Technology in the classroom

Ever since Chat GPT became world famous, AI has been the talk of the day. New applications are released daily and whereas Artificial Intelligence used to be just for big corporations, it’s now being used in everyday life by individuals. Some applications we might not even be aware of using Artificial Intelligence, like Siri or Alexa, or even the face recognition on your photos. Other applications it’s more straightforward. Who has not been talking to an AI chatbot like chat GPT or the chatbot of the customer service of a company? But what about the applications where you can generate stories, photos or even compose music? How can we use these new developments in our classroom?

What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)?

Artificial intelligence (AI) refers to the development of computer systems that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. These tasks include learning from experience, understanding natural language, recognizing patterns, and solving complex problems. AI systems are designed to analyze data, adapt to changing circumstances, and make informed decisions, often mimicking human cognitive functions. Machine learning, a subset of AI, enables systems to improve their performance over time by learning from data without explicit programming. AI applications range from virtual personal assistants and recommendation systems to advanced tasks such as image recognition, language translation, and data analyzing. The goal of AI is to create intelligent machines that can enhance efficiency, solve challenging problems, and augment human capabilities across various domains.

There are many forms of AI. The most used is the data collection AI, making work easier for teachers. However, in this article, I want to focus on the AI applications that can be implemented within our classroom Projects, where children can learn about and experience the aspects of an AI integrated application to create new content.

Technology is developing quickly. The suggestions offered in this app are merely suggestions. New and better technologies might have been developed by the time you’d like to implement these. Use this information as inspiration for the possibilities out there, and never stop dreaming about other possibilities!

Visual programming Languages

Understanding basic programming language (also called coding) is the foundation of AI. Coding is the process of instructing a computer to perform specific tasks by providing it with a set of instructions written in a programming language. These instructions, known as code, are a series of step-by-step commands that tell the computer what actions to take. It is the fundamental skill behind software development, allowing programmers to create applications, websites, games and other software.

Coding involves problem solving, logic, and creativity. Programmers need to analyze problems, break them down into smaller, manageable tasks and then write code to solve each part.

There are several platforms available for children to learn about the basics of coding, using a drag and drop interface, allowing children to assemble simple programs by assembling visual blocks.

• Scratch

  Scratch is one of the world’s largest free coding platforms for children. It’s being used in homes and schools all over the world. Children learn to create stories, animations and games using a coding language with a simple digital interface.

  Scratch has endless possibilities. Their strength is the possibility to upload your own media for your projects. For example, when your children have written their own stories and you would like the children to experiment with different ways to present their stories. With Scratch, you can code your story, by uploading a personal background and characters.

Machine Learning

Machine Learning (ML) is a subset of AI that focuses on the development of algorithms and models that enable computers to learn and make predictions or decisions without being explicitly programmed.

• Google Teachable Machine

  Imagine you’re doing a project on the differences between moths and butterflies. The children have researched multiple resources on the differences and have made a list of these differences. How cool would it be if they could build their own machine? A machine that will tell them whether the animal found is a moth or a butterfly by submitting a simple photo. Google’s teachable machine is a free interface.

As mentioned before, technology is developing fast and new applications are rolled out each day. We can only imagine how business will be done in 15 years from now, but I know for sure that technology will not stand still. Introducing children to these concepts at a young age will make them flexible, and critical thinkers. It is our task as educators to embrace the future, teach the children the capabilities and the dangers hidden in these developments. Only then can we ensure the children will be ready for the future.

Disclaimer: Using technology with children is only beneficial when used appropriately. Before using any technology suggested in this article, ask yourself if it’s developmentally appropriate to the age group you’re teaching. Adult supervision is important