Zack Cronin
Artificial Intelligence has been perhaps the most discussed technology in the last few years. While many welcome it, just as many educators are concerned about the impact it will have on the classroom experience.
Unfortunately, regardless of personal perspectives, AI is here, and it’s not going away. Much like anything though there are potential upsides and downsides. From our perspective, it’s all about how it’s implemented.
Understanding the gap between the AI hype and its practical application is the key. There are some things that AI excels at – like data aggregation and analysis, but while it may seem conversational, it doesn’t actually understand context and true communication.
That’s why it can be most powerful when leveraged in a support role, where it can empower educators so teachers can finally spend more time teaching.
What can artificial intelligence actually do for education?
The most effective place for generative AI to be is behind the educator. It’s now been shown that it can transform the way teachers plan lessons, grade assignments, and interact with the curriculum.
But, it’s not time (and it may never be) for AI to engage with students.
AI can streamline administrative tasks, help personalize the arduous and time-consuming process of feedback and grading, and offer support in the form of personalized practice for students.
At its best, AI can act as an intelligent assistant that takes over repetitive, time-consuming tasks, allowing teachers to focus more on what they do best—teaching.
Tools like Kiddom AI bring value by automating grading and providing personalized feedback for students. Sitting behind the teacher, the AI will grade and provide personalized feedback for every single student’s response. Educators who have already used Kiddom AI say, “If it weren’t for the AI, I probably wouldn’t provide that level of feedback to students. In terms of time efficiency, if I had to provide that same amount of feedback to all the students, with 130 students, I would spend around 30 hours per week just on feedback. It’s great that the AI provides more specific feedback than I could manage. It’s definitely a time-saver.”
This can be a game changer, especially for teachers who struggle to keep up with the sheer volume of grading and lesson planning.
The benefits of AI-powered, rapid scoring and feedback are twofold. Firstly, the student gets feedback faster than ever before. Allowing them to immediately understand where they stand, giving them more insights into their performance, and empowering them to take ownership of their education.
Second, it alleviates the stress and pressure placed on educators. They simply need to approve the AI’s scoring, make adjustments where needed, and have hours back in their day. With the instant insights from grades, they can also adjust lesson plans for the next day, allowing them to directly cater to student needs, ensuring no one is left behind.
How does AI help personalize learning?
AI’s potential to enhance personalized learning is perhaps one of its most talked-about benefits.
With auto-grading and near-instantaneous feedback, AI gets educators rapid insights into student learning. When used in conjunction with a platform that allows for student reporting against standards, teachers can understand exactly where their students excel (or stall) at any given time.
With gaps visible at any moment. Teachers can provide individualized attention to students, especially in large classrooms.
AI can also help by generating practice problems, specifically tailored to each student’s needs. So if a learner struggles with a specific concept, educators can assign them activities and work with them on one to build understanding.
However, as Dan Meyer emphasizes, while AI can certainly speed up tasks like grading and content generation, it cannot replace the human touch in education. Teaching is not just about delivering content—it’s about motivating students, fostering relationships, and creating an environment where learners feel they belong. AI can help by providing insights into student performance, but it cannot replicate the social work that teachers do every day.
AI makes rich curricula more usable
AI can make high-quality, rigorous curriculums more accessible to teachers, especially those who are new to teaching.
For instance, AI-powered platforms can automatically adjust lesson plans to align with the specific needs of the classroom, including the time allotted for a particular lesson.
This would even be impactful with a substitute teacher. Simplify a lesson so the learning can continue on pace while a teacher is absent.
Improve teacher efficiency with grading and planning
AI’s most immediate benefit for teachers is likely in grading and lesson planning. For example, Kiddom’s AI can automate the process of scoring assignments, providing instant feedback to both students and teachers. This eliminates the need for teachers to spend hours grading, freeing up time for more meaningful interactions with students.
Additionally, AI can help teachers create adaptive lesson plans that evolve based on real-time student data. If students struggle with a particular concept, the teacher can refine their plan to reinforce the material. This dynamic approach ensures that lessons remain relevant and challenging for every learner.
Empowering Teachers to Spend More Time with Students
Ultimately, the true power of AI lies in its ability to empower teachers by handling behind-the-scenes tasks. By automating grading, providing data-driven insights, and adapting curriculum to meet individual needs, AI allows teachers to spend more time focusing on what matters most—working directly with students.
As AI continues to evolve, its role will likely expand to include even more sophisticated forms of personalization and support. For example, AI could soon help teachers assess not only academic performance but also social-emotional growth, providing a holistic picture of each student’s progress.
However, we must keep in mind that AI is not a replacement for teachers, but rather a tool that enhances their work. As Meyer points out, the technology has limitations. AI cannot replace the vital role of a teacher in fostering motivation, engagement, and a sense of belonging in the classroom. But with the right integration, it can lighten the load, improve efficiency, and help teachers deliver a more personalized learning experience for every student.
The Future of AI in Education
The integration of AI in education is still in its early stages, and while there are challenges to overcome, the potential benefits are undeniable. The key is to focus on how AI can support teachers—not replace them. AI-powered tools like Kiddom AI are paving the way by providing real-time data and automating administrative tasks, allowing educators to focus on what truly matters: their students.
As we move forward, the most successful AI implementations will be those that work seamlessly within the context of a teacher’s daily routine, helping to reduce administrative burdens while preserving the essential human aspects of teaching. With the right balance, AI can truly help shape a brighter future for education, one where teachers are empowered, students are supported, and learning thrives.
Kiddom seamlessly connects the most critical aspects of teaching and learning on one platform.
For the first time, educators can share and manage digital curriculum, differentiate instruction, and assess student work in one place. Learners can take assessments online, see student performance data with the click of a button, and teachers have the insight and tools they need to create individual learning paths.
What to learn more about Kiddom?
Connect with us to see how Kiddom can help your school or district.
