Developing Intelligent Tutoring Systems and AI’s Role

With AI, teachers can now develop intelligent tutoring systems

According to a research report, artificial intelligence in the global education market is projected to reach USD3.68 billion by 2023, registering a CAGR of 47%. The role of AI in education is huge and imperative in the current scenario. AI along with other disruptive technology has given rise to EdTech and smart learning methods. It has now entered into another significant area, which is Intelligent Tutoring. Intelligent tutoring systems, as the name suggests is an intelligent computer system that can effectively provide instructions to the learners and enables a feedback system with minimal human intervention.

In May last year, researchers from Carnegie Mellon University developed a system wherein a teacher can teach computer systems with the help of AI and create intelligent tutoring systems. A report by CMU quotes Ken Koedinger, professor of human-computer interaction psychology saying that initially, it took almost 200 hours of development for each hour of tutored instruction since they programmed production rules by hand and later using a shortcut method reduced the hours to about 40 to 50. Still, it is a long process considering the variety of problems and instructions that exist.

The new AI-based intelligent tutoring system is not that lazy to learn and can be programmed in 30 minutes for a 30-minutes session. The paper published on the same states that they used a novel interaction design to create Intelligent Tutoring Systems by training Simulated Learners. It leverages machine learning and developed a user-friendly teaching interface for these machine learning programs.

Teachers can demonstrate how to solve a problem in different ways to these computer systems and correct if they respond with errors. Since it uses AI and machine learning, the system can learn to solve problems under a topic by generalizing without receiving any demonstration from teachers.

Artificial intelligence is disrupting the education sector and with the arrival of pandemics, the influence increased. Intelligent Tutoring Systems are hailed for their capability to provide one-on-one curriculum and personalized instructions. Intelligent tutoring systems using AI are set to revolutionize the conventional education system that runs on a one-size-fits-all rule and thinks that everybody needs an equal amount of learning time and attention. Every student is different and Intelligent Tutoring Systems are designed to address this. It is customizable according to the needs of each student.

Intelligent tutoring systems developed by AI do not require any programming and teachers can mold it according to their teaching techniques. The system developed by CMU has been proved effective in teaching English grammar, chemistry, and algebra and they have experimented with specific problems like multi-column addition to test its capability. Ken Koedinger explains in the report that the machine learning models usually stumble in different places while learning, like the students. Thus, it might also enlighten teachers on understanding the difficulty level of each technique and instruction.

Artificial intelligence technology has reigned different industries and education is a relevant one. By enabling the faster and easier development of Intelligent Tutoring Systems, AI is making world-class education accessible to all.