On 26 September 2023, NEQMAP held an insightful webinar titled “The State of AI in Differentiated Learning and Assessment in Asia-Pacific and Beyond.” This session delved deep into the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in personalizing education through adaptive learning and assessment.
Context & Background
In the post-COVID-19 epoch, the educational sector witnessed a learning crisis, further emphasizing the limitations of the traditional classroom in catering to the diverse needs of students. Teachers, while acknowledged as pivotal, often find themselves strained due to high student numbers and time-consuming routine tasks, restricting the customization of learning experiences for every student. In Asia-Pacific, the lack of essential tools and training intensifies these limitations, making AI a beacon of hope, exemplified by the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, which amassed over a million active users within its initial week.
Panel Insights
The panel, featuring experts such as Michela Pagano from UNESCO Headquarters, Dr. Ben Leong from the National University of Singapore, Soo Jiunn Huat from Singapore’s Ministry Of Education (MOE), and Dr. Ki-Sang Song from the Korea National University of Education, examined the intricate issues, potential repercussions and lucrative opportunities AI harbours for education professionals.
Michela Pagano highlighted the empowerment of education through technology, emphasizing the augmentation of teachers’ digital skills and shaping decisive ICT policies for education. Dr. Ben Leong, with his vast experience in software engineering and AI, shared deep insights into the application and integration of AI in educational frameworks and its overarching impact on learning methodologies.
Soo Jiunn Huat explored the advancements in AI within educational technology, with particular attention to the pioneering AI projects tailored for teaching and learning. Dr. Ki-Sang Song, a renowned expert on ICT in education, concentrated on the prolific applications of AI in education, underlining his extensive research and publications on the subject.
Conclusion & Forward Look
Moderated by Benjamin Vergel De Dios, a Programme Specialist at UNESCO Bangkok, the panel discussion furnished participants with a thorough understanding of AI’s pivotal role in shaping differentiated learning and assessment. It highlighted the various facets and dimensions of AI, providing a comprehensive view of its implementation, challenges, and prospective developments in the educational landscape, especially in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.
This enriching session underscored the importance of a learner-centred approach and the augmentation of AI to mitigate the limitations faced by educators in the contemporary learning environment. The perspectives shared will inevitably drive conversations and initiatives forward, encouraging the development of relevant policies and practices aimed at integrating AI into education to address the diverse needs of students effectively.
For those interested in further exploring the dialogues and insights from this webinar, a recording will be available on the NEQMAP Knowledge Portal.
Webinar Recording available on the UNESCO YouTube Channel
You can also delve into the Powerpoint presentation used during the webinar:
