Beyond Tools: Generative AI as Epistemic Infrastructure in Education
Project Overview
The document explores the transformative role of generative AI in education, emphasizing its potential to reshape how knowledge is created, validated, and disseminated. It acknowledges the challenges posed by AI systems, such as the risk of diminishing human epistemic agency, and highlights the necessity for a careful examination of AI tools to ensure they enhance rather than hinder educational practices. The paper advocates for active involvement from educators in the design of AI systems, stressing the importance of creating AI environments that promote skilled epistemic actions and uphold core educational values. Key applications of generative AI in education include personalized learning experiences, automated content generation, and enhanced assessment methods. Ultimately, the findings suggest that while generative AI holds great promise for enriching educational practices, its implementation must be approached with caution and a commitment to preserving the integrity and agency of learners and educators alike.
Key Applications
AI-Driven Educational Support Tools
Context: Used in various educational settings, including lesson planning for teachers and providing feedback on student writing. These tools aim to enhance instructional practices and streamline assessment processes.
Implementation: Teachers utilize AI-driven tools like MagicSchool AI and Brisk Teaching to generate structured lesson plans and provide rapid feedback on student essays. These tools integrate seamlessly with common educational platforms, allowing for efficient use within existing workflows.
Outcomes: ['Facilitates lesson planning by providing structured starting points and saving time for teachers.', "Enables quick feedback on student writing, alleviating teachers' workload."]
Challenges: ['Limitations in supporting deeper pedagogical reasoning and maintaining epistemic standards.', "Risks fostering habits that prioritize efficiency over meaningful engagement with students' writing."]
Implementation Barriers
Technological Limitations
AI systems often prioritize efficiency over epistemic rigor, leading to a reduction in critical engagement with educational content. This can result in a lack of emphasis on skilled actions and critical reflection.
Proposed Solutions: Design AI systems that encourage skilled actions and critical reflection rather than speed.
Lack of Educator Involvement
Current AI tools are often designed without adequate input from educators, leading to a misalignment with educational values and pedagogical goals.
Proposed Solutions: Encourage educators to actively participate in the AI design processes to ensure alignment with educational values.
Project Team
Bodong Chen
Researcher
Contact Information
For information about the paper, please contact the authors.
Authors: Bodong Chen
Source Publication: View Original PaperLink opens in a new window
Project Contact: Dr. Jianhua Yang
LLM Model Version: gpt-4o-mini-2024-07-18
Analysis Provider: Openai