In a traditional classroom environment, how might this Algebra lesson be taught?
The Answer: Not very well.
Traditional classroom environments lack engagement, from both students and teachers.
Studies show that on average, 60% of students experience school as monotonous and boring (Özerk, 2020). This feeling of boredom is due to a lack of involvement with the subject matter taught, as traditional teaching styles such as lectures and worksheets do not directly engage with students.
This lack of engagement hurts both students and teachers, as students lose engagement with the material and teachers lose engagement with students.
By using AI as an Evaluator, we can fix this problem.
Increased trust with students:
Increased autonomy for teachers:
Creates greater engagement with both parties.
Proven by the positive psychological effects of cognitive load.
Briefly stated, cognitive load is the measure of brain power needed to solve a problem.
Through a comprehensive literature review of over fifteen scholarly studies, we were able to build a framework to best minimize the cognitive load used in classrooms. By examining the perspectives of both students and teachers, and translating those perspectives into specific actions for AI to take when evaluating students, this model can subsequently increase engagement by reducing cognitive load for everyone involved.
And supported by an increased want for AI as an Evaluator.
A survey study of over 400 teaching professionals identified "Testing and Assessment" as the most useful purpose of AI (Holon IQ, 2023), providing evidence of an existing need for our model. Because teachers spend around 15% of their work each week grading and evaluating student assignments (Hardison, 2022), this time could easily be replaced by an adaptive AI evaluator to help teachers focus on their class.
By providing educators more time to focus on instruction and giving students a new outlet to learn material, engagement can subsequently be increased for both parties.
With Adaptive Learning Platforms, learning in the future could soon be revolutionized.
Although existing research around Adaptive Learning Platforms (ALPs) lack insight into practical application, this mockup of a platform seeks to bridge the gap between AI theory and real world uses for learners. By designing a mockup of an ALP to teach basic Algebra concepts, we can subsequently show the integration of many of the components making up our framework and demonstrate that such platforms are practical to build in the short-run.
As we move towards the future, we can build a world where this use of AI as an evaluator can support learning at all levels. Already on an individual scale, we have seen this technology improve short term learning outcomes in students across a variety of higher education institutions (Wu & Yu, 2023), which has translated into increased class engagement and class outcomes. As many of the underlying technologies used to support online learning have become cheaper to manufacture, such as mobile devices and computers, this type of ALP only has more room to grow and integrate itself into classrooms.
Imagine a world where all learners are connected. Students and teachers are able to join a global conversation, facilitated by AI, to gain knowledge on an unprecedented scale. Classrooms can become not just rooms where students learn about topics but places where with the guidance of a teacher, and the help of AI, students can gain directed education and feedback from a system drawing global knowledge. And with AI as an evaluator, powering these interactions, all of the benefits of this system are within reach.