Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly commonplace in education. From smart software that can grade essays to predictive analytics that can identify at-risk students, AI is changing the landscape of K12 education. AI can be used in a variety of ways, from helping students to better comprehend abstract concepts to providing personalized feedback. AI can also be used to create virtual classroom environments, and even to create automated grading systems. AI is also being used to help teachers design computer science curriculum and assess student performance. As AI becomes more available, it is likely that it will be used in more and more aspects of K-12 curriculums, making it an important part of the educational landscape.

We know that artificial intelligence (AI) will change the world. But how? It’s so broad, and there are so many ways it could change our lives that it’s hard to know where to start. What does AI mean for your career? Are you ready for the coming wave of automation and what might that mean for your job? And what about artificial intelligence and education?  While some educators are hesitant to embrace this new technology, there are many ways that AI can be used to improve educational outcomes for both students and teachers. This article will cover everything you need to know about Artificial Intelligence for kids in education — from the present state of the AI-driven K12 curriculum to its potential future applications in schools.

 

What is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial intelligence is a broad field that includes computer programming for kids, robotics, and machine learning. AI has been under development since the 1950s and is expected to impact every industry and profession to a certain degree. AI is all about the computer’s ability to act like a human — to think, learn, and make decisions on its own. AI can help us find and organize information, recognize images and sounds, drive cars, and make medical discoveries. Artificial intelligence is the idea that computers can be programmed to act like humans — to think, learn, and make decisions on their own. The term comes from the idea of creating human-like intelligence through computer programming.

 

Artificial Intelligence and Coding for kids

One of the most common misconceptions about AI and coding is that if a program is written with AI, it’s only useful for a narrow set of tasks. This is not the case, however. While the specific ways that AI is used in different industries depend on the field, the fundamentals of AI are universal. AI can be used to build programs that automate a wide variety of tasks — like completing a tax return or automatically grading students’ essays. The key here is that AI systems are used to build programs that adapt to changing situations. A human accountant, for example, cannot easily handle a completely new client’s tax return.

Coding for kids is becoming increasingly popular as the demand for Artificial Intelligence (AI) grows. Teaching kids coding and AI is a great way to get them interested in technology and prepare them for the future. Kids can learn coding fundamentals, which include programming languages such as Python and Java, as well as AI concepts such as machine learning and natural language processing. Coding and AI can be used to create computer programs and apps, and by teaching kids coding and AI, they can learn to use technology to create tools and solve problems.

 

How Does AI Impact K12 Computer science Curriculum?

Bridging the Gap in Education Artificial intelligence is gradually becoming more prevalent in society, with its use cases expanding beyond just face recognition and simple search functions. However, there is still a long way to go before AI can be considered mainstream. One of the key areas where AI can have a major impact is education. There is a huge potential for AI to help personalize learning and make it more engaging for students.

The main advantage of AI in the computer science curriculum is that it is data-driven. Traditional curriculum development is based on expert experience, creativity, and experimentation. AI, on the other hand, uses computers to analyze massive amounts of data, find patterns, and make recommendations for future actions — like what textbooks should be used in certain grades. These recommendations could be based on statistical trends about the popularity of certain subjects or the success of certain teaching methods. Whatever the source of the data, AI can be used to make curriculum development less subjective, more data-driven, and therefore more consistent.

 

Are Students Ready for AI in Education?

Students may not be ready for AI in education, but educators are. The AI Revolution is almost upon us, and while a majority of people are still unaware of its implications, those who are involved in the industry are ready for it. In the United States, many public school systems have already implemented AI-driven programs to help students learn either language or math. These programs can be accessed on a computer, tablet, or phone and keep students engaged with visual and auditory elements.

 

Where Is AI in K12 Curriculum Going?

AI will continue to become more prevalent in K12 education. The AI Revolution is still in its early stages, and we are just beginning to see the ways that AI can be used in the classroom. There are already AI-driven programs for English language learners, for example, and new programs are being developed all the time. As AI continues to grow, we may even see NLP incorporated into language learning programs. This technology would allow programs to understand what students are saying and correct their mistakes — making it easier for students to learn English. We may also see programs that can read and understand entire textbooks and explain concepts to students in plain language.

