A classroom is a child’s second home, meant to provide personalized attention to him/her. They are supposed to be places where lessons can be learned according to one’s learning speed, where teachers can focus more on teaching rather than grading, and where each child feels empowered. However, often, teachers are burdened with more work than their capacity, and students are forced into the rat race. To bridge this gap and ensure that the imagination and reality turn one, educators need to leverage the power of AI tools to simplify teaching and enhance learning.
Artificial intelligence is transforming the world of education. It is creating space for more creativity and accessibility, but it comes with its own set of challenges.
Are you an educator wondering whether integrating AI is ideal or not? Do you have multiple questions about the use of AI in education, its challenges, tools, benefits, etc.? In this article, we have covered each section in detail. Let’s delve further!
Benefits of Using AI Tools in the Classroom
1. Make Education More Accessible
Research shows that over 90% of educators see AI as a source for more accessible education. AI helps break education barriers by making learning material available to everybody, regardless of socio-economic factors. Besides, it also promotes accessibility by providing features such as live speech-to-text and text-to-speech generation and linguistic translation, making it easier for people with diverse learning needs and backgrounds to adapt.
2. Boost Student Engagement
Ensuring students remain engaged and attentive is one of the greatest challenges for teachers today. From fleeting attention spans to wandering minds, they struggle to gather students’ attention. One potential solution to this is using AI to create customized lessons and interactive content.
McKinsey’s analysis found that individualized learning can boost engagement of students by up to 60% and improve educational outcomes by 30%.
AI-powered tools like gamified quizzes, virtual simulations, and chatbots can make learning more versatile and engaging. Instead of traditional rote learning, students can experience lessons through interactive platforms that encourage participation. AI can also be used to create individualized courses according to each student’s custom needs and learning styles.
3. Improve Student Learning Outcomes
The key aim of every teacher is to ensure their students understand well. According to a Deloitte poll, 68% of educators believe AI-powered content curation improves student learning outcomes.
Artificial Intelligence tools can help teachers organize content from various sources. They can gather learning material from research papers, books, articles, etc., and improve their lessons. It can help students improve their understanding and resonate better.
4. Automate Assessment and Grading
Teachers are often burdened with multiple administrative tasks, such as grading tests and creating assessments. AI can help them reduce their workload by automatically evaluating examinations.
AI tools can grade multiple-choice questions and short answers with great accuracy. They can provide instant feedback to help students rectify their errors and learn better.
Beyond grading, AI can analyze student performance trends, highlighting common mistakes and areas that need improvement. It allows teachers to adjust their lesson plans based on real data.
5. Fosters Tech-Savviness Among Students
We live in a digital era where every task requires tech-savviness. By integrating AI into the classroom, teachers can equip students with the required digital skills. As technology evolves, students can become more comfortable with AI tools. It can help them in the future when they seek jobs, run their businesses, or even perform everyday tasks.
Challenges in Using AI Tools for Education
(i). Affordability and Adaptability
Many schools lack proper funding and resources, making them vulnerable to staying behind their competitors. AI tools often come with a high price tag, making them inaccessible for smaller institutions. Since they also require infrastructural development, such as high-speed internet and digital devices, these schools are unable to afford them.
Another challenge is adaptability. Many AI tools are not made to fit diverse educational needs. Most teachers and students are used to traditional methods and find it difficult to shift to AI-driven lessons.
(ii). Data Privacy
AI tools rely heavily on data collection to create tailored solutions and learning modules. While this may seem beneficial for better learning, it raises huge concerns about the data privacy of the students. AI platforms can track student’s grades, behavior, learning patterns, weaknesses and vulnerabilities, decision-making skills, etc. If used incorrectly, this data can be a massive threat to them.
(iii). Untailored Algorithms
One major issue with AI is that many algorithms are not designed to cater to the diverse learning needs of students. AI-powered platforms often work on a standardized model, which may not accommodate students with different learning styles, special needs, or backgrounds.
For instance, an AI system that generates automated feedback on essays may struggle to understand creative or non-traditional writing styles, leading to unfair grading. It can lead to ambiguity and drain student’s morale over unfair judgment.
(iv). Resistance to Change
While change is the only constant, it is not readily accepted by everybody. Teachers, students, and parents usually resist changes related to curriculums and teaching methods. Their trust in the use of AI for education is often backed by a lack of credibility.
For example, parents may worry about the type of content being shown to children. They may also feel that the use of AI can increase screen time and lead to gadget addiction.
Further, students who are not tech-savvy or do not have access to higher-quality devices can be resistant.
Teachers may feel threatened that AI can replace their jobs and, thus, refrain from promoting its integration into education.
