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Prisma is the world’s most engaging virtual school that combines a fun, real-world curriculum with powerful mentorship from experienced coaches and a supportive peer community
-Arthur C. Clarke’s three adages on the future
A pop song sung by A.I.-generated versions of Drake and the Weeknd blew up on social media — before being removed by streaming services.
The Republican National Committee released an A.I.-generated ad criticizing President Biden.
ChatGPT can now correctly answer questions from the LSAT, and some say it may be on the way to replacing lawyers, doctors, therapists, and customer service representatives.
And all of these developments have happened within a matter of months.
As artificial intelligence (AI) advancements continue to reshape various aspects of our lives, the education sector is no exception. As an innovative virtual school, Prisma has been investigating how artificial intelligence may impact the education industry as a whole, and the learning experience of our individual learners.
AI tools are potential game-changers in revolutionizing how we teach and learn. This post explores the role of AI in education, its short-term and long-term impact, and provides AI lesson plan ideas for learners of all ages.
Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems capable of performing tasks typically requiring human intelligence. These tasks may include problem-solving, learning, planning, understanding natural language, recognizing patterns, and more.
AI technology has made significant strides in recent years, enabling machines to learn and adapt to new information, making them increasingly interactive and capable of assisting in various areas, including education.
Generative AI is a type of artificial intelligence that is capable of creating new data or content that is similar to human-created content. This new technology uses machine learning algorithms and neural networks trained to analyze and understand patterns in existing data, and generate new content that closely resembles the original data.
This technology has found applications in numerous fields, such as art, music, and writing, with popular AI tools like OpenAI's ChatGPT.
AI technology has the potential to transform education through personalized learning, improved student engagement, and reduced workload for educators. The growth of AI in edtech has led to the development of tools that can assist teachers in lesson planning, grading, and identifying students' strengths and weaknesses.
However, there are concerns about AI's impact on education, such as the risk of over-reliance on technology, plagiarism, decline in writing & critical thinking skills, potential biases in AI algorithms, and data privacy issues.
While AI can offer students a more interactive and engaging learning experience, it is crucial to carefully consider and address these concerns to ensure a balanced and effective integration of AI in education.
Generative AI tools are already changing the education and education technology fields in the following ways:
Here are some AI tools for teachers that may help reduce workload:
The future of AI is uncertain. In just the past year, the pace of advancements has been so fast that many people are concerned that society has not adequately prepared for how AI will transform our institutions, industries, and day-to-day lives. Similar to the development of the Internet in the 90s, we know this new technology will majorly transform the world, but we can only make predictions as to how.
In the long term, generative AI tools may have the potential to reshape the education system by:
Although some school districts have banned AI in fear of plagiarism and a reduction in critical thinking, at Prisma, we believe this approach is unwise. Similarly to the introduction of the calculator as it relates to math instruction, we believe that artificial intelligence is a tool that shouldn’t be ignored, even if it isn’t appropriate for students to use all the time. Students will be experimenting with AI tools on their own time regardless, so we believe it’s better for schools to take on the responsibility of teaching learners when and how to use these tools.
If you're a parent, in addition to the suggestions below, we recommend checking out this article on ways to experiment with AI at home.
Here are the best practices we recommend for teachers and school leaders:
Your starting place for developing AI lesson plans will depend on your subject area and the age of your learners. Here are a few ideas to get you going, broken out by learner age.
As artificial intelligence continues to advance, its role in education will only become more significant. Generative AI tools have the potential to revolutionize education by providing personalized learning experiences, enhancing student engagement, and supporting teachers in their creative and professional development.
By incorporating AI lesson plans and tools across various age groups, educators can prepare students for a future driven by AI technology and ensure they develop the skills needed to thrive in the 21st century.
Want to learn more about how Prisma can empower your child to thrive?
Talk with usTalk with usMiddle School Curriculum Designer Lizzie uses her diverse experiences: studying Literature at Harvard, leading outdoor adventure expeditions, and teaching high school English, to help Prisma learners find their voices.
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