The advancement of artificial intelligence is transforming various aspects of our lives, including the education sector. Schools and universities are increasingly integrating AI into their educational practices, which has the potential to bring about both benefits and challenges. In particular, platforms like ChatGPT and similar technologies have raised concerns about the integrity of student assessment and the spread of misinformation within the educational context.
AI-supported educational technology is not entirely new. Schools and educational institutions have been using AI-powered platforms to assess students’ learning needs, provide opportunities for practice, offer feedback, and even deliver additional instruction when necessary. These technologies can significantly enhance the learning experience by tailoring it to individual students and providing timely feedback.
Yet, some education unions have also resisted AI based on the possible threat of ‘robo-marking’ undermining the professionalism of teachers.
The conversation delves into how AI can enhance and streamline teaching practices, assist educators in providing personalised learning experiences, and offer insights for better educational decision-making. Daisy Christodoulou is Director of Education at No More Marking (NMM), an online resource that helps teachers with writing assessment, and she was previously head of assessment at Ark Schools, the network of academies across the UK run by Ark, an international children’s charity. She is author of three books about education: Teachers vs Tech, Making Good Progress, and Seven Myths about Education.
Leslie Loble is an Industry Professor at the University of Technology Sydney’s Centre for Social Justice and Inclusion and a Paul Ramsay Foundation Fellow. Her recent research includes the report, Shaping AI and Edtech to Tackle Australia’s Learning Divide. In addition to governance roles at the Centre for Policy Development and Australian Education Research Organisation, Leslie has also served as Deputy Secretary in the NSW Department of Education, Schooling Policy Group of the Australian Education Ministerial Council, and she established the awards-winning Centre for Education Statistics and Evaluation, Centre for Learning Innovation and Catalyst Lab. Prior to coming to Australia, Leslie served in President Bill Clinton’s Administration.