MOE's AI Tools: Transforming Education & Enhancing Learning

Published Date: 29/07/2024

Discover how AI-powered tools are transforming the way students learn and teachers teach in Singaporean schools

The Ministry of Education (MOE) has been at the forefront of integrating technology and artificial intelligence (AI) into the education system. As part of its EdTech Masterplan, launched in September 2023, the MOE has introduced five AI-powered tools to enhance the learning experience for students and make teaching more efficient for educators. These tools include three marking systems that provide instant feedback, an adaptive learning system that offers personalized learning pathways, and an Authoring Copilot that assists teachers with lesson planning. But how do these tools work, and what benefits do they bring to the learning landscape?

To find out more, we spoke to four teachers and two developers from the MOE's educational technology team. According to Mr. Nicholas Wong, lead specialist at the technologies for learning branch at MOE's educational technology division, the math assistant offers hints and suggested marks, guiding students through their answers rather than just checking the final result. The English language version corrects grammar, spelling, and sentence structure, while the short answer assistant corrects answers across subjects such as geography and science, freeing up teachers to assist with more challenging content.

The adaptive learning system (ALS) provides personalized learning for students based on how they respond to questions and activities as they learn a topic. All these tools are rolled out through the Singapore Student Learning Space (SLS), an online learning portal that provides resources for both students and teachers.

The primary goal of these tools is to create a personalized learning experience for each student, said Mr. Gerald Ajam, lead specialist at the technologies for learning branch at MOE's educational technology division. By customizing the platforms and enabling teachers to do the same, these tools aim to complement the professionalism of the teacher.

Teachers have been generally positive about the impact of these tools on their teaching practices. Ms. Lilian Teo, biology subject head at Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School, uses the short answer feedback assistant to input questions and answers into online quizzes on SLS. She says that the tool provides immediate feedback, which she can refine to better support student learning. Mrs. Melissa Chew from St Hilda's Primary School uses the ALS tool to help upper primary pupils with their math revision. She says that the system profiles students into pathways according to their level of competence in the subject based on their responses.

However, as with all tools, teacher discretion is still needed. Madam Wong Mei Ting, a senior mother tongue teacher at Anderson Primary School, uses the Authoring Copilot to generate ideas and standardize her lessons. She notes that the tool helps her with tasks that are slightly more time-consuming, like creating quizzes, allowing her to focus more on teaching and interacting with students.

While there are benefits to using these tools, such as immediate feedback and higher motivation to learn, teachers also acknowledge that there are drawbacks. For instance, teachers still need to manually review the machine's feedback, and AI may not always accurately assess student responses.

To ensure that teachers and students are equipped to use these AI tools effectively, the MOE provides training programs for educators. Teachers in training at the National Institute of Education (NIE) have to attend a compulsory course on technology, which covers AI and data analytics for education. Additionally, teachers share resources across and within schools, and attend training by MOE's EdTech division where they learn how to use each tool and how to troubleshoot if necessary.

As Madam Wong notes, it is essential for teachers to continue learning and be interested in these technologies to use the tools well and teach their students effectively.

FAQS:

Q: What is the EdTech Masterplan?

A: The EdTech Masterplan is a plan launched by the Ministry of Education (MOE) in September 2023 to adopt technology and artificial intelligence (AI) into how students learn.

Q: What are the five AI-powered tools introduced by the MOE?

A: The five AI-powered tools introduced by the MOE are three marking systems that provide instant feedback, an adaptive learning system that offers personalized learning pathways, and an Authoring Copilot that assists teachers with lesson planning.

Q: How do the AI-powered tools benefit students?

A: The AI-powered tools provide immediate feedback to students, which helps them learn faster and motivates them to learn. They also provide personalized learning experiences that cater to individual students' needs.

Q: How do teachers use the AI-powered tools?

A: Teachers use the AI-powered tools to create quizzes and assignments, provide instant feedback to students, and plan lessons. They also use the tools to track student progress and identify areas where students need additional support.

Q: How are teachers trained to use the AI-powered tools?

A: Teachers are trained to use the AI-powered tools through compulsory courses on technology, which cover AI and data analytics for education. They also receive training from the MOE's EdTech division and share resources across and within schools.

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