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Getting Schooled by Artificial Intelligence: How to use AI to improve classroom learning

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Sep 13, 2022

Artificial intelligence is everywhere

At Georgia Tech University, Professor Ashok Goel brought on a Teaching Assistant (TA) named Jill Watson to handle the large number of forum posts1 in his computer science course. The students liked her so much that they recommended her for a teaching award.2 But Jill wasn’t actually a human: she was completely fabricated via Artificial Intelligence (AI) - the students had no idea until Dr. Goel’s reveal at the end of the semester.

Why is AI used in education?

Educational AI currently manifests as online humanoid chatbots, working either independently or in conjunction with instructors. These chatbots, like Jill Watson, will become more popular over time.3

In the United States and abroad, teachers are often underpaid and overworked, and their capacity for productivity is hindered by their high load of responsibilities.2 But AI can help: in one study, researchers found that with AI, instructors were able to perform administrative functions more accurately and effectively - and it improved students’ quality of learning.3 

Algorithmic systems are growing in education through use of microblogging sites, academic social media platforms, and mobile applications. Instructors from kindergarten through high school are increasingly using scholarly social media sites,4 which places the teaching responsibilities onto intelligent algorithmic systems.5 

The benefits of AI in the classroom

The use of AI in educational settings provides 3 key benefits for teachers and students. AI can:

  1. Support a mixed-abilities classroom6,7
  2. Reduce the pressure placed on teachers and gives them more time to support students6,7
  3. Create a more personalized learning experience for students8

Tangible opportunities for AI development

Even though educational AI is already helping teachers and students, it is not yet completely reliable in addressing teachers’ needs, addressing students’ desire for personalization, or assisting a mixed-abilities classroom. There’s a critical lack of research that incorporates both educational theory and AI technology;9 as such, there is significant potential for innovation in the educational AI sphere. 

AI developers must recognize that teaching has historically not been a technology-centric field.10 Even today, a staggering number of students drop out of Massive Online Open Classes (or MOOCs): the drop-out rate was as high as 97% in a class at Duke and 90% in a class at Stanford.11

For AI to be successful in education, developers must place an emphasis on both educational theory and behavioral science.

The number of MOOCs available to learners has grown significantly in the last 10 years

The number of MOOCs available to learners has grown significantly in the last 10 years, from nearly zero in 2012 to about 16,000 in 2021.

How can engaged and personalized AI help students?

Self-determination theory (SDT)

Self-determination theory states we require 3 basic psychological needs for our well-being and growth: 

  • A sense of control
  • A sense of competency 
  • A sense of inclusion or affiliation with others12

The absence of these characteristics may contribute to low engagement levels and high drop-out rates in online education. Alarmingly, one study found that if the support available to students in online classes isn’t focused on addressing their needs, then it will instead contribute to negative outcomes like:

  • Fewer hours per week spent studying
  • Fewer times accessing the learning portal
  • Lower expected grade and final grade
  • Less perceived learning
  • Poorer course satisfaction12

However, AI can create communicative, personalized teacher’s assistants (TAs) to address each of the three components of self-determination theory.

AI can boost self-efficacy

Online classes with an unengaged instructor can hinder students' self-efficacy -  the belief that they'll find success in their efforts.13  An absence of traditional educational classroom scenarios can make students feel uncertain about their capabilities. In order to rectify this, instructors need to expend energy supporting the relationship between their presence and self-efficacy efforts.14

Instructors, especially those who teach online, are often overworked or under too much pressure to cater to the needs of every student. An AI-based teaching instructor could recognize the learning needs of each student and provide them with the personalized attention needed in order to gain confidence and understand the material. 

AI can improve communication

Another factor in MOOCs low retention rates is that students find it difficult to communicate with their instructors. In fact, 68% of students preferred in-class instruction for the ease of communication.15

AI-based TAs have the capacity to learn our ways of communicating and respond in a conversational manner.16 While the communication might not pass the Turing test, it can ensure that students get either quick answers to straightforward questions or are swiftly directed to the professor if the TA is unable to answer the question. 

Behaviorally-informed AI unlocks potential for student success

AI developers have significant opportunities to improve the lives of both educators and their students. When capitalizing upon students’ needs for self-efficacy, educational institutions can observe higher completion rates and higher satisfaction among scholars. 

Educational firms can use AI in the form of chatbots: they can answer questions from students and grow more intelligent when used within a specific field. They can also use AI to create customized lessons created for learners, which will help increase engagement and completion rates.17 

A customized lesson plan might look like students taking check-in tests throughout the duration of the course. Those who do well on the tests might be challenged to complete more difficult content, while those who do poorly might be provided with supplemental lessons to improve on what they got wrong.  

