Podcast Series: Innovations in Education

Explore the full series of eCampus News podcasts hosted by Kevin Hogan—created to keep you on the cutting edge of innovations in education.

Crunch the numbers: The latest edtech data on AI tools, international students, and online learning perceptions

Anthology, a leading provider of education solutions that support the entire learner lifecycle, announced this month the results of its 2023 global research study: Comparing Global University Mindsets and Student Expectations. The survey results reveal the perceptions and realities of generative AI use among university leaders and students in the U.S., and how they differ from colleagues in other parts of the world based on a survey of more than 5,000 current students and university leaders across 11 countries.

AI use among U.S. students growing but lags global peers
The survey revealed intriguing differences in the adoption of generative AI tools, like ChatGPT, among university students in the United States compared to their peers in other countries. Overall, 38% of students in the United States reported using generative AI tools frequently or occasionally.

While the U.S. has a lower percentage of frequent users of AI writing tools on a weekly basis (10% compared to a global average of 23%), a higher proportion are occasional users (monthly use) (28%). The study also highlights a comparable rate of experimentation with AI tools between the U.S. and other countries. However, a significant percentage of U.S. students remain unfamiliar with or do not use generative AI writing tools, marking a significant divergence in adoption (22% of students in the United States vs. 12% of students in other countries surveyed).…Read More

AI in action

It’s one thing to talk about AI. Who isn’t? Then there is Professor Daniel Nathanson from the Anderson School of Management at UCLA, who can talk about how he actually uses it, right now, in his classes.

Nathanson helped pilot an AI tool from Breakout Learning, an edtech company that helps educators moderate and grade scenario-based, small-group discussions. The tool acts as a consultant, offering suggestions and synopses, making grading more meaningful over time. The tech also aids in understanding how deeply students engage with case issues and fosters more meaningful class discussions.

I had the chance to discuss with Dan how the method reinvents the way he teaches and assesses students in large classes. While it’s not perfect, he says it significantly enhances the teaching experience by helping him focus on key learning points, encourages active participation, and fosters in-depth discussions. Have a listen and scroll down for more details.…Read More

Tomorrow’s English assessment: It’s still about the people

Technology such as generative AI is shaking up the English teaching and learning sector, but it cannot replace the social and emotional aspect of teaching English, according to an expert from Cambridge. Dr Evelina Galaczi from Cambridge University Press & Assessment recently said that AI can enhance the learning experience, but teachers will continue to play a very crucial role in the future.  

‘We’re seeing more AI tools such as ChatGPT in classrooms, Virtual Reality letting us learn in distant worlds and computer games taking learning to the next level,’ commented Galaczi. She continued: ‘While these are all fantastic innovations and we’re really embracing them in Cambridge, we’re not going to rush in and cut corners to suit the technology. This means that teachers will continue to play a really crucial role in the English language classroom.’  

Dr Galaczi recently presented Cambridge’s seven key principles for successfully integrating AI into the English language classroom. One of these principles is to ensure that the quality and scope of language assessments and learning resources are maintained. A big part of achieving this is to use technology to enhance education, but not to let it determine the educational approach. She also stressed the importance of more teacher training to get AI ready. She commented:  …Read More

Crunch the Numbers—the Latest Edtech Data You Can Use Right Now

McGraw Hill announced the release this month of its second annual McGraw Hill Study Trends Report examining student and instructor opinions on changing study habits, mental health concerns, student use of digital tools and more. The survey, conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of McGraw Hill, shows that while the pandemic may seem to be in the rearview mirror, the impact of learning loss on students is still gaining strength. The survey showed a sizable increase in the number of students who indicate that feeling unprepared for courses heading into the semester is the biggest obstacle to their success – up from 11% to 21% since last year. One in five students also report that learning loss caused by the pandemic has had a negative impact on their education and college preparedness.

The 2023 McGraw Hill Study Trends Report showed a sizable increase in the number of students who indicate that feeling unprepared for courses heading into the semester is the biggest obstacle to their success – up from 11% to 21% since last year.

The McGraw Hill Study Trends Report captured the views of over 500 U.S. undergraduate students and 200 college instructors on how study habits have evolved since the pandemic began. The study also found that students are increasingly turning to social media and emerging generative AI tools to supplement their course materials, with an overwhelming majority of students (80%) using ChatGPT and social media for study help.…Read More

Navigating the AI revolution: Education and ethics take center stage

When the University of Florida (UF) announced its new Artificial Intelligence Academic Initiative Center in March of 2022, some would say that was before AI in its current iteration was cool. 18 months and one supercomputer later, everyone will say they were right on time. 