 

Applications of AI in K12 education

There are various applications of AI and machine learning in the education sector. Some of them are as follows:

1. Online Learning Platforms:

With the help of AI, online learning platforms can personalize the learning experience for each student. AI can track the progress of each student and provide customized content and recommendations based on their needs and abilities.

2. Developing New Courses:

AI can be used to develop new courses by analyzing past data and trends. This will help educational institutions keep up with the latest trends and developments in the field of education.

3. Adaptive Learning:

AI can be used to create adaptive learning platforms that adjust the content and pace of learning based on each individual student’s needs. This will help students learn at their own pace and improve their understanding of the concepts.

4. Chatbots:

Chatbots can be used to provide 24/7 support for students and parents. They can answer queries related to academics, career guidance, etc.

5. Predictive Analytics:

Predictive analytics can be used to identify at-risk students and help educators intervene early. This will help reduce dropout rates and improve student outcomes.

6. Digital Tutors:

Digital tutors can provide one-on-one or small-group instruction to students. They can also assess the progress of each student and provide feedback.

 

Need for AI and Machine Learning in Education

AI and machine learning are being adopted in the education sector. One of the main reasons is that these technologies have the potential to personalize learning for each individual student.

There are a number of reasons why AI and machine learning need to be integrated into education.

• Every student is different and has different learning needs. AI and machine learning can help cater to these individual needs and help each student learn at their own pace. AI and machine learning can help personalize the learning experience for each student. For eg. AI can be used to track the progress of each student and identify areas where they need improvement.
• AI and machine learning can help reduce the workload of teachers. For example, ML algorithms can analyze data from assessments and classroom observations to provide educators with real-time feedback about their student’s progress and areas where they may need extra support.
• AI and machine learning can help identify and address the unique needs of each student. For example, AI can also be used to create customized lesson plans for each student based on their unique needs and abilities.
• AI and machine learning can help make the education sector more efficient and effective.

Challenges of AI in Education

Despite the many benefits, there are also some challenges associated with the use of AI in education. Some of these challenges are as follows:

1. Lack of trained personnel:

There is a lack of trained personnel who can develop and operate AI applications in education. This is a major challenge that needs to be addressed before AI can be widely adopted in the education sector.

2. Cost:

Another challenge is the cost of implementing AI applications in education. AI-based systems can be costly to develop and maintain. This is a major barrier for many educational institutions, especially those in developing countries.

3. Security and privacy concerns :

There are also security and privacy concerns associated with the use of AI in education. These systems collect a lot of data about students, which raises concerns about how this data will be used and who will have access to it.

4. Ethical concerns:

There are also ethical concerns associated with the use of AI in education. For example, there is a concern that AI-based systems may reinforce existing biases and prejudices. SkoolofCode includes AI ethics also in the course “Game Controls with AI and ML” so that our students are aware of potential concerns.

Despite the challenges, there is no doubt that AI can revolutionize the education sector. It has the potential to personalize the learning experience for each student and make the education sector more efficient and effective. However, these benefits can only be realized if the challenges are addressed effectively.

How SkoolOfCode is using AI in K12 curriculum

The inclusion of artificial intelligence in the K12 middle school curriculum is still in its infancy. In order to give students a better knowledge of how to use and create AI-based technology, SkoolOfCode is incorporating AI into its STEM-based holistic K–12 curriculum.

Fundamental technologies which we use in our daily life like machine learning, natural language processing, and facial recognition, as well as pose recognition, are made simple using real-life examples. Additionally, our students learn the concepts utilizing entertaining and stimulating methods and project-based learning. For example, students can learn about the underlying technologies that power chatbots while creating their own chatbots. To build future-ready creators, we at SkoolOfCode believe in a holistic STEM-based coding curriculum that is personalized to fit the needs of each student. So, why wait and Book a FREE trial class today?

Conclusion

Artificial intelligence is often portrayed as a doomsday scenario — robots taking over the world and enslaving humanity. While AI can certainly be put to malicious use, the reality is that it will also make our lives easier and more efficient. AI in the K12 curriculum will help students learn more and improve their critical thinking skills. And, while AI will disrupt K12 education, it also has the potential to make it better — especially for students who struggle to keep up with the pace of traditional schooling.

 

By –Dr. Kadam Bhambari, an Educator at SkoolofCode with Ph.D. and MTech in Electronics. She is an expert in Microbit, Arduino, and Artificial intelligence.