If you haven’t been living under a rock for the past decade, you’ve probably heard a lot about machine learning. You’ve also had the chance to listen about the rise of artificial intelligence (AI) as well, and the impact it’s had on nearly every domain of our lives. Machine learning is a subset of AI and a revolutionary type of system that deserves our full attention.

In the domain of education, it has brought some massive changes to how teachers tailor and deliver educational content to students. It has also changed how students learn and what their entire education experience is like.

Let’s take a closer look at what exactly machine learning is and how it is changing education forever.

Machine Learning Explained

As we’ve already mentioned, machine learning falls into the domain of artificial intelligence and is one segment of this major concept. The focus is on the ‘’learning’’ segment as the systems are built to advance the more information they receive and process.

Let’s try to simplify how it all works:

• machine learning algorithms are programmed to learn from the data they receive
• they use the data to identify patterns and make future predictions
• the more data they’re fed, the better they become at performing a certain task

So, these systems aren’t programmed to complete a task but rather to learn about it from examples, measurements, specific cases, and more. This creates a more natural and accurate response to the system, making it far more advanced than other non-learning ones.

Machine learning is still developing. Researchers are constantly working on upgrading the systems, making them faster, smarter, and more accurate.

Machine Learning in Education: An Overview

Machine learning as a part of AI is shaping are reshaping healthcare, finance, retail, transportation, and more, including education. The education system as we know it from ten or twenty years ago is gone. Today, advanced technologies are being used by teachers and educators all over the globe with one mutual goal- to create superb learning experiences.

So, what are the specific changes introduced by machine learning in education? How is it impacting this industry? Let’s find out.

• Customized Learning

One of the greatest advantages of having machine learning systems applied in education is the fact they can help teachers customize the learning experience for each student.

Machine learning algorithms use student data to learn about each student and create student profiles. They collect data from various sources such as:

• learning management systems
• assessment platforms
• student apps
• surveys
• collaboration tools

The systems learn about a student’s progress, weaknesses, interests, engagement, grades, and more. As a result, it provides the teacher with the specific learning needs of the students and ways to help them achieve their learning goals.

• Automation of Teachers’ Tasks

If teachers didn’t have so much bureaucracy to deal with, they’d have more time to devote to students’ needs, engaging learning resources, innovative teaching methods, and more.

Machine learning is helping teachers in this domain as well, as smart systems can automate certain tasks. According to research, one-third of all tasks could be automated for 60% of teachers.

Automation can be applied in teachers’ everyday activities, including:

• grading and assessment
• providing feedback
• creating class materials
• scheduling and organizing classes
• parent communication
• attendance management

These systems can send parents automatic updates, grade an entire class within minutes, and produce feedback on a student’s performance on its own.

• Virtual Tutors and Chatbots

As education continues to change and distance learning becomes more prominent, the need for better online support in education is enormous. Educational platforms saw the solution in machine learning systems that can serve as virtual tutors.

This means that students can have access to education whenever they need it, thanks to chatbots that can:

• answer their questions
• help them solve an assignment
• provide the right learning resources

There are entire courses led by virtual teachers, who provide grades, feedback, support, and the necessary information input.

This makes education more available and allows learners to choose and build their own education path.

Machine Learning in Education: Concerns

While the impact of machine learning on education is creating a revolution that helps teachers and students maximize their learning experience, there are certain concerns that education experts and researchers are pointing out. Here’s what needs to be taken into account.

• Dehumanization of Education

When you think about school and education in general, the student-teacher relationship is extremely important. Teachers are important and influential figures in the lives of young people. It’s their job to try and shape them to be good people, diligent students, and successful professionals.

But, with machine learning taking over in certain domains, this relationship can weaken. The concept of mentorship and emotional support is potentially being lost as well, dehumanizing the entire education experience.

• Loss of Skill

Both students and teachers are starting to rely on machine learning to help them perform simple daily tasks. Over time, they might lose the skills they initially had by not practicing them or neglecting them completely.

That includes critical thinking, decision-making, communication skills, and more.

For instance, students can start using a machine learning system like ChatGPT to do research for them, make decisions, analyze a situation, proofread, or even write their essays and papers. This will lead to deterioration in their language skills. Students who do need writing help should check out writing samples at WritingUniverse. These can serve as an inspiration or a model for how it’s done.

Final Thoughts

The mass application of machine learning in education is happening as we speak. We cannot stop it now that it’s in action, but we can think about how we’re going to use it. While the benefits are incredible and are making teachers’ and students’ lives easier, there are certain concerns to think about.

Hopefully, this article inspires you to rethink how you’re using machine learning on your education journey and what are the best applications you can adopt.

• Author’s Bio

Elaine Bailey is an education expert and a blogger. She focuses on education innovation, EdTech, trends, and tools that can help teachers and students improve their education experience.