Private Tutor (AI) Reporting for Duty!

An encouragement to embrace artificial intelligence

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Introduction

If there has been one consistent debatable topic within educational technology over the last two to three years, I feel like the inclusion of artificial intelligence (AI) within the classroom takes the cake. There are so many opinions swirling over whether or not this technology helps or hinders learning. After scratching the surface on tools like Chat GPT, I can see the validity in worrying about how this technology can replace teachers or allow students to cheat. However, after realizing how much we are already using AI in our everyday lives without even knowing, I think it’s worth the time to truly dive into AI tools that were created FOR educators and students.

AI: The Path of Least Resistance

As an elementary educator, the diverse needs of my students are becoming more and more. Most schools are operating with less support staff, creating student to teacher ratios that are incapable of truly tailoring to the needs of students. This need alone is enough to open our eyes towards the possibilities of AI and begin welcoming it into learning environments. The Office of Educational Technology (n.d.) implores educators to limit resistance to the technology and begin viewing the future of education “more like an electric bike and less like robot vacuums. On an electric bike, the human is fully aware and fully in control, but their burden is less, and their effort is multiplied by a complementary technological enhancement.” Understanding that these tools can be powerful aids that support students across content areas and grade levels is the first step in truly appreciating the power they possess.

Instead of worrying about the constraints AI can put on learning, Houman Harouni, a lecturer on education from Harvard University, encourages educators to embrace what is out there, rather than pretending it doesn’t exist. He says that it is the responsibility of educators to “help the next generation face the reality of the world and develop instruments and ways of navigating this reality with integrity” (Ross, 2023). Rather than worrying about ways AI can remove the need of an educator or hinder learning, Harouni believes that AI presents a great opportunity for educators to model the purposeful use of an incredibly powerful tool.

Khanmigo

Sal Khan, the creator of Khan Academy, has worked the last few months to inform educators of Khan Academy’s newest tool Khanmigo. Khanmigo is an AI powered tool that works alongside students as a tutor teaching them how to internalize their thinking and improve questioning skills by using the tool. Instead of just offering answers to questions like ChatGPT 3.5, Khanmigo works to “help the student find the answer themselves by asking the student how they arrived at that solution and maybe pointing out how they might have gone off track” (Ofgang, 2023). Because of this tool, Khanmigo has the ability to work alongside students and model important skills like writing, mathematical thinking, and problem solving. In an event where the teacher cannot sit alongside a student as they are working, Khanmigo fills in the gaps by offering questioning and guidance to lead students down a path that gets them thinking about their thinking and understanding the mistakes they are making.

Conclusion

Honestly, I feel like I have just scratched the surface on AI, as I have definitely been living in that state of resistance when it comes to utilizing AI in learning. Because there are so many possibilities to use this tool wisely, I would be interested in taking an entire course on AI rather than just one module. The more educators embrace and professionally develop themselves in this matter, the better impact this powerful tool can have on improving student learning.

References

Office of Educational Technology. (n.d.). Artificial Intelligence. Office of Educational Technology. https://tech.ed.gov/ai/

Ofgang, E. (2023, March 20). What Is Khanmigo? The GPT-4 Learning Tool Explained by Sal Khan. TechLearningMagazine. https://www.techlearning.com/news/what-is-khanmigo-the-gpt-4-learning-tool-explained-by-sal-khan

‌Ross, E. (2023, July 20). Embracing Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom | Harvard Graduate School of Education. Www.gse.harvard.edu. https://www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/usable-knowledge/23/07/embracing-artificial-intelligence-classroom