Artificial intelligence helps teachers identify which of their students have learning difficulties, according to a new study.
Teachers make more accurate assessments of learning difficulties among their students if they are given Al-generated feedback(反馈) rather than an "expert solution" written by a qualified professional. Researchers believe that because the AI analyzed the teacher's own work, it's easier for the teacher to understand than a "model answer" prepared beforehand.
"Teachers play a critical role in recognizing the signs of disorders and learning difficulties in pupils and referring them to specialists," said Riikka Hofmann. "Unfortunately, many of them feel that they have not had sufficient opportunity to practice these skills. AI could provide an extra level of individualized feedback to help them develop these essential competences. "
Trainee teachers were asked to assess fictionalized students for potential learning difficulties, based on evidence including examples of their work, school behavior records and written texts of conversations with parents. Half of the trainees received the "expert solution", typical of the material given to trainee teachers, while the other half received AI-generated feedback on their approach, highlighting where they could improve. The trainees then completed similar follow-up assessments, and were graded both on the accuracy of their diagnoses(诊断) and on how well they had used the evidence. Trainees who received the AI feedback scored significantly higher than those who worked with the pre-written expert solutions.
While the researchers said this does not mean AI is preferable to one-to-one feedback from a skilled expert, this is not always available for trainee teachers. "We are not arguing that AI should replace teacher-educators: new teachers still need expert guidance on how to recognize learning difficulties in the first place," said Dr Michael Sailer. "It does seem, however, that Al-generated feedback helped these trainees to focus on what they really needed to learn. When personal feedback is not readily available, it could be an effective substitute(代替物). "
