Not a day goes by that I don’t hear someone practically shouting about AI in education and training. It’s still got the sheen of the shiny new objective, despite use cases that have been in play for some time. I think once the shiny new thing effect has worn off, we’ll see uses of AI in education and training that are worth the cost and effort to develop them.
One use that I think is especially promising in educating new software users is an AI application that can determine needs from the user’s actions. This includes what they have actually done in the software (and what they haven’t that might be critical to their success), any marketing or educational content that they have already consumed (plus those key learning experiences they may have missed), and questions the user is asking or places where they appear stuck. If the learning paths are constructed in a modular way, the AI application can serve to the learner the most appropriate learning experience for them in that moment. We always talk about helping learners in their moment of need. AI has a potential of transforming the way users consume the online learning content to just the pieces they need at the moment they need them. My main concern at this point is the continuation of the hype. The hype includes both promises and threats that aren’t necessarily realistic. For example, robots are not going to replace teachers. A goal of 100% self-paced online learning isn’t realistic either, no matter how good the AI tutor supporting it is. My hope is that educators will have opportunities to make use of it where it makes sense. It doesn’t make sense to spend a lot of money on a tool that doesn’t bring actual value to the process or the impact that its having.
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AuthorMichele Wiedemer has worked in software as an "accidental instructional designer" for many years. She is currently completing the MS in Learning Technologies at The University of North Texas. This blog represents reflections on specific assignments in the coursework. Archives
February 2024
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