New Teachers for Children: AI and Chatbots
In recent years, AI has taken more and more place in our daily lives. Education is not excluded and it is important to note how AI is developing at a lightning speed in this field. In 2006, the first revolution was made in the academic world with the creation of the 1st MOOC (Massive Online Open Courses) by Salman Khan, who launched the “Khan Academy”, whose purpose was to make short videos for school use on YouTube. In 2014, Google launched “Google Classroom”, a free learning platform dedicated to schools that aims to simplify the creation and dissemination of online courses and exercises. In 2020, during the COVID-19 crisis, the urgency of online educational tools has arisen. This is why programmers are looking to develop AI by offering chatbots, which are computer programs using natural language processing to simulate a conversation with human users. Many people are for this massive development of chatbots for educational purposes, Bill Gates for example. In this article, it will be important to see how chatbots improve children’s learning of reading, and we will also study the outcomes of this innovative tool.
The primary objective of chatbots is to serve as advisors to students, they adapt to the student’s abilities to provide a personalized pace of learning, they do not replace the human teacher but rather will help him in his work to contribute to the full development of the child. The main existing chatbots in the educational field and more specifically reading are ChatGPT, Youchat, Magicwrite, and Hugging Chat. Regarding reading, chatbots will be able to develop the pronunciation and vocabulary of young learners. They will be able to identify student gaps and provide feedback to optimize their learning. For example, chatbots can simulate a virtual environment that allows students to interact with each other in a specific language to improve the use of that language and its culture. Chatbots will allow students to learn the nuances of a language as well as its idioms. According to Bill Gates, chatbots will certainly teach children to read and also improve their writing skills. Indeed, for him, “AI will achieve this ability, to be as good a tutor as any human being”[1]. This is thanks to the fact that chatbots now have “a mastery of reading and writing”[2]. Finally, a last advantage of chatbots is that they will be cheaper than private teachers who can cost 20 -30 dollars an hour, which encourages the use of chatbots for children’s learning.
Admittedly, the benefits of AI and chatbots in particular in learning to read are many, but there is a stake to consider. Not all children have access to the Internet today. In 2022,2.7 billion people did not have access to the Internet, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. If the use of chatbots becomes widespread, how will these people be able to access the internet as part of their studies? This then raises the problem of inequalities that exist in our world. Before generalizing the use of chatbots and AI, it would be wiser to ensure that everyone has access to it. It is for this reason that the objective of the World Literacy Foundation is to guarantee to each child, whatever his geographical situation, the possibility of acquiring literacy skills to reach his full potential.
In conclusion, we must still recognize that chatbots will be indisputable tools for students in their studies. Its results are clear: chatbots boost student learning, provide better results, and take less time to teach the learner a concept. For Bill Gates, in a year, chatbots will be capable of more educational achievements[1]. It would be important to continue to develop them while ensuring that they do not create inequalities or other consequences.
Author: Jésus-Marie BAPFUBUSA SIAPZE, Student in Master’s degree (Digital Politics & Governance) at ESPOL-CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF LILLE.
Source: ASU + GSV Summit. Available at: https://www.asugsvsummit.com/. Accessed on 31st October 2023.
Gatesnotes, “ASU AND GSC”. Available at: https://www.gatesnotes.com/ASU-and-GSV?WT.mc_id=20230419100000_ASU-GSV-2023_BG-EM_&WT.tsrc=BGEM. Accessed on 31st October 2023.
CNBC(2023), “Bill Gates AI chatbots will teach kids how to read within 18 months”. Available at: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/22/bill-gates-ai-chatbots-will-teach-kids-how-to-read-within-18-months.html. Accessed on 31st October 2023.
[1] CNBC(2023), “Bill Gates AI chatbots will teach kids how to read within 18 months”. Available at: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/22/bill-gates-ai-chatbots-will-teach-kids-how-to-read-within-18-months.html . Accessed on 31st October 2023.
[2] Gatesnotes, “ASU AND GSC”. Available at: https://www.gatesnotes.com/ASU-and-GSV?WT.mc_id=20230419100000_ASU-GSV-2023_BG-EM_&WT.tsrc=BGEM . Accessed on 31st October 2023.
Empowering Kids Through Storybooks
Empowering Kids Through Storybooks
The"The Truth About Reading" is a powerful documentary that sheds light on the heart-wrenching reality of illiteracy in America. It highlights the pervasive struggles individuals face in reading and addresses the challenges within educational institutions. Shocking statistics reveal the alarming rates of functional illiteracy among adults and the high school dropout rate. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on literacy issues is emphasized.
The World Literacy Foundation and USA Reads are proactive organizations working to combat illiteracy. The "Read for Wellness" initiative by USA Reads provides crucial literacy support to children facing adversities, including those in hospitals, foster care, and resettling from displacement. Recognizing the transformative power of books, the program aims to enhance emotional well-being and equip children with the tools needed to thrive academically and personally, ensuring they can flourish despite their circumstances. These efforts underscore the importance of improving literacy rates and facilitating access to educational resources for a brighter future.
In the fast-paced world of modern healthcare, hospitals across the United States are recognizing the importance of holistic patient care. Beyond medical treatment, the concept of "reading for wellness" has emerged as an innovative approach to support the well-being of patients, and Kindles are playing a crucial role in this endeavor.
Reading has long been celebrated for its ability to transport readers to different worlds, alleviate stress, and promote relaxation. In the context of healthcare, reading can serve as a source of comfort and distraction, especially for patients facing lengthy hospital stays or chronic illnesses. It can also enhance mental well-being, reduce anxiety, and improve overall patient experiences.
Kindle, developed by Amazon, is a pioneer in the world of e-readers. Its lightweight design, impressive battery life, and vast library of e-books make it an ideal device for healthcare settings. Hospitals across the United States are embracing Kindle as a tool to facilitate the reading-for-wellness initiative.
The Truth About Reading
The Invisible Crisis Hiding In Plain Sight" is a documentary presented by John Corcoran of the John Corcoran Foundation and Nick Nanton, ESQ. of DNAFilms. The documentary aims to ignite a movement advocating for high-level literacy for all individuals. It sheds light on the widespread crisis of illiteracy and sub-literacy that affects every aspect of society, aiming to educate and motivate viewers through research and inspiring storytelling of individuals who have overcome reading difficulties.
The vision of the documentary is to create a society where every individual possesses strong literacy skills, empowering them to succeed in various aspects of life. It highlights alarming statistics, such as 54% of adults between 16 and 74 years old lacking proficiency in literacy and 65% of 4th graders in the US not meeting proficiency standards.
John Corcoran, a former high school history teacher with a history of reading difficulties, and Nick Nanton, the director and producer of the documentary, are passionate about addressing literacy issues. John Corcoran, through the John Corcoran Foundation, aims to prevent and eradicate illiteracy and sub-literacy, drawing from his personal experience of learning to read at the age of 48. Nick Nanton, a director with numerous documentaries and Emmy awards to his name, is committed to making a positive difference through his work.
The documentary's team plans to significantly impact literacy in society and is conducting a fundraising campaign to raise $500,000 to make the documentary a reality. Contributions can be made through The John Corcoran Foundation, a tax-exempt 501c3 organization. The timeline for the project involves completing filming, production, and distribution, aiming for a release on major streaming networks in the summer of 2023.
Overall, the documentary aims to raise awareness about the literacy crisis and inspire collective efforts to promote high-level literacy, ultimately creating a society where everyone has the skills to succeed in life.