Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been used in education for a while now.
It’s also growing at an exponential rate as investors flock to put their money into the sector-specific technology. The global AI in education market size was valued at USD 1.82 billion back in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 36.0% from 2022 to 2030.
Maybe you aren’t even aware that your school or your kid’s school uses AI. It’s not science fiction, but very much a reality for all of Generation Alpha.
Have you asked the school or college you or your kid attends if and how they use AI?
Here are some AI in Education examples that may surprise you with the benefits AI can have in schools.
What Are The Best AI in Education Examples?
1. AI-Powered Language Learning Tools
I’m not big on my kids having screen time during the week.
The one thing I let my two older kids do every day is Duolingo.
Language education via Duolingo is a game…It’s fun.
My kids look forward to their time ‘playing’ every day. In six months of using Duolingo’s AI technology every day, my kids now understand and speak the basics, they have a wide vocabulary of food, animals, and physical descriptions.
Listen, I ain’t the only one. Duolingo has a whopping 500 million users worldwide which to me is no surprise.
Studies show Duolingo users learn languages 5x faster than traditional methods, highlighting the effectiveness of its AI-powered approach.
Real-world applications
- Professionals use the platform for international business interactions.
- Tourists and travelers use Duolingo to get around and connect with locals in their country of choice.
- A joint study by Baycrest and York Universities shows that older adults studying a second language keep their minds sharp and functioning well.
- Teachers use Duolingo to support their language learning in school.
2. Intelligent Tutoring Systems
There are plenty of AI-powered Intelligent Tutoring Systems popping up all the time.
It makes total sense because with AI, everyone can have a personal tutor.
If you watched the Ted talk by Sal Kahn at the top of this page, you’ll understand how if struggling kids were given 1:1 tutoring, they would be able to outperform the ‘average’ kids in the class.
We are getting to that place where this could be a reality. Where all kids have 1:1 tutoring that is personalized to them.
One example is ALEKS, an AI learning and assessment system for Math, Chemistry, Statistics, and Accounting.
The personalized learning coach constantly adapts to each student’s unique needs and helps them excel in every subject. Its success is evident in the number of users which currently stands at 25 million students worldwide.
3. Adaptive Learning Platform
Adaptive learning platform is educational technology that tailors learning experiences to meet the individual needs of each student.
As Knewton Alta uses AI algorithms to offer the perfect lesson for each student, this notion of tailored experiences extends beyond the classroom.
AI allows personalized learning experiences similar to customization technologies that revolutionize other fields, such as sports. Custom football uniforms can be tailored to team and individual preferences.
This demonstrates how the principles of AI-driven customization are applicable in diverse areas, enhancing not just educational outcomes but also personalizing sports gear to better fit the needs and preferences of athletes
Alta analyzes student responses, adjusts instruction, and scales difficulty to cater to each individual. By filling knowledge gaps and customizing the learning journey, the platform has the potential to bring out the best in everyone. Similarly, self-improvement apps also focus on personal growth, helping people improve in their own unique ways.
Over 40 million students globally have experienced the benefits of Knewton-powered courses, a testament to how brilliant (and necessary) adaptive learning platforms are for education systems.
In practical terms, Knewton Alta has supported 87% of students to ace their assignments, and those who struggled at first improved by 38% in GPA.
Students using Knewton Alta do consistently well with quiz scores averaging 88% vs 55% for those who don’t use the platform.
4. Automated Grading Systems
Surveys show that teachers spend an average of 5 hours per week grading. Automated grading systems are reducing the administrative burden in a big way.
Gradescope streamlines the grading process by accepting various formats of student submissions, including scanned documents, typed answers, and photographs.
The platform efficiently assesses student work using customized feedback so that students receive clear, constructive feedback.
The impact of such systems is far-reaching, with Gradescope alone having graded over 700 million questions serving more than 140,000 teachers. Wide adoption shows how effective it is at reducing teacher workload and giving useful feedback to students.
