I’ve been using AI as a teaching assistant since 2017 when I learned how to program Alexa to be my sidekick on stage. It’s hilarious when you have seasoned experts trying to keep up with a quiz like application that tests whether you are smarter than Alexa. I believe universities will play a stronger role as acting as the credible source as more of these programmable avatars facilitate trusted, real life discussions
I agree. It has to be designed for purpose, not just a generic commercial product like chatGPT, but one with a specific use that adds educational value.
Having seen you teach a little, it will be a while before a virtual Scott is able to capture your style or methods. One of the problems is that people who talk about this only think in terms of lectures and private tutoring. They do not think about the learning that comes from creative classroom exercises and group dynamics. They say they want something new but want to lock us into old ways of doing things, something Shannon Vallor brings up in The AI Mirror.
We have a long history of educational innovations that seem exciting and new but often repeat tired ideas and techniques. As my father, who was an elementary teacher for six years and a principal for 31 used to say, in education, every few years the same ideas come around.
This reminds me of a few years ago when a museum announced they were considering installing an animatronic Lincoln. I do not know what ultimately happened, but I know there was an outcry. Serious people did not want the Disneyfication of museums. I don't want to see the Disneyfication of universities.
I’ve been using AI as a teaching assistant since 2017 when I learned how to program Alexa to be my sidekick on stage. It’s hilarious when you have seasoned experts trying to keep up with a quiz like application that tests whether you are smarter than Alexa. I believe universities will play a stronger role as acting as the credible source as more of these programmable avatars facilitate trusted, real life discussions
I agree. It has to be designed for purpose, not just a generic commercial product like chatGPT, but one with a specific use that adds educational value.
California is already acting on the possibility of replacing professors with AI:
"California bill aims to prevent AI replacing faculty," Inside Higher Education.
https://www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-innovation/artificial-intelligence/2024/06/20/california-bill-aims-prevent-ai-replacing
Meanwhile it sounds like Brazil is going in the opposite direction. https://www.cell.com/patterns/fulltext/S2666-3899(24)00153-3
Having seen you teach a little, it will be a while before a virtual Scott is able to capture your style or methods. One of the problems is that people who talk about this only think in terms of lectures and private tutoring. They do not think about the learning that comes from creative classroom exercises and group dynamics. They say they want something new but want to lock us into old ways of doing things, something Shannon Vallor brings up in The AI Mirror.
We have a long history of educational innovations that seem exciting and new but often repeat tired ideas and techniques. As my father, who was an elementary teacher for six years and a principal for 31 used to say, in education, every few years the same ideas come around.
This reminds me of a few years ago when a museum announced they were considering installing an animatronic Lincoln. I do not know what ultimately happened, but I know there was an outcry. Serious people did not want the Disneyfication of museums. I don't want to see the Disneyfication of universities.
There is a fine line between Disneyfication and Enshitification.. ;)
Great stuff! I was especially fond of: "faculty often teach well beyond their expiration date."