Dear reader,
Here you will find five articles from 2023 that we recommend reading. However, let’s be honest—this is merely a curated selection. While we strongly recommend the articles below, feel free to explore all the AI-related content available on the M&L website.
What ties these five articles together is the concept of (Gen)AI as an opportunity for learning. That’s precisely why we’ve chosen them. Too often, we encounter doomsday scenarios in (popular) media. These selected articles, while addressing criticism and critical remarks, strive to inform us about the possibilities and opportunities that (Gen)AI presents.
We hope you have as much reading pleasure as we had – Andy Thys, KU Leuven, Belgium & Chair of SIG on AI in Higher Education
ChatGPT and VR – Changing the Way We Learn Soft Skills by by Sophie Thompson, VirtualSpeech, UK. Article published in January 2023.
In this article, Sophie Thompson explores how AI and virtual reality (VR) merge to revolutionize skill development. Through immersive VR simulations enriched by ChatGPT’s conversational abilities, users practice realistic scenarios, receiving personalised feedback. Benefits include enhanced engagement, scalability, and accessibility. Thompson illustrates use cases, like performance reviews and job interviews, where VR and ChatGPT refine soft skills. Despite current limitations, the potential for lifelike interactions fosters excitement about future applications. As technology rapidly evolves, the synergy between VR and AI promises transformative learning experiences, shaping the future of skill acquisition.
Developing Career-Ready Graduates: The Importance of AI Literacy Across the Curriculum by Jane Southworth & Kati Migliaccio, University of Florida, USA. Article published in May 2023
This article explores the University of Florida’s (UF) initiative, AI Across the Curriculum, aimed at integrating AI literacy across undergraduate education. UF’s program involves all 16 colleges, recent AI faculty hires, and new computing infrastructure, preparing students for the evolving job market through innovative partnerships and increased internship opportunities. By emphasising understanding, application, evaluation, and ethics in AI, UF aims to equip students with essential 21st-century skills, serving as a model for other institutions.
Keeping education relevant in times of change by Dr Patrick Camilleri, University of Malta, Malta. Article published in June 2023
Dr. Patrick Camilleri, from the University of Malta, delves into the evolving relationship between technology and education, particularly within the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (IR 4.0). Emphasising the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping work dynamics, he advocates for an education system that adapts to the demands of the digital age. Dr. Camilleri advocates for a shift towards personalised learning experiences, drawing parallels with students’ engagement patterns on social media platforms. He underscores the role of educators as facilitators in this transition, highlighting the need for educational models to mirror external realities to remain relevant in today’s rapidly changing landscape.
AI in schools: beyond the hype to real-world adoption by Mutlu Cukurova, University College London, UK. Article published in September 2023
In this article Cukurova explores the practical integration of AI in education, focusing on teachers’ perspectives. The article highlights key factors affecting adoption of AI, including workload, trust, ease of use, and ethical concerns. It emphasises the need for solutions that prioritize teachers’ needs to realise AI’s transformative potential in classrooms.
Exploring 101 ideas: open book of early AI experiments by educators, students, and researchers by Chrissi Nerantzi, Sandra Abegglen, Marianna Karatsiori, Antonio Martínez-Arboleda. Article published in October 2023
The article introduces a collaborative initiative resulting in an open-access collection featuring 101 creative resources for integrating AI into educational practices. Highlighting the iterative nature of creativity, the authors underscore the significance of experimentation and collaboration in unlocking AI’s potential to enrich teaching and learning experiences in higher education. They emphasise the importance of ongoing exploration and collective efforts to harness AI’s transformative impact on education.
In 2023, the Media & Learning newsletter featured 21 articles discussing the use and adoption of AI in education. Recognising their lasting value, the Media & Learning secretariat together with the AI in Higher Education special interest group members have curated this selection offering a variety of perspectives on AI’s enduring impact on teaching, learning, and institutional practices.
