Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in the Education Sector
Updated: Nov 12, 2019
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already ubiquitous in our day-to-day lives. From maps that find the optimal route, to Amazon, Netflix
Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in the Education Sector
Updated: Nov 12, 2019
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already ubiquitous in our day-to-day lives. From maps that find the optimal route, to Amazon, Netflix and Facebook who curate content and make recommendations tailored specifically to us. Your smartphone even understands voice commands and can perform tasks prompted by you. The technology is pervasive and is increasingly being applied in the education sector.
EDTechXGlobal and IBIS Capital estimated in their 2016 Industry Report that:
Only 2% of global education
goods and services are digitised
by 2020 the annual global spend on technology in education will reach $250b (yes billion) and,
by 2035 there will be 2.7 billion students worldwide – in order to cope with this demand it is estimated that around two new universities per day needs to be built over the next 20 years.
Globally in the education sector, AI is being applied in tools that help develop learner skills, allow self-paced tailored learning, streamline assessment systems, and automate administrative activities. As the technology matures, the hope is that AI can help fill gaps in learning and teaching allowing educational institutions and teachers to do more than ever before. Similarly, the expectation is that educational policy development and decision-making will be greatly enhanced by AI’s analytical capability.
Here, in the New Zealand education sector, the opportunities to benefit from AI and Machine Learning (ML) mirror global trends. We already have terabytes of information available to develop better insights to optimise decision-making and refine policy. Due to our relative size we are well-positioned to achieve national impact.
What is Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)?
A myriad definitions abound concerning these concepts. In simple terms, AI is the umbrella concept for technologies that try to perform tasks or simulate processes we normally associate with human intelligence.
The bedrock of this is Machine Learning (ML) and when multiples of these technologies are used in conjunction, the resulting software or system is said to be ‘using AI’.
What is Happening Globally
Various nuances and combinations of AI technologies are being used to deliver specific outcomes in the education sector. Our research shows significant offerings exist to address individual learner success. Equally importantly, opportunities abound for improving the administration, financial management and delivery of educational services at sector level and individual provider.
The advances in network speeds, analytics, and security (e.g. BlockChain) present enhanced capabilities in learner record management.
Moreover, virtual and augmented reality technologies present amazing experiential learning opportunities.
All of these complement and help facilitate AI and ML solutions.
Why is AI in Education on the Rise?
Global population trends suggest that if existing education structures persist, significant infrastructural improvements will be required to meet the higher education demands by 2035.
The factors driving AI development and implementation in education:
AI and ML capabilities have leapt forward in the past few years making innovative solutions more readily available in the market;
The students of today will find themselves in an increasingly technological and AI centred world, hence the importance for educational institutions to expose students to these technologies;
Growth trends shows the sector will need to reshape and exponentially increase the delivery capabilities and methods for teaching, learning and management of our educational institutions.
… to cope we need to build
two universities per day until 2035
How can AI and ML help?
Drive learning effectiveness and personalisation for individual learners.
Analytics and insights – which have the potential to shape sector decision-making and policy, while being able to evaluate the effectiveness and impact of targeted interventions at speeds not previously seen.
Streamline and optimise administrative tasks for education providers and teachers:
...to allow teachers the time and freedom
to provide understanding and adaptability
which are uniquely human capabilities
with which machines would struggle.
What’s Possible for the Education Sector?
The education sector generates and collects vast amounts of data. Using advanced analytics, insights based on sector wide data can be gained with greater speed, accuracy, and confidence than ever before.
These new insights will inform policy-shaping and decision-making to address specific concerns and increase the effectiveness of targeting specific learner groups’ needs, regional needs, and provider behaviours. AI will enable faster, more accurate assessment of policy decisions, whilst new initiatives can be quickly assessed before wider rollout is planned, funded and deployed.
The micro-credentials concept – which is heavily dependent on AI – is gaining significant interest globally. This concept relates to tracking all learning experiences, individual papers, or achievement badges through to full courses and certifications as well as being able to mentor on a personalised level.
Micro-Credentials are badges, nano-credentials and
nano-degrees, that recognise the achievement of
a defined set of skills and knowledge.
Learning Management Systems (LMS) – which are already prevalent in the sector – are being enhanced with the adoption of micro-credentials. One solution provider is working towards empowering underprivileged communities by aligning a range of learning experience (micro-credentials) to career opportunities.
Similarly, Learner Profiles will be able to be enhanced to form one authoritative history on each learner (transcripts, competencies, accreditations etc). Listen to an interview with Matt Pittinsky from Parchment for more on this topic.
What’s Possible for Providers?
There is real potential for AI to create more efficiency and effectiveness for edu