(v). Limited Teacher-Student Interaction
One of the biggest challenges and drawbacks of artificial intelligence is that it can never replace human interaction. The face-to-face conversations between teachers and students are irreplaceable. Classrooms are often full of engagement and interactivity- debates, group discussions, questions and answers, and activities. These elements foster growth and allow students to explore the subject in detail. However, such things are not possible with AI. An AI system may provide answers to a student’s questions, but it cannot replace live discussions and interactions.
For example, subjects like literature and philosophy have multiple perspectives, which can only be explored when multiple students discuss their opinions with the teacher in a classroom. These complicated subjects require student-teacher interaction, something that AI cannot support.
(vi). High Implementation Cost
AI requires more than just purchasing software. It needs constant infrastructure upgrades, training programs, maintenance, and technological developments. Schools need to invest periodically in IT support and compatible devices for smooth usage.
Even if these factors are paid for by the institute, maintaining these systems requires hiring AI-trained staff for monitoring and threat prevention.
(vii). Reduces Critical Thinking Skills of Students
From homework to projects, students rely heavily on AI software. It has already reduced their critical thinking skills and has deprived them of basic knowledge.
If AI tools are integrated into their everyday education, they may stop using their minds at all and become passive learners instead of active thinkers. They may refrain from conversing with others to seek solutions and simply accept AI-generated content as their final answers. It not only reduces their thinking skills but also deprives them of basic life skills, such as communication and confidence.
Steps to Select the Right AI Tools for Education
1. Identify the Purpose
Before picking an AI tool, schools and educators need to understand its purpose.
Why do you need an AI tool? Is it to increase student engagement, automate the grading process, explain complicated theories and topics, or provide personalized learning models for students?
By knowing the reason, you can pick and implement software that helps fulfill your goals. For example, if a school needs AI for grading automation, the tool would be very different from another one that might need AI for custom learning modules.
2. Understand Students’ Learning Needs
Every student possesses their own unique learning style, and schools must cater to them promptly. By understanding the various learning needs of students, schools can choose and implement relevant AI tools.
For example, some students may prefer interactive and engaging content such as live polls and regular quizzes. Others may require more time to digest the content and need one-on-one interaction. Understanding these needs ensures that the AI tool truly supports student growth rather than simply automating tasks.
3. Know Your Budget
Budget constraints play a huge role in selecting AI tools for education. While some AI-driven platforms are free or offer affordable plans, others come with high subscription fees, implementation costs, and maintenance charges.
It is also crucial to analyze whether the investment is worth it or not. There are various questions to answer to understand this – are your teachers ready to accept the change? Do the students have proper gadgets to access AI-based content? Can you afford the software updates, training, and technical support?
By analyzing all related factors and ongoing costs, schools can make informed decisions.
4. Research
Research is the key to picking the right tool for teaching. Conduct intensive research and gather data about various tools available in the market. Compare their features, pricing, benefits, ratings, etc. Understand the factors that are in accordance with your needs and then invest.
5. Use Before Finalizing
Most AI tools provide free trials and allow educators and teachers to try the application for a few days before the final purchase. Utilize this period to analyze whether the tool is working out for you or not. Understand its interface, consider accessibility, ease of use, etc.
By using trial tools in classrooms, teachers can get real-time feedback from students and see whether they can adapt to the change or not. They can also gauge their expectations and make a final decision.
6. Data Security and Privacy
With AI tools collecting vast amounts of student data, security and privacy should be a top priority. Schools must ensure that the AI platform complies with local and global data protection regulations to safeguard students’ personal information.
Before selecting a tool, educators should check its data policies, encryption methods, and user consent mechanisms.
For example, if an AI tool stores student progress data, it should offer clear options for data deletion or parental control to prevent misuse. Schools should never compromise on security, as data breaches can have serious consequences.
7. Tech Support
Even the best AI tools can face issues and problems. Thus, the technical support from the company’s end must be prompt. There should be no delays or lags, and support must be available 24/7, whether through phone, email, or chat.
It will ensure that lectures are not hampered and nothing halts the learning schedule of students. Such support is crucial to ensure a seamless and smooth AI integration.
8. Reviews and Testimonials
Reviews and testimonials are first-hand reports of AI tools. Thus, schools must read the feedback provided for various tools to understand their actual usage and ease. They can even connect with previous clients and educators to seek insights on whether the tools are genuinely good or not.
Future Trends in AI Tools for Teachers
(i). Inclusivity
Inclusivity is the key to a happy and productive classroom. AI can create an inclusive atmosphere by providing teachers with various resources. These resources can help them understand each student’s needs better and cater to them personally.
For instance, AI-powered platforms can analyze students’ progress and identify areas where they struggle. These pain points can be identified without human intervention and allow teachers to provide personalized support. It can be helpful, especially for those who need more time to understand and retain information.
