Could AI drive learning equity?

Tutor-style AI set to benefit students and teachers.

All teachers care about their students and their learning. This gives teachers a core shared desire: to see every student in their class learn and achieve to the best of their ability. But it’s not always easy to achieve.

Nation-wide, teachers deal with the challenge of educational inequality: whether it’s geographical, socio-economical, or the many other factors that come into play daily in the classroom. They create a vast spectrum of inequality when it comes to learning, and the lack of access to educational resources can hold some students back.

Enter AI. The future holds promise with the emergence of AI tools set to help teachers bridge this gap. We’re talking about purposefully designed AI-powered tools – one’s that support and not replace teachers. With it, teachers have the chance to balance the quality equation, unlocking learning accessibility like never before.

What’s on the horizon for educators? the exciting opportunity to use AI for good – inside and out side the classroom.

What does the future look like with AI-powered tutoring tools?

AI is already all around us, lending a hand to discover new information, solve problems faster and more effectively, and automate processes or tasks. For some, the idea of trusting AI with students’ sounds a bit daunting.  It could even seem like learning is being taken out of the equation entirely.

Although we understand these concerns, this isn’t always the case. We know with the right tools AI can both enhance learning and improve outcomes. Learning remains front and centre, now and forever. It’s our shared responsibility to ensure AI doesn’t provide students with answers before they’ve had a chance to flex their own mental muscles.

This kind of Generative AI is a mode of artificial intelligence that can craft a range of content based on user prompts. When purposefully designed and built, it can provide students with a safe interactive responsive tutor. It’s like a learning buddy that gives individual students the tailored help they need to keep up.

Our Director of Publishing Shirly Griffith says, “AI tools will profoundly level the playing field. They offer equal access to personalised teaching support that enhances teacher-led learning. When done well, we can use AI for good in the classroom.”

A personal tutor for every student – outside and inside the class.

While some parents can invest in the help of private tutors, the cost can become prohibitive. For many, in this cost-of-living crisis it’s simply not an option. This creates a gap in educational opportunities, where extra support can depend on extra financial means.

Imagine if schools could help bridge the gap in personal tutorage simply by utilising their existing classroom resources. Teachers are poised to influence equity in this very way.

Shirly, who spent 18 years teaching in the classroom before delving into education resource development, invites you to image a world with a reliable AI tool that provides students with the guidance they needs to get unstuck in and outside of the classroom. “It’s a game changer—for teachers, for students, and for educational resource designers.”

AI tutors are not just for a student’s weakest subject.

Traditionally only the fortunate few get access to a tutor. And even then, they focus on the student’s weakest subject, typically investing one hour per week in tutoring. But true fairness emerges when affordability is no longer a barrier to personal tutoring.

In the near future, students will enjoy access to interactive, responsive AI tutors for any subject they are studying, precisely when they need help and when they want to push themselves further. This fosters equality. Teachers and parents will begin to see tutor—be it face-to-face or AI-based as an accessible tool to support every student journey.

How will teachers benefit from an AI tool?

Personalised learning: this is arguably the most crucial benefit of an AI tutor for teachers wanting to tailor a students’ learning journeys to their individual needs.

Instant feedback: When an AI tutor can deliver guidance at the point of learning, giving students hints that empower them to get unstuck and continue progressing.

Enhanced Engagement: the modern student is naturally drawn to interactive features and adaptive learning technologies. Let’s harness this.

Time efficiency: perennial win for teachers! The opportunity to support every student in less time, amplifying a teacher’s reach inside and outside the walls of a classroom.

When teachers integrate AI into their classroom toolkit, the benefits extend beyond our current expectations.

Learn how to use AI effectively and safely with students.

With AI making waves in education, teachers and schools are eager to discover the answers to three key questions:

1. What is Generative AI and what does it mean for my classroom?
2. How can teachers effectively use this technology to our advantage?
3. Where can schools access safe and reliable AI tools?

Rest assured, we are already on the case. Our teams are providing teachers and students with easy ways to branch into AI. Like teachers tell their students, let’s keep an open mind about the possibilities of AI, ask questions along the way, and look at challenges as opportunities.