Becoming part of the solution

3 minute read

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been hailed as a technological revolution, with the potential to revolutionise multiple industries, including education. However, there are concerns about how AI could facilitate cheating in education. Despite these concerns, AI can significantly enhance education by promoting critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. In this essay, we will discuss how AI can be used to promote a more aural-based education that emphasises debate and questioning, rather than just memory and rote learning.

One of the main criticisms of AI in education is that it may enable students to cheat. However, AI can be utilised to monitor and detect cheating by analysing student behaviour and identifying irregularities. AI can be used to create personalised learning plans that cater to individual students’ strengths and weaknesses, providing a more effective way of assessing their progress.

The traditional approach to education often focuses heavily on the memorisation of facts and figures. This approach can result in a lack of practical skills and may discourage students from developing critical thinking skills. However, if cheating is a concern, an aural-based education that emphasises debate and questioning could be introduced. AI can assist students in developing these skills by encouraging them to engage in critical thinking and problem-solving. Rather than simply memorising information, students can learn to analyse, evaluate, and interpret information, promoting a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

Moreover, an aural-based education can help students develop the critical thinking skills that are necessary to succeed in the modern world. In today’s fast-paced and constantly evolving job market, employers value employees who can think critically, creatively, solve problems, and collaborate effectively. By promoting an aural-based education, AI can help prepare students for the demands of the modern workforce, providing them with the skills they need to succeed.

Furthermore, the fear that AI in education will lead to cheating is reminiscent of similar concerns that were raised when spell checkers were first introduced. When spell checkers were first introduced, there were concerns that they would make people illiterate by encouraging them to rely on technology rather than learning to spell correctly. However, what actually happened was that spell checkers helped less able people to write more coherently and express their ideas more effectively. Similarly, AI in education can help students who struggle with memorisation to develop their critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

In today’s world, identity politics is a pervasive issue. People tend to categorise themselves as one thing or the other, which often stems from fear /ignorance. However, a more aural-based education that emphasises debate and questioning can help students move away from these destructive tendencies. By engaging in debate and discussion, students can learn to understand and appreciate other people’s perspectives, rather than merely categorising them as ‘wrong’. This is particularly important given the current global climate, where an unwillingness to understand other people’s opinions and lives often leads to anger and division.

In resume we can say that AI has the potential to significantly enhance education by promoting critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity, as opposed to rote learning. While there are concerns about cheating, AI can be used to monitor and prevent cheating by analysing student behaviour and identifying irregularities. Additionally, AI can promote an aural-based education that emphasises debate and questioning, encouraging students to develop critical thinking skills and prepare for the demands of the modern workforce. By utilising AI in education, we can create a more effective and engaging learning environment that provides students with the skills they need to succeed in the real world.

In the future, we can expect to see AI playing an even more significant role in education. AI-powered virtual assistants and personalised learning plans can provide students with tailored and engaging learning experiences that cater to their unique needs and learning styles. Moreover, AI-powered assessments can provide teachers with more detailed and accurate insights into students’ progress, enabling them to provide targeted and effective feedback.

Written by Stephen Griffin and ChatGPT