Employing personalization tools that allow for cultural sensitivity, regional, or other differentiators means students will gain more from the class.

AI TAs: a smart business model

In light of the pandemic and remote learning, the potential for AI in the education space is nearly limitless. In order to best help students and teachers, we must keep behavioral science and educational theories in mind by using AI as a tool to build connection and communication. 

AI can constantly learn and improve: it makes sense to invest time and money in order to create better opportunities for learners. If more students finish their courses and express satisfaction with their experiences, an educational institution can prove itself as an outlier rather than the norm. 

The Decision Lab is a research consultancy that uses behavioral science to advance social good. We work with some of the largest educational organizations in the world to tackle learning barriers and democratize access to education. We’re advised by some of the most innovative minds in education and development. If you'd like to tackle this together, contact us.

References

  1. Meet Jill Watson: Georgia Tech’s first AI teaching assistant. (2016, November 10). Georgia Tech Professional Education. https://pe.gatech.edu/blog/meet-jill-watson-georgia-techs-first-ai-teaching-assistant
  2. Chace, C. (2020, October 29). The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Education. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/calumchace/2020/10/29/the-impact-of-artificial-intelligence-on-education/
  3. Chen, L., Chen, P., & Lin, Z. (2020). Artificial Intelligence in Education: A Review. IEEE Access, 8, 75264–75278. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2020.2988510
  4. Greenhow, C., Galvin, S. M., Brandon, D. L., & Askari, E. (2020). A Decade of Research on K–12 Teaching and Teacher Learning with Social Media: Insights on the State of the Field. Teachers College Record, 122(6), 1–72. https://doi.org/10.1177/016146812012200602
  5. Cheney-Lippold, J. (2017). We Are Data: Algorithms and the Making of Our Digital Selves. In We Are Data. New York University Press. https://doi.org/10.18574/9781479888702
  6. Hrastinski, S., Olofsson, A. D., Arkenback, C., Ekström, S., Ericsson, E., Fransson, G., Jaldemark, J., Ryberg, T., Öberg, L.-M., Fuentes, A., Gustafsson, U., Humble, N., Mozelius, P., Sundgren, M., & Utterberg, M. (2019). Critical Imaginaries and Reflections on Artificial Intelligence and Robots in Postdigital K-12 Education. Postdigital Science and Education, 1(2), 427–445. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42438-019-00046-x
  7. Roll, I., & Wylie, R. (2016). Evolution and Revolution in Artificial Intelligence in Education. International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education, 26(2), 582–599. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40593-016-0110-3
  8. Hubert, K. (2021, March 30). The Benefits of AI in Education. Capacity. https://capacity.com/the-benefits-of-ai-in-education/
  9. Chen, X., Xie, H., Zou, D., & Hwang, G.-J. (2020). Application and theory gaps during the rise of Artificial Intelligence in Education. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 1, 100002. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2020.100002
  10. Fahimirad, M., & Shakib Kotamjani, S. (2018). A Review on Application of Artificial Intelligence in Teaching and Learning in Educational Contexts. International Journal of Learning and Development, 8. https://doi.org/10.5296/ijld.v8i4.14057
  11. Peterson, R. (2013, November 12). Why Do Students Drop Out of MOOCs? By Rachelle Peterson | NAS. https://www.nas.org/blogs/article/why_do_students_drop_out_of_moocs
  12. Chen, K.-C., & Jang, S.-J. (2010). Motivation in online learning: Testing a model of self-determination theory. Computers in Human Behavior, 26(4), 741–752. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2010.01.011
  13. What Is Self-Efficacy? (2022, April 28). WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-is-self-efficacy
  14. Garrison, D. R., Anderson, T., & Archer, W. (1999). Critical Inquiry in a Text-Based Environment: Computer Conferencing in Higher Education. The Internet and Higher Education, 2(2), 87–105. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1096-7516(00)00016-6
  15. Jensen, S. A. (2011). In-Class Versus Online Video Lectures: Similar Learning Outcomes, but a Preference for In-Class. Teaching of Psychology, 38(4), 298–302. https://doi.org/10.1177/0098628311421336
  16. Ivanov, B. (2020, November 30). The Role of Artificial Intelligence in E-learning. Medium. https://becominghuman.ai/the-role-of-artificial-intelligence-in-e-learning-41ac88ee3e8d
  17. How Is AI Being Used in E-Learning in 2020? (2020, July 24). LearnDash.https://www.learndash.com/how-is-ai-being-used-in-e-learning-in-2020/

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