OECD Webinar: Effectively Using AI in Education

Introduction

• Host: Duncan Crawford
• Topic: Using AI in classrooms to improve learning outcomes.
• Current Situation: Limited guidelines for AI use in classrooms worldwide.
• Panelists:
  • Punya Mishra: Director of Innovative Learning Futures, Arizona State University.
  • Mahamati Sharma: Founder, Nonprofit Workshop for Me, Luxembourg.
  • Samo Varsic: OECD Policy Analyst - Education for Inclusive Societies.

Overview by Samo Varsic

• Research Paper: "Potential Impact of AI on Equity and Inclusion in Education."
• Key Questions:
  1. What AI tools are becoming prevalent in classrooms?
  2. What should policymakers consider regarding AI's impact on equity and inclusion?
• AI Tool Categories:
  • Learner-centered tools
  • Teacher-led tools
  • Institutional tools
• Focus: Teacher-led tools
  • AI-powered robots for autism support
  • AI for curating learning materials
  • AI in grading and identifying special education needs
  • AI coaches
• Challenges:
  • Cost concerns
  • Balancing educational and company objectives
  • Equiping educators with appropriate knowledge
  • Addressing bias, privacy, and accountability issues

Panel Discussion Highlights

Punya Mishra

• ASU's Approach: Partnered with OpenAI, created a secure "walled garden" for AI use.
• AI Applications in Education:
  • Used in qualitative research and instructional tools
  • Seen as a cognitive partner, not a truth-teller
  • Emphasizes the importance of recognizing AI's limitations

Mahamati Sharma

• AI in Education Initiatives:
  • EU AI squad report with practical tips for teachers
  • AI can be used to teach about AI, use AI, and develop with AI
• Teaching AI:
  • Use tools like DALL-E for image generation
  • Introduce coding through AI tools like chatbots
• Analogy: AI is like a knife; its impact depends on its use.

Samo Varsic

• Teacher Usage:
  • Varied AI usage amongst teachers
  • Limited international data on AI tool usage in classrooms
• Considerations: Privacy and student safety must be priorities.

Insights & Recommendations

Effective Use of AI

• Creativity & Learning: AI can enhance creativity if used correctly.
• Teachers’ Role: Need to evaluate AI's role and use it as a cognitive partner.

Addressing Bias

• AI tools can perpetuate biases based on data sources.
• Importance of critical evaluation of AI responses.

Special Educational Needs

• AI can help personalize learning and assess individual needs.
• Tools available for converting speech-to-text to aid writing challenges.

Policy and Training

• Policy Recommendations:
  • Provide professional learning about AI for teachers.
  • Develop guidelines for AI tool usage in education.
• Resources:
  • Governments need to create frameworks for safe AI integration.
  • Teacher-training programs should include AI training.

Conclusion

• Final Thoughts:
  • Embrace AI opportunities while being mindful of challenges.
  • Develop a balanced approach that empowers teacher agency.

Additional Resources

• OECD Report: Upcoming on AI's impact on equity and inclusion in education.
• Further Reading: Links and additional material shared during the webinar.