In response to the UK Government’s announcement of a £4m investment to use AI to assist teachers in marking work and planning lessons, some have raised concerns about potential negative impacts, including fears of the decline of the role of the teacher and forecasts of a bleak future, reducing the role of teachers and diminishing the human element.
We know, from seeing how AI has been implemented across the globe that these fears are largely unfounded and that AI can enhance, rather than diminish, the educational experience, benefiting both teachers and students alike.
One of the key benefits of AI in education is its ability to manage routine tasks, such as grading and administrative work. This not only reduces the burden on teachers but also allows them to spend more time on tasks that require human insight and creativity. AI tools can quickly and efficiently mark assignments, freeing teachers to engage more deeply with their students, both individually and collectively.
Patrick Coates, eAA CEO highlights some of the projects from the winners and finalists of the e-Assessment Association’s 2024 International e-Assessment Awards which demonstrate how AI has been used to enhance learning and assessment.
“The project by the Education Quality and Accountability Office (EQAO) in Ontario, Canada demonstrates how AI-driven tools can positively impact education. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and new curriculum demands, EQAO transformed its provincial large-scale assessments, creating a digital assessment model that offers an engaging and accessible experience for all students. The success of this transformation lies not just in its use of technology, but in the way it supports teachers with timely, meaningful data. This enables educators to make informed decisions about instruction and professional development, particularly in subjects like mathematics, where detailed reports help identify areas where students may be struggling.
“Similarly, the British Council’s Primary English Test, which won the Best Summative Assessment Project Award, illustrates how AI can enhance the assessment process. This digitally-delivered test for students learning English as a foreign language incorporates advanced AI technologies, such as automatic speech recognition and scoring systems, to provide instant feedback and detailed scoring reports. The use of AI here does not diminish the role of the teacher but enhances it by providing tools that help teachers better understand and support their students’ learning journeys.
“Furthermore, the BCS Chartered Institute for IT’s use of generative AI to assess open-response questions shows how AI can be employed to encourage critical thinking and ethical decision-making among students. By providing detailed, individualised feedback on formative assessments, AI supports the learning process, helping students refine their skills in a way that a single teacher managing a large classroom might find challenging.
Patrick adds, “These examples underscore that AI, when used thoughtfully, can support and enhance education, not replace the essential human elements of teaching. AI provides teachers with tools to manage their workload more effectively, create more engaging lessons, and offer personalised feedback to students. Far from heralding a dismal future, the integration of AI in education holds the promise of a more personalised, efficient, and inspiring learning environment. The key lies in using AI as a complement to, rather than a substitute for, the irreplaceable human connection that lies at the heart of effective teaching.”
Read the full government announcement here.
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Founded in 2008, the e-Assessment Association (eAA) is an international not-for-profit membership organisation representing all industry sectors with an interest in e-Assessment including schools, FE and HE through to qualification providers, regulators, technology providers and industry consultants. With over 5,000 members worldwide we have three main goals:
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