Nadine Barrett-Maitland | Artificial Intelligence: A solution to support educators

Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a topical issue since the official launch of ChatGPT in November 2022. The implications of artificial intelligence, if used in the right context, can support and change the education sector for good. Through the use of AI, we can achieve the gold standard for education.

The gold standard for education focuses on personalised education. This is only possible when each student has a personal tutor. Through the use of AI, every student can have a tutor and every teacher a personal assistant. Sal Khan of academy suggests that AI may be the greatest positive transformation that education has seen.

The massive migration of teachers in developing countries like Jamaica has left a tremendous void in our education sector. Over 2,800 educators left up to September 3, and these numbers are set to increase during the 2023-24 academic year. Educational institutions are struggling to provide the basic educational requirements for learners at all levels.

The education minister recently announced that over 600 specialist teachers will be deployed to support educational institutions. This is a mere drop in the bucket compared to the reality on the ground. The president of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association states that there is a significant shortage of teachers in the schools amid the minister’s announcements. The Band-Aid of a few specialist teachers to be made available is clearly not much consolation to the Jamaica Teachers’ Association.

Large language models, such as ChatGPT, are good tools that can support educators. Secure implementations of these tools can revolutionise the education sector. There has been much talk about their impact on education and the possible replacement of teachers.

Researchers have suggested that since ChatGPT’s launch, three teams have emerged: team avoid, team ban and team embrace. Team avoid’s members are persons who are not knowledgeable about AI, so they avoid the technology. Team ban is sceptical and afraid of the impact it will have and thinks that there are no laws or guidelines to guide its use. Therefore, this team has banned the use of AI tools. Several academic research outlets, universities overseas and a few organisations have taken that route. Team embrace is now getting larger. Though many are still timid, they are willing to take their chances and learn how to incorporate these tools in their respective contexts.

HELP NOT HARM

How can AI support education? AI tools can support students in the following ways:

• Provide differentiated learning based on students’ needs

• Track students’ progress

• Develop exercises to strengthen their weak areas

• Support students in ways that would not be possible for teachers to do with large classes. This is because AI tools can give each student individual support

• Build students’ confidence through the use of methodologies designed by the educators and suggest effective ways to assess learning outcomes

• Provide opportunities for brainstorming and group discussions

• Encourage students to analyse their work critically

AI tools, such as ChatGPT, not only benefit students. They can support educators in:

• Designing lesson plans

• Suggesting content areas to achieve teaching goals

• Making suggestions for phrasing or explaining ideas in lessons

• Creating evaluation pieces

• Generating and reviewing suggestions developed by educators

• Assisting in grading assignments

These suggestions are in no way exhaustive. Additionally, AI systems can be tailored to meet needs at all levels.

EMBRACE

AI systems and tools are here to stay. Microsoft has invested US$13 million in OpenAI (Azure OpenAI). They have made these services available to their customers. This technology allows their customers to build their own versions of ChatGPT. Microsoft’s John Mongomery stated that up to May 2023, there were over 4500 customers worldwide building their own flavour of ChatGPT using Azure OpenAI services. Khan Academy’s Khanmingo was one use case used by OpenAI while developing ChatGPT-4. Khan Academy has embraced AI in developing their own curriculum. Their student numbers have increased significantly.

Khan Academy is an example of how AI in education can support all stakeholders. There is no lack of talent in Jamaica to convert or tailor these systems to our context and curriculum. We are no strangers to improvising and getting results in Jamaica. Athletes who train in Jamaica are great examples. We have less physical and financial resources than most athletes trained in developed countries. Yet, we are reaping equal and sometimes superior results. Improvisation is a part of our DNA. We can make it happen.

The present migration rate of teachers is alarming. The Sunday Gleaner dated September 3 reported that 400 educators left the classroom in 11 days. If this is not a crisis, then what is? If we continue on this trajectory, the quality of education will be negatively affected. AI systems can support the education sector.

There are many tools that educators can use to support themselves at this time when many are frustrated, stressed and afraid. Of course, this is not without its drawbacks in terms of security and over-dependence on these systems. However, awareness, education and training in using these systems will yield more benefit than harm. It will take more than talk to solve this difficult and growing educational crisis. Let us close the talk shops and work together to build a real technological solution. AI can support and save education.

Nadine Barrett-Maitland, PhD, is a senior lecturer at the School of Computing and Information Technology, University of Technology, Jamaica. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.