience.

Here are some key benefits AI brings to educators:

1. Time Optimization

By automating tasks and student progress tracking, educators can focus on delivering a high-quality learning experience. This increased efficiency allows them to dedicate more time to individualized student support and improve overall teaching quality.

2. Personalized Learning

AI analyzes results and learning behaviours to help educators offer content that better suits each student’s needs. This approach fosters inclusion, addresses individual challenges, and provides targeted support for struggling learners. However, it’s essential that the tools used are research-validated, and that educators maintain control over educational decisions.

3. Accessibility

AI can contribute to inclusive education by making learning resources more accessible, especially for students with specific needs. For instance, AI-powered tools can create adapted content for students with learning disabilities or physical limitations. This makes education more flexible and better suited to accommodate the diverse needs of learners.

4. Data and Analytics

One of AI's strengths is its ability to process large volumes of data, offering valuable insights into student performance and progress. This helps educators identify areas needing intervention and make informed decisions based on real data to refine educational strategies and improve outcomes.

Should We Be Wary of AI in Education?

There are many concerns about AI’s role in education, particularly related to ethics and human interaction. Some worry that AI could dehumanize teaching or replace essential functions. However, current examples show that AI is designed to enhance educators' work, not replace it. As Optania highlights, “We need to give AI its rightful place, while reducing mechanical tasks still performed by many professionals in the field of education.” The ethical use of AI lies in enhancing learning without attempting to automate everything.

The key is to approach AI thoughtfully, considering its challenges while asking the right questions: How can it enhance professional practices? How can we anticipate and mitigate risks? Moreover, integrating AI into software doesn’t mean it is all-encompassing. It can enhance specific functions without affecting the entire platform.

AI is first and foremost a tool, and its impact depends on the framework in which it is developed and used. Educators must retain control over educational decisions. However, when AI is used within a responsible, well-defined framework with no evident negative effects, restricting its potential would mean overlooking a valuable opportunity.

Ethical and Practical Challenges of AI in Education

AI integration comes with challenges. How do we prevent it from reinforcing existing biases? How do we ensure it respects teachers’ autonomy and doesn’t become a tool for surveillance? Responsible and ethical use is essential in keeping human judgment central to educational processes.

Key Challenges:

Ethics: Safeguarding privacy while minimizing the biases in algorithms.
Technological Dependence: Avoiding overreliance on technology.
Digital Literacy: Training both educators and students in digital tools.
Cost: Ensuring the necessary initial investment for implementation.

AI can associate, recognize, and replicate elements. When the input is high-quality (validated by professionals, for example) and training criteria are well-defined, AI can produce reliable results. In education, AI should be used as a tool to support decision-making with research-backed content to ensure a balanced and positive impact on learning environments.

AI: An Ally for the Future of Education

AI is likely to become ubiquitous in schools in the coming years, but this transition must involve collaboration among educators, students, administrators, and parents. A clear and ethical framework is necessary to ensure AI is effectively integrated into educational practices.

When applied with care, AI offers an unprecedented opportunity for education. By streamlining administrative tasks, personalizing learning, and assisting educators, it can free up time for what matters most: supporting students. However, this shift should never compromise the human aspect of teaching. While AI is a powerful tool, human connection must always remain at the heart of education.

To prepare for this transition, we encourage you to think about how AI can be integrated into your environment and what frameworks need to be put in place to ensure these educational tools align with your reality.