Highlighting its transformative impact, Armando Fox, a professor at the University of California Berkeley, praises Gradescope: “Gradescope has revolutionized how instructors grade. I don’t use that word a lot, but once you’ve used this tool, there’s no going back.”
5. Virtual Learning Environments
Coursera, a leading online learning platform, shows how powerful virtual learning can be.
The platform levels the playing field by offering comprehensive courses from top universities and companies.
Coursera enables learners worldwide to acquire new skills, earn certificates, and even complete degrees across various subjects. This platform is a melting pot of global learners, representing over 200 countries, facilitated by collaborations with esteemed institutions like Yale and Google.
77% of its users report significant career benefits such as skill enhancement, increased pay, or new job opportunities. By supplementing traditional classroom lectures with dynamic online courses, Coursera allows teachers to supplement their classes with more in-depth tutorials given by experts.
Real-world examples highlight Coursera’s effectiveness.
In Basalt, Colorado, Richard Rosenfeld, the founder of Two Leaves and a Bud Tea Company, leveraged Coursera to gain essential business skills in a region with limited professional education resources. His discovery of Coursera equipped both him and his team with the necessary expertise to steer their company toward success.
Tri Suseno, an Australian entrepreneur, also struggled with his business. He used Coursera’s Introduction to Operations Management course offered by the Wharton School to save his business.
Coursera provides accessible, high-quality education, bridging geographical gaps, and empowering individuals and businesses with the tools for success.
6. AI in Special Education
AI is pushing the door wide open for individuals with special needs.
As mentioned above, AI is incredible at offering personalized education and this is where it is perfect for children and adults with special needs to overcome educational barriers in innovative ways. By adapting to each child’s unique learning style and pace, these apps are pivotal in fostering an inclusive and supportive educational environment.
Proloquo2Go is designed for non-verbal individuals.
If you can talk and are blessed not to face this challenge, the scale of Proloquo2Go’s adoption is astounding. It has over 500,000 downloads across 140 countries.
Proloquo2Go stands out with its vast library of over 27,000 symbols which allows users to communicate effectively. It uses easily recognizable images to help either talking or signing, making it an essential tool in special education.
The app aids children with Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) needs and enables them to express their thoughts and feelings so they can connect with the world around them in meaningful ways.
The success of Proloquo2Go underscores the significant role of AI in enhancing the learning and communication experience for children with special needs, paving the way for more inclusive educational practices.
7. AI for Classroom Management
AI-driven platforms are increasingly being used to foster better communication and community among teachers, students, and families. These tools are instrumental in creating a more engaged and positive educational environment, catering to the diverse needs of the modern classroom.
ClassDojo is a free online platform that epitomizes the effective use of AI in classroom management.
It provides a dynamic space where teachers can share photos, videos, and messages with students and teachers.
Its impact is global, with a network that includes over 50 million teachers, students, and families worldwide. The platform’s widespread adoption is a testament to its effectiveness and appeal. It is used actively in 95% of all K-8 schools in the United States alone. ClassDojo has become a daily tool for 1 in 6 US families with children under 14, integrating seamlessly into their educational routines.
ClassDojo’s success story in classroom management illustrates the profound potential of AI to create more collaborative, interactive, and well-managed educational environments.
FAQs
How Can AI be Used in Education?
AI can personalize learning experiences, assist in automating administrative tasks for teachers, and analyze data to provide insights into student performance.
What Are the Benefits of AI in Education?
AI in education:
- Enables students to learn at their own pace and style.
- Enhances efficiency in teaching by automating routine tasks, giving educators more time to focus on interactive teaching.
- Brings scalability to education, making quality learning resources accessible to a wider audience.
- AI-driven data analysis helps in identifying trends and gaps in the learning process, facilitating more effective curriculum development.
- For students with special needs, AI provides tailored educational aids, ensuring inclusivity in education.
Summary
Throughout this article, I’ve shown many AI in education examples plus case studies, demonstrating a clear picture of AI’s role in modern learning environments.
From enhancing student engagement to streamlining administrative processes, these real-world applications of AI demonstrate its value in educational settings.
This is just the start of how AI is changing education.
