As a technology, artificial intelligence (AI) is quite old. Its seeds were sown way back in the 1950’s. However, it is only now that the AI technology is put to real use. While the rationale behind AI is old, it is the powerful computers of today and the vast reach of Internet that has made it possible to put AI to good use. As per an estimate, the market for AI is set to experience stellar growth in the coming years. It is estimated that wide range of AI applications like natural language processing, robotic process automation, and machine learning is set to generate a staggering income of about Rs. 9,00,000 crores by the year 2025 worldwide.
AI can be defined as a branch of computer science that is related to developing smart machines which are capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence. It is considered as an interdisciplinary science with multiple approaches. Patrick Winston, the Ford professor of artificial intelligence and computer science at MIT, defines AI as "algorithms enabled by constraints, exposed by representations that support models targeted at loops that tie thinking, perception and action together." Artificial Intelligence (AI) is about designing intelligent software that can analyze its environment and make intelligent choices. And this can be extremely useful in eLearning.
AI in eLearning
To understand how AI can be of help in eLearning, let us take a real life case of a school classroom. In a typical classroom, not everyone possesses the same ability to assimilate data. Some are fast learners, some are slow. Some understand maths easily, while learning languages come naturally to others. The teachers at school understand the learning ability of each student, and ensure that each student learns as per his or her abilities. The teachers might take extra coaching efforts for some children, or devise ways to make them understand their subject in a better manner. AI can take the role of a teacher in eLearning. It can do so by understanding the ability of a student to learn the subject, and device a learning program geared to that individual. AI is about designing intelligent software that can analyze its environment and make intelligent choices for online learning. Another example is that of google. If you start searching for a key phrase in google – say ‘Rosetta Stone Language Learning’ - google gives you word suggestions even before you complete the key phrase. It is smart enough to understand that you are searching for the Rosetta Stone language learning software and not the tablet. This is nothing but AI at work. While it may look easy, there is a vast amount of data crunching going on at the backend. How does AI do it? It does so by making data-driven analysis and decisions faster than a human can. AI is already making a big impact in other fields; and it is about to play a major role in education.
Benefits of AI in eLearning
With AI in eLearning, there is no ‘one size fits all’ kind of solution. A properly implemented AI eLearning solution provides naturalized voice recognition and pronunciation feedback to learners. This helps them grasp the nuances of a new language in a better fashion.
AI Makes Adaptive eLearning a Reality
Adaptive learning is where a language software branches out into different subroutines depending on the user response. AI eLearning solutions of today make this a real possibility. So, one student may proceed with the language learning in one way, another student may take a different path. Of course, if the end result is same viz. learning the new language, it does not matter which path the student has taken.
Dig Deeper
Some AI based language learning solutions also identify the student's weakness in a particular area of language and focus on that area. Say a student is learning German and gets confused about the gender usage (German language is notorious for that!). An AI based software will identify that the student is still not clear about gender usage, and offer more lessons in that area. Sehr gut, right?
Gentle Learning Curve
eLearning solutions with AI will ease the digital complexities from the user point of view. AI enabled software adopts the assessments, tests, evaluations, placement tests and other methods as per the skill-set of the learner. This feature is extremely useful for a company to identify the various groups of employees as per their knowledge levels and place them according to their proficiency. For learning a new language, it is important to have repeatability, tests, drills, practices and all of these can be accomplished perfectly with AI systems. Smart AI algorithms can be used to “cluster” learners based on the abilities or weaknesses they display and assign appropriate material, exercises and tests to them. Quite simply, AI powered eLearning will allow each individual to have their personalized learning paths.
Other Benefits
To Summarize
The benefit of artificial intelligence comes from its ability to evaluate, learn, and adopt a dynamic strategy. Artificial Intelligence was able to analyze and come up with solutions for how to solve the Rubik’s Cube puzzle, or even devise a strategy to play chess with the leading grandmasters. One of the best benefits of eLearning is that it allows students to learn at their own pace and at their convenience. Time is not a constraint for eLearning (you can start a lesson at 2.00 AM in the morning), nor is distance. You can learn from the convenience of your own home or workplace. With AI enabled language learning solutions, students are free to explore topics in depth, and test their knowledge in complex scenarios rather than simple right-or-wrong answers.