The Rise of AI won’t mean the end of Peer-to-Peer Learning

In a recent article on artificial intelligence (AI), Forbes wrote about how it will make humans more valuable and never replace them entirely. While there have been debates on the merits and demerits of AI and whether or not the technology can disrupt employment, the answer is it will take several decades before AI can ultimately make human work redundant.

While robotics and software have made manufacturing and services easy and advanced, they can never imitate humans' emotional perceptions and understanding of speech, sarcasm, humor, and more. Even if AI-powered technology can understand speech, it lacks empathy, relationships, and sentiments.

And this is what will make it impossible for technology to replace humans as teachers.

The Digital Classroom

For several years, classrooms had started moving toward a digital future using technology from attendance tracking to lectures and everything in between. Several institutes already use AI to identify students’ strengths and weaknesses, personalize the curriculum, improve their grades, and help learners with homework solutions based on their individual needs.

While AI is good and has emerged as an effective augment to existing education, some problems have occurred in its use in the classroom. It has been found that students do not engage as completely with AI instruction as they do with an instructor-led education leading to a relative decrease in students’ performance.

Where AI Doesn’t Measure Up

One of the most critical differences between peer-to-peer and AI learning is that an AI instructor is backed by powerful software and advanced hardware. Human evolution has honed the mind to respond to other humans when needed. Still, when we know that the instructor is just computer typing or reading lessons on a screen, we don’t empathize with it the same way or develop the same sense of engagement. Similarly, it is not easy to imagine that a computer will care about and empathize with us as an instructor might. This makes it difficult for students to engage with a machine with the same level of involvement as a human.

Some arguments are that AI, or, for that matter, any technology or software, can't inspire students the same way a teacher might. AI can’t go to other areas of learning to search for an answer and will answer the question rotely, providing information but not inspiration.

In the end, learning isn’t just about delivering facts and information. It’s about creating meaning. While machines can teach skills effectively, they have yet to develop the ability to make sense. For example, a device can gather data about students. Still, it can’t yet understand a student holistically to appeal to that student, understand their needs, and show how learning can be meaningful to them.

Peer-to-Peer Learning Advantages

The main goal of any learning is to help employees or students acquire new skills in today’s rapidly changing business world. To stay competitive, schools and businesses must focus on “developing a culture of continuous learning, fostering informal, peer-to-peer learning.

Historically the only way of knowledge transfer has been through peer-to-peer learning in the classroom or peer-to-peer learning in the workplace, and we all know this is a practical and engaging way of learning. It enables learners to benefit from informal learning without any pressure.

Peer-to-peer learning activities help learners build knowledge and skills during the structured training sessions: they also help learners grow daily through new understandings, which is the heart of peer-to-peer learning.

Benefits of AI for Students

AI can help students achieve their degrees by streamlining their education process, providing access to suitable courses, and improving interaction with teachers and fellow students. There are several ways in which AI can significantly impact students’ educational journey.

• Personalization: In today’s world, personalization in education is a big deal. AI provides students with an educational approach based on their experiences and preferences. AI can also adapt to each student’s learning competency, knowledge level, and learning goals to provide maximum benefits. AI can also analyze students’ learning histories, identify weaknesses, and offer solutions to improve their learning.
• Tutoring Chatbots: Many students seek external educational support. While it’s common for students to seek help outside the classroom, many teachers don’t have the time for after-class coaching. Chatbots are a perfect solution in this situation. While chatbots can never replace a teacher, they can help students sharpen their skills. Chatbots also provide a one-on-one learning experience, much like a teacher does, and at the same speed as the teacher.
• 24/7 Access to Learning: AI-powered learning tools make learning possible for students anytime and anywhere. As students learn at their own pace, anytime, education makes exploring what works for them easier without waiting for the teacher to reply to their questions. Additionally, students from across the world can gain access to high-quality education without having to spend on travel or living.

From digital textbooks to blended or hybrid learning, the advancements in EdTech are immense, and AI plays an essential role in helping students optimize and automate their learning experience. As the AI industry expands and innovates, we will see improved student learning outcomes.

Conclusion

It’s fair to say that AI still has a long way to go to match the human-like intelligence we often see in movies or on TV. Despite all the hype about AI being ubiquitous and able to solve the most complex problems, human creativity and insight still make AI work.

To sum up, AI can only complement the skills of educators and not replicate them. Business organizations and educational establishments use AI to enhance agility, productivity, and experiences.

As mentioned earlier, AI can create more jobs and not reduce or remove jobs. Moreover, with the help of AI, people will have more opportunities to try new jobs that do not exist yet.