COVID-19 is a huge key trend that has affected the world and daily life. One main area that has been affected and is trying to adapt is education. A large number of schools remain shut down while others are have attempted to reopen only to close again. The only way schools have been able to operate is through remote learning. However, not many schools were equipped and prepared to make this transition and their adaption to this process has been slower. Lukman Ramsey, the author of the article “ Improving Student Sucess with Machine Learning”, describes how “In the COVID-19 era, new AI and machine-learning-based student success tools, such as the one we’ve created at Google, are becoming the engines for student success and lifelong campus and student communities.”
Whether we are in a pandemic or not, there will always be roadblocks to student success. Lukman describes student success as “mastery in the field of study” and the expectation that knowledge is only acquired from the “experts” at different institutions like colleges or universities. But what happens when students cannot meet with their instructors or “experts”, does that mean their chance of success lowers? Should it be lowered because students have to go to work or attend to family responsibilities? Lukman questions the success that could be achieved if “students were provided with support 24/7, could spend more time with their advisors, and could have access to expert knowledge guided by intelligent technology tools.” Well, this is becoming a reality with technology.
The remaining information in the article goes on to describe how data, if analyzed and manipulated correctly, could solve many roadblocks in the path of student success. The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in almost any field is growing. AI is creating new ways to view and understand things that have been the same for years. Think about what Lukman is saying in this article, by creating tools powered by AI it changes the game. These tools have the capability to learn from students through machine learning and adapt to them. These tools will also help instructors understand the strengths and weaknesses of each student so they are better equipped to help them. In a COVID era, as Lukman described it, these tools could be the things we need to help students keep up with their education remotely. There are several forces that are making an impact here: Pandemic, Artificial Intelligence, Education, and Teachers/Institutions.
References:
Ramsey, L. Improving Student Success with Machine Learning. EDUCAUSE Review. https://er.educause.edu/blogs/sponsored/2020/9/improving-student-success-with-machine-learning.
2020 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report: Teaching and Learning Edition. 2020 EDUCAUSE Horizon Report™ | Teaching and Learning Edition. (2020, March 2). https://library.educause.edu/resources/2020/3/2020-educause-horizon-report-teaching-and-learning-edition.
Kevin Tepas 