AI, EdTech, and the Myth of Engagement

In building an EdTech business I've observed firsthand that technology is not a panacea for engagement, only when we meet students where they are does engagement follow. It was only in recognising this irreplaceable role of human connection that The Online School team gained momentum on social platforms (45M+ views to date). We could have made all of our content using AI tools, it was cheaper and more efficient, but was costing us engagement. The rise of AI will have profound effects on what, how, and why we teach, but we must always keep who we are teaching at the core of everything we do and build.

The Myth of Engagement: A Reality Check

The allure of AI in education has captivated many of us, but it is essential to pause and consider the perspectives of our students. A survey by the Walton Family Foundation revealed that teachers are twice as likely to use ChatGPT as students. This discrepancy raises a critical question: Are young people as enthralled by AI as we are?

My own experience echoes this sentiment. Despite the AI frenzy dominating my LinkedIn feed, I've yet to hear a student express a desire for a greater focus on AI in their education. I recently received a slew of DMs following one of my own posts on this that corroborates my feelings that there is a silent majority who feel the same. This isn't to undermine the significance of AI; it's a powerful tool that students should learn to harness. However, the assumption that AI automatically leads to engagement is flawed. As one student put it “We need to find some sort of balance between ‘A.I. is going to rule the world’ and ‘A.I. is going to end the world,’”

The recent fascination with the metaverse and VR technology serves as a reminder of our skewed perception of younger generations' relationship with tech. We often project our own excitement onto them, forgetting that they may interact with new technologies in ways that differ from our expectations.

Despite the numerous studies linking stronger teacher-student relationships to better grades, student perceptions that their teachers understand their lives outside of school have fallen to new lows. In order to create truly engaging programmes we must strive to understand our students - what motivates them, how they navigate new technology, and what they genuinely find engaging.

Technology, including AI, is a potent tool in education, but it's not a silver bullet for engagement. Engagement is a multifaceted phenomenon that requires a deep understanding of our students' needs and interests. Only by meeting them where they are can we hope to create learning experiences that truly resonate.

AI Educators: Promise vs. Reality

The concept of AI tutors is captivating, with their promise of personalized learning and instantaneous feedback. However, the actual engagement levels of students with these systems can be mixed. Some studies indicate that students may find interactions with AI less engaging compared to human interactions, adding to feelings of isolation as a result. This is partly due to the often dry and impersonal output of AI, which lacks the emotional depth and spontaneity of human communication.

Contrast this with AI image generators, which have proven to be highly engaging tools. The visual, instantaneous, and often surprising results captivates students' attention and sparks their creativity, making it a powerful teaching aid. This highlights an important aspect of AI in education: its effectiveness varies significantly depending on the context and the way it's used.

The plain and somewhat mundane interaction with a chatbot underscores the irreplaceable role of educators in a tech-driven landscape. As AI takes on more administrative and repetitive tasks, educators have the opportunity to transition into facilitators of learning. They can focus more on guiding students through personalized learning paths, fostering critical thinking, and nurturing creativity.

In this evolving landscape, educators are not just conveyors of knowledge but architects of engaging learning experiences. They can leverage AI tools like image and video generators to enhance lessons, while also providing the human touch that AI lacks. By blending technology with the art of teaching, educators can create a more dynamic and engaging learning environment for their students.

It's essential to strike a balance, leveraging AI as a tool to augment, not replace, the human touch in education.

STEM in the Age of AI: A Paradigm Shift

The advent of AI is poised to change almost every industry and career on the planet. Traditionally, high levels of mathematical proficiency were a prerequisite for entering the field of programming – some education institutions do not even let students take coding related subjects without a minimum grade in maths. However, the emergence of AI technologies, such as natural language processing, is changing the game. Now, you can code an app simply by having a conversation with AI, making programming more accessible to a broader range of individuals.

This democratization of coding is not only opening doors to new careers in programming for those who may not have matched the traditional skillset requirements but is also causing a fundamental shift in the skills that are valued. Creativity and communication are becoming increasingly important, potentially even surpassing the traditional emphasis on logic and mathematics.

The implications of this shift for education, particularly in STEM subjects, are profound. As AI continues to evolve, there may be a need to reassess the priority of subjects taught in schools, with a focus on nurturing creativity, problem-solving, and effective communication skills, alongside technical proficiency – something educators have spent decades pushing for.

In this new era, the role of educators will be crucial in guiding students through this transition. They will need to adapt their teaching methods to prepare students for a future where AI is an integral part of their personal and professional lives.

Looking ahead, the future of EdTech is brimming with possibilities. Virtual reality could immerse students in interactive learning environments, while advancements in AI could further personalize education. However, as we embrace these technologies, we must remain grounded in the principles of effective teaching and learning, ensuring that technology serves to enhance, not overshadow, the human experience of education. The intersection of AI, EdTech, and engagement in education is a complex and evolving landscape. As we navigate this terrain, it's crucial to balance the potential of technology with empathy and understanding of the students it is built for.

Written by: Carl Morris, Co-Founder of the Online School