(ii). Wider Application
The scope of AI tools is more than just education. These tools can be used for streamlining administrative tasks, career counseling, mental health monitoring, etc. AI-powered analytics will help educators track student progress more effectively, identifying those who need extra support.
Further, these tools can be used to help polish educators and refine their teaching styles. AI tools can provide live feedback about a teacher’s delivery style, tone, content, etc., and help them become better.
(iii). Democratization
Democratization of education is extremely crucial in today’s time as we live in an era of high divides. By using AI, high-quality education and learning material can be made available to students from all backgrounds.
As AI becomes more affordable and accessible, every child, despite their background, can access smart education tools. It not only empowers children but also breaks the shackles of generational backwardness and inequality.
Further, AI-powered adaptive learning platforms can enable students to learn at their own pace, eliminating the one-size-fits-all approach of traditional education.
(iv). Immersive Learning with AI and VR
The future of learning is in the hands of artificial intelligence and virtual reality. Teachers can curate immersive experiences for their students and notch up the learning process. They can take their students on virtual museum tours, showcase immersive scientific procedures, provide hands-on learning with virtual experiments, etc.
For example, instead of teaching a lesson on history, teachers can plan a virtual museum tour for students and help them learn in a controlled environment. Such activities are quite helpful for practical subjects, such as medicine and science, where educators can leverage AI and VR to train students from the beginning.
(v). Enhanced Classroom Management
Classroom management is a huge task for teachers. From trying to maintain discipline to ensuring student engagement, teachers find it difficult to balance it all. Thus, AI can help them manage these tasks seamlessly.
Teachers can use AI-powered facial recognition for behavioral analysis. It can help detect signs of distraction, stress, or lack of participation, allowing teachers to intervene at the right time.
Further, using automated attendance tools can reduce manual work for teachers. Live chatbots and automated query resolution tools can support students with frequently asked questions, reducing the burden on teachers.
Best AI Tools for Teachers
1. Gamma
Gamma is an incredible application that allows teachers to generate presentations with the help of AI. Teachers can generate content and design visually appealing and intriguing slides in a few minutes. They can integrate AI-generated images, quizzes, and polls in their presentations with Gamma.
Additionally, Gamma supports collaborative editing, making it easy for teachers to co-create lesson materials. The tool also integrates with various learning management systems, allowing seamless sharing of content with students.
2. Canva AI
Canva has become a go-to tool for most teachers and students. While it has a huge library of ready-to-use templates, its recent AI addition has changed the way people create content.
By using Canva AI, teachers can create detailed infographics, classroom notices, presentations, lesson plans, etc., with just a few clicks. They can use the ‘Magic Write’ feature to generate high-quality textual content for their visuals. They can use AI-powered background remover, image enhancer, resize tools, etc., and create stunning designs with minimal effort.
3. SlidesAI
SlidesAI is an AI-powered tool that helps create high-quality presentations by converting text into well-structured slides automatically. Instead of manually designing slides, educators can paste their lecture notes, and SlidesAI will generate a clean and professional-looking presentation in seconds. It reduces the time spent on preparing teaching materials.
Educators can adjust the font, color, and size and customize the slide according to their needs. These slides are directly created on Google Slides, making it easier to integrate with other workflow platforms.
4. Beautiful.ai
Beautiful.ai simplifies the process of designing stunning presentations by using AI-driven design principles. Teachers can create high-quality slideshows effortlessly, as the tool automatically arranges content in a visually appealing way. It eliminates the hassle of adjusting text boxes and images manually, ensuring that every slide looks polished and professional.
The tool also comes with smart templates tailored for educational use, making it perfect for creating lectures, student projects, and school reports.
5. ChatGPT
ChatGPT is an excellent platform for teachers to brainstorm new ideas, create content for lessons, break down complex topics, craft timetables and lesson plans, and even write personalized feedback for student work. Its ability to process large amounts of data and provide solutions in an instant makes it an invaluable tool for teachers.
6. SketchBubble AI
SketchBubble AI is a presentation tool designed to help teachers create visually compelling slides with minimal effort. It offers AI-powered templates and slide designs tailored for educational purposes, making it easy to develop lectures, training materials, and student presentations. The tool ensures that content is well-structured and aesthetically pleasing without requiring design expertise.
It also offers AI-driven recommendations that allow you to tweak your design and improve it for better clarity. This tool is an excellent one if you regularly need to prepare presentations.
The Bottom Line
AI is not just a trend; instead, it is a game-changer that can revamp the entire education sector. It has the power to change the learning process and make education available and adaptable for all.
AI empowers both students and teachers. By understanding its benefits and evaluating its challenges, educators can use AI to complement human interaction and create a better learning environment. When used strategically with the right tools, AI can unlock endless possibilities in education.
