Research conducted at Harvard University has shown that a well-designed AI tutor can significantly increase students’ engagement in teaching complex subjects. The study used an AI tutor that was specially adapted for physical courses, which yielded surprising results.
Harvard professor Eric Mazur led a team that implemented artificial intelligence in physics teaching. The AI tutor was designed to be interactive and personalized, adapting it to the individual needs of students. Thanks to this personalization, students understood better physical concepts, which was reflected in an increase in their interest and engagement. The results showed that student engagement has doubled thanks to the AI tutor, a significant step towards innovation in the learning process.
AI tutors: a new learning model?
The personalized approach of the AI tutor allows you to create customized curricula for individual students, solving the problem of different learning speeds. This learning model emphasizes students’ strengths and weaknesses, allowing for more effective learning. As a result, students have a better understanding of complex concepts and are more motivated, leading to better academic outcomes.
Professor Gregory Kestin points out that although artificial intelligence can speed up the learning process, it can also weaken it if we are not careful. Stresses that AI tools should not ‘think’ instead of students, but should help them develop critical thinking. According to him, AI tutors should not replace face-to-face teaching, but rather contribute to making students better prepared for teaching – perhaps in an even more engaging way than ever before.
AI tools for Slovak students and teachers
The use of large language models such as ChatGPT, Geminy, Claude and others is gradually expanding also among students and teachers in Slovakia. One of the shortcomings of these models is that their answer may not be the same as how the knowledge is taught in Slovakia, or in some cases they may also provide the wrong answer.
The Hálova SPŠE solved this problem by using the tellmee application. This allows teachers to upload educational materials that are processed and accessible to pupils as verified sources of information. Pupils can assign tasks to the application to better understand these materials and the application will provide them with quick and reliable answers. The app also makes it easier for teachers to prepare for teaching, saving time and increasing learning efficiency.
One of the tools that could bring similar benefits to Slovakia in the future is Khanmingo. Developed by Khan Academy, this tool is an AI-powered tutor that promotes learning through interaction and instant feedback. His algorithms allow to track the student’s progress and adapt to his individual needs. Khanmigo can help with almost any academic subject, including mathematics, natural sciences, coding, history, and the humanities. Khanmigo is based on ChatGPT technology, but it doesn’t just give answers. Instead, with unlimited patience, he guides students to find the answer themselves. However, it is not yet accessible to our region, but the number of countries is gradually expanding.
The Khan Academy, an alternative?
However, students and teachers can use other educational applications of Khan Academy. These are worth using because they provide personalized learning, where students can study at their own pace and gradually improve their knowledge. They have proven and trustworthy content created by experts covering a variety of subjects such as mathematics and science, and are free for both students and teachers. They offer tools to help teachers identify gaps in students’ understanding, adapt teaching and meet each student’s needs.
Khan Academy was founded in 2008 by Salman Khan, who holds a degree from MIT and an MBA from Harvard Business School. It is a non-profit educational platform supported by reputable institutions such as the Gates Foundation, Google and many others. It is recognized by academics and educational institutions for the effective use of technology in education.
Research from Harvard suggests that introducing AI tools into teaching can significantly improve the learning process. However, it is important to use them judiciously to serve as learning support and not as a means of solving all tasks effortlessly for students, which could undermine their own learning process.
Source: European Digital Skills & Jobs Platform
