AI Unleashed: Redefining the Learning Experience

Işıl Boy Ergül, the founder of TeacherX & ETZ, will be a speaker at the upcoming OEB conference, where she will be presenting:

AI-Driven Learning to Shape the Future of Education | Thursday, November 28 2024 at 12:00 PM

This session aims to build on key insights from UNESCO’s “Digital Learning Week” and explore the transformative potential of AI in education. Attendees can expect discussions on adopting a holistic approach to AI in teaching practices, emphasising global examples, ethical considerations, and the importance of AI literacy for educators.

“Artificial intelligence is not just a tool; it’s a new dimension.”

At the “Digital Learning Week” event held in Paris in September, significant insights were shared for the education sector, including AI competency frameworks for teachers and students.

The Importance of a Holistic Approach to AI in Education

We must adopt a holistic perspective when using AI in education; approaching topics from a one-sided view offers us a narrow scope. “If you can’t see what’s coming, you’re not looking closely enough.” Therefore, we should closely follow examples from around the world instead of focusing solely on our own country. Furthermore, it’s important to build an inclusive society and strengthen digital citizenship by balancing competition and collaboration. In this context, we should adopt a holistic approach by connecting different stakeholders.

The Contribution of AI to Education and the Role of Teachers

Seeing AI merely as a tool fails to recognise its full potential in education; AI introduces a new dimension to learning. While Web 2.0 tools operate with a deterministic approach—producing the same output from the same input every time—AI tools adopt a stochastic approach, where the same input may yield different results. This illustrates that AI is more flexible but also less predictable. AI technology stands out from other technologies with its ability to mimic human behavior and has the potential to influence human decision-making processes. Therefore, the reliability of AI-generated content must be questioned; teachers should understand AI’s principles and critically evaluate the accuracy of its outputs. Additionally, developing algorithmic thinking skills is crucial for both teachers and students to better understand AI and make more informed decisions when interacting with these systems.

AI Literacy

Today, literacy has become synonymous with digital literacy. Consequently, teachers need not only basic literacy skills but also technology literacy, particularly AI literacy, which has become increasingly important. Teachers should take the “driver’s seat” in this process—effectively managing AI applications in education and guiding their students. The AI Competency Framework for Teachers (AI CFT), developed by UNESCO, outlines the knowledge, skills, and values teachers need to use AI in education in an ethical, human-centered, and effective manner. This framework encompasses five key dimensions: human-centered mindset, ethics of AI, AI foundations and applications, AI pedagogy, and AI for professional learning.

Environmentally-Conscious AI Citizens

AI plays an essential role in cultivating environmentally conscious individuals. However, we must aim to foster “AI citizens with environmental awareness,” individuals who use technology in harmony with ethical and environmental sustainability principles. Developing and using AI applications can involve high energy consumption and carbon emissions, particularly in deep learning and training large language models, which require substantial computing power. Educational institutions and teachers can contribute to raising “green AI citizens” by emphasising the importance of environmentally friendly AI practices to students.

The Importance of Data Sovereignty and Multi-Stakeholder Participation

Data sovereignty is of great importance today. However, governments and some stakeholders may not fully grasp the rapidly changing dynamics of the economy and society. Therefore, multi-stakeholder participation is necessary to assess the long-term impacts of AI on education and develop policies that meet societal needs. Teachers, students, parents, tech companies, and governments must come together for inclusive discussions and policy dialogues. This process promotes a human-centered approach and contributes to the ethical and effective use of AI in education.

I will present a session titled “AI Unleashed: Redefining the Learning Experience” at the OEB conference on “AI-Driven Learning to Shape the Future of Education”, scheduled for Thursday, November 28, 2024, at 12:00. My presentation will build upon the key insights from UNESCO’s “Digital Learning Week” and emphasise the importance of a holistic approach to AI in education. I aim to explore the transformative potential of AI by connecting global examples, ethical considerations, and the necessity for AI literacy among educators, discussing how to navigate this new dimension responsibly.

Additionally, I will delve into the dimensions of the AI Competency Framework for Teachers, outlining how each aspect contributes to developing educators’ proficiency in AI. By discussing elements such as the human-centered mindset, ethics of AI, AI foundations and applications, AI pedagogy, and AI for professional learning, I will provide a comprehensive overview that empowers teachers to engage with AI confidently. Important considerations for educators when selecting AI applications, such as alignment with learning objectives, student data privacy, and the potential to enhance student engagement and outcomes will be highlighted.

Furthermore, I will emphasise practical strategies for integrating AI into the classroom, including recommendations on tools and resources that can be utilized effectively. By demonstrating how AI can be seamlessly incorporated into existing curricula through backward design, starting with the desired learning outcomes and working backward to select appropriate AI tool, I aim to ensure that technology integration is purposeful and enhances the educational experience rather than detracting from it.

Written for OEB Global 2024 by Dr Işıl Boy Ergül, Founder of TeacherX & ETZ.