As the 2022-23 academic year draws to a close and
summer begins, let’s discuss a few of the significant benefits and obvious
risks posed by K-12 students’ utilization of artificial intelligence. Given the
debate already forming about K-12
students' utilization of artificial intelligence, let us at least agree
that there are benefits and risks. This discussion will therefore begin by
reviewing only three of the more obvious benefits and three of the more agreed
upon risks associated with their usage:
- Benefits of Personalized Learning: AI
can provide personalized learning experiences tailored to individual students'
needs and learning styles. By analyzing data such as performance, progress, and
preferences, AI
algorithms can adapt instructional content, pace, and difficulty levels to
optimize learning outcomes. This personalized approach enhances engagement,
promotes self-paced learning, and helps students grasp concepts more
effectively.
- Benefits of Enhanced Access to
Education: Clearly, AI can bridge the gap in educational resources by providing
access to quality education for students who might otherwise face geographical,
financial, or physical barriers. Through online platforms and AI-powered tools,
students can access educational content, participate in virtual classrooms, and
receive personalized tutoring from anywhere, promoting inclusivity and enabling
equitable education opportunities.
- Benefits from Analyzing Student
Performance and Needs: Potentially, AI can analyze vast amounts of student data
and generate actionable insights for educators. By evaluating patterns and
trends, AI algorithms can identify students' strengths, weaknesses, and areas
where they may need additional support. This information will enable teachers
to provide targeted
interventions and design customized learning plans, facilitating effective
teaching and ideally resulting in student success.
- Security and Data Privacy Risks: For
example, the utilization of AI in K-12 education involves the collection and
analysis of large amounts of student data. This raises concerns about data
privacy and security. If not properly managed, there is a risk of
unauthorized access, data breaches, or misuse of sensitive student information.
It is crucial to implement robust security measures and strict data protection
protocols to mitigate these risks.
- Bias and Discrimination Risks: For
example. AI systems are trained on large datasets, and if those datasets
contain biases, the AI algorithms may perpetuate and amplify these biases. This
can result
in discriminatory outcomes, such as biased grading, biased recommendations,
or reinforcing existing inequalities in education. Careful attention must be
given to the development and training of AI systems to ensure they are fair,
unbiased, and promote diversity and inclusivity.
- Reduced Human Interaction and Skills
Risks: For example, increased reliance upon AI in K-12 education may lead to
reduced human interaction between students and teachers or students and
students. While AI can offer personalized learning experiences, it cannot fully
replace the valuable aspects of human interaction, including emotional support,
critical thinking development, and social skills. Overdependence on AI could therefore
potentially hinder students' ability to develop
essential interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence.
If
we recognize and address the risks associated with AI in K-12 education while
leveraging the significant benefits AI offers to teaching and learning, might
we be more apt to embrace the potential to increase K-12 students’ research
skills, promote their critical thinking, or encourage innovation and collaboration
rather than merely viewing students’ utilization of AI as a form of cheating? Proper
governance, transparency, and
ongoing evaluation will certainly be necessary for the
responsible and ethical use of AI technologies in the educational context.
So, how can teacher preparation
programs embrace the benefits while mitigating risks by preparing teacher
candidates and educational leaders to share knowledge about artificial
intelligence and promote engagement between educators concerning the potential
of AI and encouraging forward-thinking technology policies for utilization of artificial
intelligence in education?
Yes, teacher
preparation programs must play a critical role in equipping teachers and
educational leaders with the necessary knowledge and skills to navigate the
benefits and risks of artificial intelligence in education. Following are six ways
teacher preparation programs can begin addressing benefits and risks posed by K-12
students’ utilization of artificial intelligence. The six are meant to begin, not end the
discussion:
- Curriculum
Integration: Teacher preparation programs should integrate
AI-related topics into their curricula to familiarize future educators with
AI concepts, applications, and their implications in the classroom. This can
include courses or modules specifically dedicated to AI in education, covering
topics such as AI ethics, data privacy, and AI-supported instructional
strategies.
- Professional
Development: Teacher preparation programs should provide ongoing professional
development opportunities for in-service teachers to enhance their
understanding of AI and its role in education. These programs can offer
workshops, webinars, or conferences to introduce teachers to AI tools, showcase
best practices, and engage them in discussions about the benefits and risks
associated with AI utilization.
- Ethical
Considerations and Policy Development: Teacher preparation programs can educate
future educators and educational leaders about the ethical
considerations involved in AI adoption. This includes discussing issues of
bias, privacy, security, and equity. Additionally, programs can guide
participants in developing technology policies that address the responsible and
ethical use of AI in education, ensuring transparency, fairness, and the
protection of student data.
- 4. Collaborative
Partnerships: Teacher preparation programs should foster partnerships with
industry experts, researchers, and AI developers to stay
updated on the latest advancements and research in AI technologies.
Collaborations can provide valuable insights into emerging trends, challenges,
and best practices, enabling teacher educators to deliver up-to-date knowledge
to their students.
- Critical
Thinking and Digital Literacy: Teacher preparation programs should emphasize
the development
of critical thinking skills and digital literacy among educators. By
incorporating these skills into the curriculum, future teachers will be better
equipped to critically evaluate AI applications, identify potential biases, and
make informed decisions about integrating AI tools into their classrooms.
- Classroom
Integration and Practical Experience: Teacher preparation programs should
provide opportunities for pre-service teachers to gain
hands-on experience with AI tools and technologies in real classroom settings.
This can be achieved through practicum experiences, internships, or
collaborative projects with schools that have implemented AI initiatives. By
engaging with AI in practical contexts, future educators can better understand
its benefits, challenges, and adapt it to meet the diverse needs of their
students.
Embracing the need to address these aspects of AI
utilization is within the purvey of teacher preparation programs. Their teacher candidates and educational
leaders can receive the professional development that will result in a
comprehensive understanding of AI, its potential, and the associated benefits
and risks. Thus, direct instruction and the exchange of unbiased knowledge will
enable teacher candidates and educational leaders to effectively share
information, engage in informed discussions, and shape policies that ensure
responsible and effective utilization of AI in education.
To
cite:
Anderson, C.J. (June 30, 2023). The role of
teacher preparation programs related to K-12 students’ future utilization of AI. [Web log post] Retrieved from http://www.ucan-cja.blogspot.com/
References:
U.S. Department
of Education, Office of Educational Technology, Artificial Intelligence and
Future of Teaching and Learning: Insights and Recommendations, Washington, DC,
2023. Retrieved from: Artificial
Intelligence and the Future of Teaching and Learning (ed.gov)
