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Using AI to Improve Foundational Literacy and Numeracy
Wed, March 13, 6:30 to 8:00pm, Hyatt Regency Miami, Floor: Third Level, StanfordGroup Submission Type: Formal Panel Session
Proposal
The current advancements in the abilities of artificial intelligence (AI) have led to an explosion of interest in their applications in education all round the world, and the potential for AI to help dramatically improve (and lower the cost of improving) education systems is high.
The application of predictive analytics, and large-language models to education support tools and processes can potentially be transformative, if done right. Looking at the potential use cases for students, teachers, and system reform there are many opportunities, but a need to consider the pedagogy, content, technology and how they can fit into the system. There is a great need to understand how the technical aspects of the system fit with what experts from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) want and build common public goods to help them plug into their products.
The panel will focus on how we can best harness and shape AI to improve foundational literacy and numeracy (FLN). It will discuss how an ecosystem-based approach focused on collaboration, shared infrastructure, and practical learning can shape how this technology gets used for good. This has many implications to how such a tool can be used in the context of LMIC.
Imagine a teacher, in a rural school, who is struggling with literacy and numeracy and can get support from a structured pedagogy programme; they have few resources but access to a basic smart phone and 2G connection – with AI, WhatsApp and simple apps, they can ask for support to prep for classes, get AI to create exercises for the class and homework for them to take home – they can then get AI to mark the homework, identify areas of support and chat with the teacher on how to improve this – giving suggestions for improvements.
This is just one example of many where AI can help – we will start by presenting a framework of how to think about this at different levels of the system – from the child to the Ministry. The panel will discuss an outline of such an eco-system, building on work Fab Inc. are doing with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) and others on understanding the potential of AI in education.
It will showcase several implementations of this technology – from examples of improving teaching and learning through Continuing Professional Development (CPD) support and formative assessment in Sierra Leone (EducAid); to how it can be used to improve data collection systems and surveys (Laterite). We will also think how AI can help organisations manage their own knowledge (IDInsight) – including how Ministries can improve their use of their own evidence to drive policy reform (Fab Inc.); and how AI can help with Social and Emotional learning (Emotions Foundation).