UF Associate Provost for Strategic Initiatives David Reed is in the middle of it. He is the campus focal point for academic activity at the university related to AI and data science, including the coordination and development of programs and certificates; the identification of opportunities for faculty and students to engage with AI; the co-organization of seminars and conferences; the development of an AI Scholars program; and partnerships with UF’s Career Connections Center, the Florida College System and private industry that will promote an AI-ready workforce and help businesses integrate AI into their current processes. 

I had the pleasure to discuss his work and its potential for higher education along with edtech veteran and visionary Andrew Pass. The toughest part of hosting this conversation was to end it. Have a listen:…Read More

Believing the hope, not the hype, of AI

How much longer will our newsfeeds be stuffed with headlines either extolling AI as the greatest thing since sliced bread or damning it as a sign of the coming education apocalypse? It’s going to be a while I’m afraid. In the meantime, I suggest you listen to this insightful interview with Dr. Eric Wang, Vice President of AI at Turnitin, who puts much of the hoopla into context. 

Turnitin has been working in AI since before it was cool—25 years this month. The company’s tools are built into popular learning management system (LMS) workflows across 16,000 institutions, in 140 countries, and used by over 40 million students at both the k-12 and higher ed level. In April 2023, Turnitin launched its AI writing detection tool, which as of July 2023 has processed over 76 million paper submissions.

Eric conjures a future where AI detection tools in education serve as a means to foster learning and growth rather than a gotcha app meant to punish or shame students. The goal is not to discourage AI use but to teach students how to use the tool effectively while valuing authentic human work. Click below to listen and scroll down for some takeaways and other resources offered by Turnitin.…Read More

The Future of Canvas

Drop the company name Instructure on the average educator and you may get a blank stare in return. Now mention the company’s flagship product Canvas and be ready for a flash of instant recognition. Founded in 2008, Instructure reports having more than 6000 customer organizations with more than 35 million users around the world in both K12 and higher education.

I had the opportunity to attend InStructure Con23 in Denver last month—the company’s first user conference since the pandemic—and met many educators, partner companies, and senior leadership including Chief Product Officer Shiren Vijiasingam, Ryan Lufkin, Vice President of Global Strategy, and CEO Steve Daly. We hit on a number of topics that will affect the way educators and students teach and learn, including post-pandemic behaviors, student security, the pursuit of equitability and education, and the future of hybrid learning. Plus of course, AI, AI and yes, a little more AI. This was the first Innovations podcast recorded in person, but it certainly won’t be the last.

Steve Daly
Ryan Lufkin
Shiren Vijiasingam

More Highlights from InstructureCon23:…Read More

eCampus Live@ INSTRUCTURECON 2023

Breaking news out of day two at Instructure‘s professional learning event for educators and edtech users in Denver. The company announced a partnership with Khan Academy to integrate Khanmigo, Khan’s AI-powered student tutor and teaching assistantCanvas, into Canvas, the market-leading learning management system. We caught Instructure CEO Steve Daly just after the announcement to provide some context and provide a timeline for when Canvas will be updated with Khanmigo. Scroll down for more details and look for more in-depth conversations With Daly and other senior executives on the Innovation Insights podcast next week.

From the press release: This integrated solution will put the transformative power of generative AI into the hands of students and educators using the Canvas learning environment.

Generative AI represents an opportunity to enhance the role of technology in supporting educators and creating efficiencies in their day-to-day instruction. This new solution will harness this transformative moment by enabling educators with an integrated Khanmigo experience that supports human-driven, technology-enhanced essay feedback and grading, lesson planning and rubric creation. This solution is a large step forward in delivering personalization for each student while allowing busy educators to scale their excellence and impact in ways unimaginable a few short months ago.…Read More

Back office business: 5 big higher edtech deals this week

Key points:

  • There are new opportunities for students to access post-grad testing prep.
  • Universities worldwide are implementing new programs to advance both AI and robotics.
  • Online learning programs continue to expand even post-pandemic.

Spelman College, a global leader in the education of women of African descent, announced a new partnership with global educational services provider Kaplan that will provide Spelman students with free test prep courses for graduate-level admissions exams, including the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, and OAT.…Read More

More than just AI—Kathe Pelletier of EDUCAUSE on the 2023 Horizon Report

Key points:

  • Expert panelists identified AI as a trend and key technology in higher ed, all before ChatGPT exploded
  • Beyond AI, however, are trends around students demanding more flexibility, plus political or environmental trends that might influence campus operations
  • See related article: IT leaders are critical for a positive student experience

Who knew this century could see an acronym as pervasive, and scary, as COVID-19? Congratulations AI (let’s assume I don’t have to spell that out for you). Its advent has taken over society’s consciousness—for better or worse. And the education space is front and center as either the greatest benefactor or the first victim of our new AI overlords.

Thankfully, the experts involved with the EDUCAUSE 2023 Horizon Report are on the case, clarifying and specifying the potential and pitfalls of not only AI but other ascending models of higher ed learning like Hyperflex. Their methodology as described in the report:…Read More