When we talk about innovative tech, its power to disrupt is often seen as a positive. For AI, its ability to automate systems and put the power of predictive analytics in the hands of business owners is an enticing promise.
However, for educators, disruption in the classroom is generally something to be avoided.
So, when the disruptive power of AI hits the classroom, what does this mean for teachers and students?
Let’s take a closer look.
Students continue to adopt AI
Since the moment ChatGPT launched, it’s been transforming how students write essays, conduct research, solve problems and communicate ideas.
The initial response from teachers was clear. The use of GenAI to draft essays or assignments counted as plagiarism.
This hardline approach towards the use of AI only encouraged students to develop creative ways of using the tech without detection. Yet a survey from the ACT found that, rather than causing a rise in cheating or laziness, AI was most frequently used by high-achieving students as a learning aid.
Meanwhile, the 2024 Global AI Student Survey found that, at 86%, the vast majority already use AI in their studies to search for information, review documents and paraphrase information among other tasks. Furthermore, according to the general consensus is no, these AI detectors aren’t reliable enough for educators to use.
More interestingly, the same survey found that, despite the widespread use of AI tools, 58% weren’t confident about their level of AI literacy.
This shows that students will continue to use AI whether teachers support it or not. Instead of ignoring the problem, schools have an opportunity to improve engagement rates by incorporating the tech into their curriculum.
By using the technology in a controlled and supervised manner in the classroom, students can learn how to use AI as a tool, not a crutch, and hone vital skills in digital literacy.
Personalized learning
AI also has the potential to support both teachers and students in new ways. For example, public schools with large classrooms often struggle to deliver personalized instruction.
Here, AI also plays a role in supporting students to tailor learning materials to meet their individual and diverse needs.
Tools like Jamworks can enhance student interaction with lecture content by converting recordings into organized notes and interactive study materials, such as flashcards. Companies like WooClap, which was named “Innovative Young Company of the Year” by Innoviris, allow educators to save time and generate questions instantly from any source with AI.
Notebook LLM offers flexibility in how students engage with their courses by enabling them to generate content in their preferred form such as briefing documents, podcasts, or taking a more conversational approach, while Buddy.ai is an early AI teacher for learning new languages. These tools empower students to take control of their learning processes, making education more aligned with their individual learning habits and preferences.
Tech enterprises have long been in the industry, with platforms like Hypothes.is, which provides online and social annotation tools, being long-standing partners of educational institutions to improve engagement and learning. These tools could help to improve the performance of students and democratize access to personalized, one-on-one education.
The engagement issue with AI
At the same time, there are key issues that need to be looked into. For one, keeping the attention of a classroom full of students is always something that needs to be managed carefully. When we add technology into the mix, the problem compounds.
Tech enthusiasts believe that AI can actually improve engagement in the classroom. For example, using generative AI to develop deeper content ideas, or to analyze student contributions within discussion to add depth and rigor to courses.
However, screens are addictive to all of us, children even more so. Despite the potential for enhanced learning, many schools are moving the ban screens and smartphones in the classroom entirely in efforts to wrest back control of their students’ attention.
While 1 in 4 countries have already implemented a ban on smartphones, a recent study from the UK found that these bans haven’t yet had a measurable impact on student grades or well-being.
This suggests that the question of whether technology in the classroom is a positive or negative force doesn’t have a simple, cut-and-dry answer.
The use of technology is now an everyday part of life. Educators who aren’t against tech in the classroom believe that it can be used as a learning tool if managed properly. Further, incorporating it into lessons means that teachers can guide their students on how to use computers as a study tool for tasks like conducting research and give guidance on the downsides and dangers of the internet to help them develop healthy habits at a younger age.
Thankfully, there is support to help the education sector find the middle ground. Software solutions such as Classroom Manager can be leveraged to help teachers manage the screen activity of their entire class in real time, limiting access to inappropriate content, allowing them to close tabs or open up relevant webpages to manage their students’ study time and keep things focused. Founded by ManagedMethods, the cloud-based tool is designed to help K–12 teachers manage student activity on school devices during lessons.
A balanced approach to AI
The rise of AI in the classroom has been extremely rapid.
While educators have been keen to manage the risks of the technology in real-time, a new chapter is likely to see a more integrated approach take shape.
