This blog post contains insights from the Tech and Learning: Can They Vibe? Panel discussion that took place on Wednesday, January 22nd, 2025 with featured panelists: Randi Weingarten (President, America Federation of Teachers), Amit Sevak (CEO, ETS), Sherrie Westin (CEO, Sesame Workshop), Tania Bryer (Anchor, CNBC), and Joseph Nsengimana (Ministry of Education of Rwanda).
Introduction
In the face of the polycrisis , digital technology stands as a key to ensuring education remains a universal, accessible right. As artificial intelligence (AI) evolves, it is proving the capacity to replicate human-like cognitive functions, such as learning, problem-solving, and decision-making. These capabilities are causing concern for AI becoming a replacement, rather than supplemental to education. Luckily, many organizations are getting ahead of the curve. For instance, the OECD recently launched its Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Skills project to help assess the capabilities of emerging technologies and their potential impact on both education and the workforce through a multidisciplinary approach.
Education and technology are interlinked. Both enable the creation of new ideas, leading to digital transformation and improvements in the education system. The potential of AI, VR, and personalized platforms classroom integration spans streamlining administrative tasks, enhancing efficiency, to dedicating focus on student-centered activities. Although it may streamline processes for most, it is limited by socioeconomic barriers such as access to devices, internet connectivity, and infrastructure. According to Stats Canada, only 62% of canadian students living in rural areas have access to technology, leaving 38% without. This is not a gap AI on its own can bridge.
If institutions start investing in affordable tools, reliable internet access, and teacher training, we can make that shift to a more equitable future. In addition, collaboration between educators, policymakers, and tech innovators are essential to addressing systemic barriers and creating solutions that empower all learners. Technology can become a force for closing education gaps rather than widening them.
Access and Equity in Education
Ensuring equitable access to education through technology, requires more than just deploying devices or expanding internet connectivity. Governments and Institutions must make substantial investments to address these existing divides. Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada (ISED’s) Connectivity Strategy for Canada, has three pillars: high-speed access for all, investing for Impact, and partnering for progress that will be used to hopefully connect more than 900 communities across Canada. It leverages a range of tools so that all rural and remote communities can fully participate in the global economy and society.
A case study we can learn from is Rwanda. Significant strides have been made to enhance school connectivity. As of now, 62% of basic education schools in Rwanda are connected to the internet. As of April, they hope to reach 83% connectedness. This progress demonstrates the critical role technology plays in expanding access to education. Especially in underserved communities.
However, as Joseph Nsengimana, Minister of Education of Rwanda, highlighted there is an important distinction between coverage and actual access. Although ICT (Information and Communication Technology) coverage is high, the actual usage remains low. Bridging the gap between coverage and practical use is an on-going challenge that needs to be addressed to fully realize the potential of technology in education.
Balancing Technology with Human Interaction
There is a critical need to balance technological advancements and human interaction. Although AI can offer valuable support, we still need human-centered approaches to foster meaningful relations with their teacher, friends, and school community. Human-skills like critical thinking, collaborating, and problem-solving must be developed alongside digital literacy. Skills that could be replaced by AI, if we don’t work with it.
Collaborative platforms such as Google Workspace for Education that pairs students up with teacher-led group discussions or in-person brainstorming sessions ensures students build teamwork skills and emotional intelligence alongside their digital literacy. Other examples include Leader in Me and Design Thinking Labs within schools (places where students can apply design thinking to create solutions to local problems), where students collaboratively solve real-world problems, demonstrating how technology can be used as a supplement rather than a replacement. Thus, preserving the importance of human-centred learning.
Re-Imaging Assessment in Education
- Project-based Learning: Traditional methods of testing in education, like rote memorization and standardized testing are rapidly becoming obsolete in the age of digital transformation. Instead, AI-enabled dynamic assessments offer real-time feedback and adapt to the individual needs of the learner. This aligns with Randi Weingarten’s call for project-based learning, where students engage in meaningful, hands-on projects to develop critical skills such as collaboration and problem solving.
- The U15: Leading the Way in Assessment Innovation: The U15, Canada’s leading research-intensive universities that exemplify how technology can revolutionize assessment practices in education. Member institutions are pioneering AI-powered tools to evaluate learning outcomes dynamically and inclusively. For instance, University of Alberta uses AI-based assessment tools (such as Qualtrics and Canvas) to provide instant feedback to both students and professors. This fosters an iterative learning process tailored to the individual's preferences.
AI in Education: Can AI Deliver Personalized, Effective Learning?
Yes, AI has the potential to deliver personalized, effective learning. With it, teachers can tailor educational content to the individual's needs, provide personalized feedback, and even adjust learning paths based on real-time data. This can help students learn at their own pace, receive targeted support, and improve their overall outcomes. An example of this is with Knowledgehook, an interactive math assessment tool for grade school kids (k-12). Teachers and students are able to create their own tests and assessments. These assessments are interactive and can provide feedback to students in almost an instant.
Although AI can enhance education with programs like Knowledgehook, if not trained on the correct type of data (clean and relevant data), it has the potential to reinforce biases or exacerbate inequalities. AI systems may unintentionally reinforce those disparities by providing less support or opportunities for marginalized students. Thus, leading to unequal educational outcomes and even widen the achievement gap. This is where ethics comes into play.
To address this, programs like CIFAR’s Pan-Canadian Artificial Intelligence Strategy explores the impacts of AI in education and ensures the responsible and ethical deployment in classrooms and organizations. Moreover, educators remain essential in fostering human-skills such as creativity and social skills–areas where AI cannot fully replicate the sentient of human interaction.
Conclusion: The Path Forward
The intersection of technology and education presents a promising opportunity to foster innovation and equity. However, for technology to truly complement learning, it must be approached thoughtfully. As discussed at the World Economic Forum, we cannot afford to view technology as a simple fix for the world’s educational challenges. Rather, it must be integrated into a holistic system that values human-centred learning.
Technology and learning can indeed vibe – if the right balance is struck, that is. We as citizens must ensure that we use these emerging technologies like AI to enhance education. At the same time, we must protect fundamental, human-skills that will equip students for success in our technology-advanced world. As we move forward, the goal must be to build an educational system that is not only innovative but equitable. This will ensure that all students have access to the tools and support they need to thrive in the 21st century.
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