AI and Educational Visits - A Step Too Far?
Jake Wiid, Senior Educational Visits Adviser and MD of EVOLVE Advice
Over the past year, the EVOLVE Advice team has been exploring how we can use AI to enhance the service we offer to our schools. This got me thinking about how AI can support schools outside the classroom. With companies such as CENTURY Tech providing a great AI model in the classroom, is there room for it when taking learning outside the classroom?
Educational visits (school trips) hold a vital place in the academic journey of children and young people. These visits often provide a unique opportunity to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and real-world experiences. In recent years, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) has revolutionised various aspects of our lives, and education is no exception. You read, on a daily basis, articles making the case for the use of AI in education to reduce workload, improve output data and to support students in their school life.
AI has the potential to significantly enhance educational visits in the same way, making them more engaging, informative, and memorable for the digital native student.
Some thoughts and considerations about how they could be applied are below. I am acutely aware that this is not for everyone but makes a good starting point.
1. Personalised learning
One of the key advantages of AI technology is its ability to personalise experiences based on individual preferences and learning styles. This can be harnessed during educational visits to tailor the content and activities according to the student's needs. AI algorithms can analyse students' past academic performances, interests, and learning profiles to design an itinerary that maximises their engagement and learning outcomes. For instance, if a student shows a strong interest in biology, the AI can ensure that their educational visit includes more biology-related activities, enhancing their overall experience.
2. Virtual tour guides
Many VR tools have the ability to explore destination from the comfort of your own home/school. However many destinations are making use of AI-powered virtual tour guides. These guides, often in the form of mobile apps or wearable devices, can provide real-time information about the visited location, historical context, and interesting facts. Students can interact with these guides to ask questions and receive instant responses, enriching their understanding of the subject matter. These guides can also offer language translation services, catering to students from diverse backgrounds and facilitating a more inclusive learning environment for the MFL students or those EAL students.
3. Adaptive content delivery
AI is utilising machine learning algorithms, which can analyse the reactions and engagement levels of students as they interact with different exhibits, displays, or activities. This real-time feedback allows the AI to adjust the content delivery method, pacing, and depth of information to ensure optimal comprehension. This adaptive approach ensures that students remain engaged and grasp the key concepts, irrespective of their prior knowledge of the subject.
4. Gamification and interactive learning
There are a vast array of AI powered games and quizzes related to the visited site can be integrated into the itinerary, challenging students to apply their knowledge in creative ways. These games not only make learning more fun but also reinforce the concepts learned during the visit. Through AI-driven simulations and augmented reality experiences, students can virtually explore historical events, scientific processes, or even ancient civilisations, creating an immersive and memorable learning adventure.
5. Data-driven insights for teachers
AI doesn't just benefit students; it also provides valuable insights for teachers. During educational visits, AI can gather data on students' interactions, questions asked, and areas of interest. This data can be analysed to identify trends, learning gaps, and overall student engagement levels. Teachers can then use this information to tailor their teaching strategies, develop follow-up activities, and assess the effectiveness of the visit in achieving its learning objectives/outcomes.
6. Post-visit engagement
The impact of an educational visit can be prolonged through AI-driven post-visit engagement. Follow-up materials, such as online quizzes, discussion forums, and multimedia resources, can be recommended based on the students' experiences during the visit. AI can also facilitate virtual reunions or discussion sessions among students who attended the visit, allowing them to share insights, reflections, and newfound knowledge.
I appreciate for many, this is a long way off and maybe a step too removed from the human touch, but little steps and introductions to the education sector have already seen huge advances and advantages all for the students' benefit. As AI continues to evolve (excuse the pun), its role in education will likely expand, creating new opportunities to enrich the learning experiences of students around the world.
For our clients at EVOLVE Advice, AI and educational visits are on the horizon. To keep up to date, subscribe to our newsletter at https://www.evolveadvice.co.uk/toolsforschools
If you are interested in AI for schools, unite.ai have created a top 10 list here https://www.unite.ai/10-best-ai-tools-for-education/
To find out more about how EVOLVE Advice can support you with your educational visits, contact support@evolveadvice.co.uk.