AI Is Coming Whether We Like it or Not!

From the article “Machine Learning Bias (AI Bias)” by Alexander S. Gillis and Mary K. Pratt 

• The article provides a thorough explanation of bias in AI and machine learning systems. Algorithm bias, sample bias, prejudice bias, measurement bias, exclusion bias, selection bias, and recall bias are all possible in the process. Additionally, it covers bias and variation and how to balance them for trustworthy results.
• In order to eliminate bias in machine learning, the paper suggests choosing representative training data, testing and validating results, keeping an eye on ML systems, and employing tools like Google’s What-If Tool and IBM’s AI Fairness 360 open-source toolkit for in-depth analysis.
• The historical backdrop of the essay highlights the enormity of the problem and its implications for criminal justice, hiring, and healthcare, including the COMPAS algorithm, Amazon’s recruiting algorithm, and medical AI bias.
• The study unequivocally highlights the need for AI governance and awareness in order to lessen prejudice and support more equitable and reliable machine learning systems.

2 TCE threshold concepts and how they align with bias of AI and my school

“Both teachers and students have empowerment/agency”

It promotes a collaborative and participatory environment where both parties are actively involved in decision-making processes and have the power to influence their learning experiences. The statement “Both teachers and students have empowerment/agency” reflects a balanced power dynamic within the educational setting. The Power 5 Future Skills Strategy and Action Plan, which emphasizes the development of critical skills to prepare students for success in a variety of spheres of life, is in accordance with this strategy.

Promoting teacher and student agency and empowerment in the face of AI bias can contribute to the development of an inclusive and moral learning environment. Students can have a greater knowledge of the societal ramifications of AI technologies and comprehend the significance of tackling bias in these systems by fostering critical thinking in the classroom. Fostering cooperation and communication abilities can also help conversations concerning the moral application of AI and its potential effects on various groups.

“Teachers and students engage in critical-consciousness” 

Developing critical consciousness requires an awareness of the underlying power dynamics and biases that might influence many systems, including AI. Teachers and students can gain a deeper understanding of how biases are ingrained in AI algorithms and systems, resulting in biased outcomes, by practicing critical consciousness. In order to address and mitigate biases in AI technologies and ensure that these technologies do not sustain discriminatory behaviors or reinforce pre existing societal prejudices, it is essential to have this understanding.

Alignment with Power 5 Plan: Critical thinking and critical consciousness are two major competencies emphasized in the Power 5 Future Skills Strategy. Teachers and students can develop their critical thinking abilities and be better able to question, examine, and assess the inherent biases in AI systems by encouraging critical consciousness. By enabling students to use technology with greater responsibility and judgment, this alignment encourages a more inclusive and equitable application of AI in both their academic and professional efforts.

Integrating AI in my Lessons: 

I used Grammarly as a tool to help my 7th grade ELA students improve their writing abilities and solidify grammar principles as we prepared for our unit on The Outsiders. Here is a thorough description of how I included Grammarly into my teaching approach and the results it produced:

Grammarly Basics: I started the class by introducing Grammarly to my students, going over its features, and showing them how it may help them write better, especially in terms of grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure.

Setting Up Accounts with Grammarly: I assisted the students in setting up their Grammarly accounts and made sure they understood how to make the most of the tool throughout the unit.

Customized Lesson Integration: I used Grammarly in particular lessons, emphasizing The Outsiders-related grammatical points including dialogue punctuation, descriptive language, and narrative organization.

Initial thoughts on the strategy:

• Positive Effect on Writing: As a result of Grammarly’s real-time feedback on grammatical problems, which gave students the chance to remedy their mistakes right away, I saw a noticeable improvement in the writing quality of my students.
• A more dynamic and interesting learning environment was created by the interactive nature of Grammarly’s suggestions and explanations, which increased student engagement.
• Improved Autonomy in Learning: Students learned to recognize and correct grammar errors on their own, which increased their independence and confidence in their writing skills.

Successes and Difficulties:

Success: Students showed a greater understanding of grammatical rules and how to apply them in writing, which improved the overall coherence and clarity of their work.

Challenges: Some students initially had trouble understanding and applying Grammarly’s input correctly, which occasionally caused confusion and mistakes in their revisions.

The use of AI in teaching has pros and cons. Here are some of the positives and cons of AI in education:

https://x.com/MsTrinidad301/status/1716105016241537145?s=20

Pros:

Personalized Learning: AI can tailor learning paths and provide adaptive feedback to improve student learning.

Efficiency & Time Saving: AI systems can automate administrative work, grading, and data analysis, freeing teachers to focus on student interactions, class planning, and creativity.

AI can provide access to a wide range of educational tools and information, allowing students to investigate many subjects and themes beyond typical classroom resources.

AI-powered interactive tools and platforms can improve student engagement through gamification, simulations, and immersive learning experiences while making education more fun and effective.

Cons:

Over-Reliance on Technology: Overusing AI may reduce students’ critical thinking, problem-solving, autonomous learning, and creativity.

Privacy and Security: Using AI in classrooms raises concerns about student data breaches and exploitation.

Cost and Infrastructure: AI technologies demand large investments in infrastructure, software, and training, which may not be possible for many educational institutions, especially those with minimal resources.

Ethics and Bias: AI systems can acquire biases from their designers or datasets, which can lead to discrimination and reinforce social preconceptions. To create egalitarian learning environments, these prejudices must be addressed.