Hi HN. I was hoping to spur a discussion on AI and edtech.
I'm from Alaska, which has fallen to 49th place in national testing scores. In some ways I feel like I barely made it out of that educational system, and as a technologist I have pondered how AI might create some positive change.
Its a bit of a touchy subject it would seem, as from a few discussions I have had with my former teachers, it sounds like ChatGPT has created more problems than it has solved, thus far. Further, many of the problems are not obviously tractable (things like problematic home life, short attention spans). More optimistically, I have heard that teachers' busywork might stand to be expedited by AI.
In any case, I am doing some research into the space and hoping to find others who are interested or passionate about improving education quality, so if anyone has anecdotes or first-hand experience, I'd love to hear.
I would say that on the whole, Chat-based LLMs ("AI") have been a large negative impact on higher education. They are good enough now that mediocre to poor undergraduate students (or whole institutions with average students) will receive better grades on assignments generated by AI than if they did it themselves (at least in the disciplines I am familiar with). Or, if not better then comparable with no effort expended.
The short-sighted benefits are just too overwhelming that even for students who arguably have skin in the education game (most do not and merely are there for credentialing) , it is a difficult battle - akin to the generation(s) who recognize that the type and amount of their social media use is problematic but react with resignation.
There is a difference between 'knowing' and 'doing things' - the consequences of AI are different across these.
Some other thoughts:
- I do not think there are any viable solutions to the AI 'problem' in education given the current structure of higher education.
- The affordances, the motivations and practical, if not overt, purpose of 'education' cannot meet AI head on.
- A stronger more explicit distinction needs to be (re-)drawn between what used to be 'vocational' and 'liberal' or 'higher' education. And a narrowing of the purpose of higher education (which would, in itself, be very disruptive)
- There needs to be an explicit addressing of AI in both curricula -- in terms of both practical training on its use as well as the pitfalls and downsides-- in terms of self-interest (e.g. if you have machines do the work to set you 'free' then you run the risk of becoming slaves to the people who make the machines (paraphrased Dune).
- Complete change in approach and most importantly assessment -- I am not sure this can be done in a system where grades are still the litmus test for learning.
- This educational crisis has to be addresssed BEFORE college- otherwise it is probably too late.
The Diamond Age: Or, a Young Lady's Illustrated Primer
Maybe not soon, but sooner than if you’d asked me 5 years ago.
https://www.amazon.com/Diamond-Age-Illustrated-Primer-Spectr...
I don't know how AI will change education, but here are some ideas on where it can have an impact:
1-Education can be individualized for each student.
2-Students can pursue what they want to learn.
3-Teachers can guide students on where to find educational materials.
4-Teachers can assess students to ensure they are learning, especially in the core curriculum.
5-Schools will shrink in size since special curriculums will be cheap to produce and won't require a large student body to justify cost.
6-Parents will choose schools for their children that align more closely with their core beliefs.