This informal CPD article, ‘How to apply AI language modelling in online classrooms for young learners’ was provided by Novakid, an international community of young English learners, designed to boost English learning at schools by giving kids a safe place for real-life English practice with other kids and teachers from all over the world.
Many educators around the world initially shunned large language models (LLMs) like OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Google Bard and Microsoft Bing Chat, fearing that the artificial intelligence (AI)-based technology would prompt cheating, stifle critical thinking and displace the human role in teaching. However, as the technology has become more pervasive in consumer and business software, teachers are increasingly realizing that this advanced technology can enhance education rather than impair it.
Educators are now using LLMs to transform the teaching and learning experience, streamline administration, support students with greater individualization and assess learners continually to achieve better outcomes.
A survey of 1,002 K-12 teachers commissioned by the Walton Family Foundation in the US illustrates this growing popularity. The research found that 51% of the teachers surveyed had used ChatGPT, with 40% using it at least once a week.
Augmenting the educator role
AI can be seen as a partner to a teacher, rather than a standalone product. AI can serve as a co-pilot for a teacher, helping them create engaging and personalized lessons to streamline learning and enhance the experience for students.
These applications are already showing impressive results when used to support speaking, communication and creativity, prompting students to speak twice as much as they did before. Intelligent tutoring systems and adaptive learning algorithms or chatbots can address industry challenges such as increasing costs and the need to broaden language diversity for more inclusive lessons. Furthermore, integrating AI-based tasks into the ESL and K-12 curriculum for children can lower the cost of content production and improve efficiency.
Importantly, as more edtech providers integrate AI into their solutions, educators will need to embrace these tools to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving global market.