Selecting Effective Edtech in the AI Era
Authored by Kerry Friedman
Published on 2024-09-30 16:55:00 by EdSurge Articles
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) offers groundbreaking solutions to enduring challenges in the education sector. However, this technological boom is accompanied by new dilemmas around privacy, bias, and reliability. As the influx of AI-driven educational technologies (edtech) intensifies, districts and schools find themselves navigating a labyrinth of impressive marketing claims and bold assurances.
As a participant in the LEARN Network, a federally funded initiative aimed at fostering the development and dissemination of high-quality educational products, I have had the privilege of collaborating with researchers, developers, educational practitioners, and leaders nationwide. Our accumulated experiences provide a nuanced understanding of why certain edtech solutions thrive while others falter. Here, I outline essential considerations for districts and schools in the selection process of AI-integrated edtech tools.
Understanding the Function
Quality edtech, whether AI-based or not, should never supplant the essential human connection between educators and students. Policymakers and educational organizations across states like California and Minnesota emphasize the continued centrality of educators in the learning process. Robust edtech should aim to enhance educational effectiveness and efficiency without displacing human interaction.
The primary question to ask is what the edtech tool is designed to do. Is it student-facing, engaging directly with learners, or is it aimed at supporting educators and administrators? Each use case entails different considerations. Student-facing tools require rigorous safeguards against bias, privacy infringements, and reliability issues. Conversely, administrative tools should improve efficiency by complementing human expertise rather than undermining it.
Assessing the Evidence Base
A critical aspect in the selection of edtech is its evidence base. Is there credible research supporting its efficacy? The Every Student Succeeds Act’s (ESSA) tiers of evidence offer a structured framework for evaluating the research credentials of an edtech tool. Nonetheless, meeting an ESSA tier does not inherently guarantee effectiveness.
Products that meet the higher ESSA tiers, such as Tiers 1 and 2, undergo stringent evaluations, often with outcomes documented in repositories like the What Works Clearinghouse. Conversely, a lack of substantial evidence does not necessarily denote ineffectiveness, particularly for newer AI-powered tools. Schools should contextualize developer claims and, where feasible, generate localized evidence through pilot testing.
Meeting Specific Needs
Evidence quality is paramount, but aligning edtech with specific institutional goals is equally vital. Determine the precise issues you aim to address and ensure the technology is not only promising but also truly necessary. Broad, generalized claims often fail to gain traction among educators unless they address a clearly perceived need.
Ensuring Contextual Fit
An edtech tool’s usability hinges on its integration with existing systems and workflows. Products must fit seamlessly into current practices without overwhelming staff or disrupting established processes. For instance, the success of A2i, a literacy enhancement tool, is partly owed to its compatibility with diverse learning management systems.
Moreover, the unique characteristics of your community should inform your edtech choices. Consider any cultural, structural, or environmental factors that could impact accessibility and efficacy. Tailoring edtech to fit the local context is key to its successful adoption.
Development Process
Effective edtech usually stems from iterative, inclusive development processes involving educators, administrators, and community members. At the LEARN Network, we advocate for participatory design involving diverse stakeholders to preempt potential challenges during implementation.
Prioritizing Equity
Edtech should advance equity and cater to the diverse needs of all students. In the AI-driven landscape, there’s a unique opportunity to harness technology for inclusive education, provided it’s developed with accessibility and equity at its core.
An actionable way to ensure equity is by including student voices in the selection and development processes. Students offer invaluable perspectives and insights that can guide the adoption of technologies that benefit the entire educational community.
In summation, as AI continues to redefine edtech, it’s crucial to focus on fundamentals over flashy promises. By emphasizing evidence, addressing specific needs, ensuring contextual fit, scrutinizing the development process, prioritizing equity, and incorporating diverse voices, educational leaders can adopt AI-powered tools that genuinely enhance educational outcomes.
This information was supported by the Institute of Education Sciences, U.S. Department of Education, through Grant R305N220012 to SRI International. The opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not reflect the views of the Institute or the U.S. Department of Education.
