Can AI in Education Improve Students’ Attainment?

Education is changing faster than ever, and artificial intelligence (AI) is at the centre of that shift. What was once seen as futuristic is now a daily reality, sparking debate among teachers, students, and education leaders. Some welcome it as a chance to improve learning and reduce workloads, while others worry about its risks and unanswered questions.

The reality is that AI is neither all good nor all bad. It’s a developing tool with enormous potential to reshape how we teach and learn. Used carefully, it could support teachers, personalise education for students, and provide practical solutions to long-standing challenges in schools. The key lies in understanding both its benefits and its limitations, and deciding how best to put it to work in education.

What is the main role of AI in education?

Artificial intelligence is a dynamic tool, constantly evolving to better meet the needs of its users. In a way, it’s like starting a conversation with a stranger, gradually revealing its subtleties, then adapting harmoniously to its nuances. This analogy concisely sums up one of the main roles of AI in education, one that is likely to change the landscape of learning.

Through machine learning, AI dives deep into the understanding of the student using it, with the aim of decoding their learning patterns, spotting areas of difficulty and unearthing strengths. In doing so, AI designs tailor-made solutions, personalised for each individual. It’s a process designed to ensure that education is not simply a one-size-fits-all affair, but rather a bespoke journey that meets the unique needs and embraces the potential of AI. learning styles of each student.

This involves a multitude of adjustments, whether by adjusting the pace of lessons, varying levels of difficulty or fine-tuning the mode of instruction, all calibrated to be in line with students’ performance indicators and levels of understanding. In this way, students are constantly engaged, motivated and on an upward trajectory of progress, with the aid of AI tools.

Ultimately, AI’s main role in education goes beyond simple personalisation, unlocking the true potential of AI for adaptive learning. It’s about fostering inclusivity. By presenting vital information in digestible formats, AI in education strives to democratise access to education, ensuring that every student, regardless of background or situation, has an equal chance of success.

Can AI in education replace teachers?

No, AI cannot replace teachers. While artificial intelligence can support learning through personalisation, efficiency, and data-driven insights, it cannot replicate the uniquely human qualities that teachers bring to education. As highlighted by government guidance, the role of teachers remains central to students’ academic and personal success.

Teachers build trust, empathy and meaningful relationships with their students. They adapt in real time to individual needs, provide emotional support, and create a classroom where learners feel valued. Beyond sharing knowledge, teachers encourage creativity and critical thinking, helping students develop their own perspectives. They also serve as role models, guiding young people with integrity, responsibility and respect.

AI is best viewed as a powerful tool to enhance teaching, while teachers continue to inspire, support and shape the next generation.

AI in education can help teachers save time

Although artificial intelligence is still a tool that we are learning to understand, we can already imagine, even glimpse, ways in which AI in education could improve the daily lives of teachers by helping to save them time. It is conceivable that artificial intelligence can significantly help teachers save time by automating routine tasks, allowing them to focus more on meaningful interactions with students.

For example, predefined, AI-powered marking systems can efficiently assess homework, quizzes and exams, providing instant feedback to students while relieving teachers of the tedious task of manual marking. In addition, AI algorithms can analyse student performance data to identify areas where individual students or groups of students may need additional support, enabling teachers to tailor their instruction more effectively.

AI in education can help school teachers develop engaging and personalised teaching materials. By generating lesson plans tailored to specific learning objectives and student needs, AI helps teachers free up valuable time. By using AI in content creation, teachers can access a wide range of teaching materials and adapt them to their teaching style and curriculum requirements efficiently.

Finally, and although it may still seem impossible, we could imagine AI in education as a tool to help facilitate communication with parents. This could be done through chatbots that manage appointments or provide general information. In this way, teachers would only have to concentrate on more complicated issues that require human intervention, thanks to the use of artificial intelligence in education.

Eventually, by helping teachers to save time that they can then devote to helping their students, it is fair to start thinking that AI in education contributes, if only a little, to the students’ academic attainment.

Educate people about AI

Despite all the advantages that artificial intelligence seems likely to bring to the world of education, it is important, once again, to stress that AI is still only a tool that we are still trying to understand. To avoid it being misused or used in a non-productive way, thus blocking pupils’ progress, for example, it is important to educate pupils and teachers on the subject of artificial intelligence.

It is important to make students understand that although the information given seems true, usually because it is well presented, which inspires confidence, it still needs to be checked. The fact is that it does not always turn out to be correct. By understanding the basics of AI algorithms, users can better discern credible information from misleading online content, while developing a critical mindset in the face of potential biases in the algorithms.

Plagiarism is also a potential risk that should be acknowledged. It is important to bear in mind that the information provided by the IA is in reality no more than a digest of information found all over the internet, highlighting the need for critical evaluation in the education sector. It is therefore important to emphasise the ethical imperative of giving credit to original sources and respecting intellectual property rights in the digital age. This AI education not only cultivates a culture of academic honesty, but also equips students with the skills to navigate the ethical complexities of content creation and attribution.

Student Planners to spread awareness about AI

The introduction of customisable student planners dedicated to artificial intelligence offers a robust solution for raising students’ awareness of the associated risks. They serve as a practical tool to ensure that students always have relevant information at their fingertips.

Sections of these planners can cover a wide range of topics related to AI, from its fundamental definition and how it works to its pervasive influence on various aspects of our daily lives. By breaking down complex concepts into digestible segments, students can grasp the essence of AI and its significance in contemporary society. By engaging with these resources, students are encouraged to think critically, assess the diverse impacts of AI technologies on individuals, and make confident decisions.

In doing so, they can make a significant contribution to shaping the future of technology and society in a responsible and ethical manner by leveraging AI tools.