MANILA, Philippines — Artificial intelligence (AI) technology and all the other new technologies cannot replace teachers in education, an education technology expert has said.
Ryan Lufkin, vice president of global strategy of US-based education technology giant Instructure, said that AI, when harnessed in the most constructive way, can greatly enhance the power of teachers in facilitating optimum learning for their students in the classroom, whether in a traditional or virtual setting.
“Just as we have seen other revolutionary tools like the calculator and the internet, none of those have replaced educators. We carry around smartphones that have access to all the world’s knowledge in our pockets. That still has not replaced educators,” Lufkin pointed out in a media briefing on the sidelines of yesterday’s Canvas Connect conference.
Spearheaded by Instructure, Canvas Connect is a forum for faculty and administrators of the country’s top universities and colleges already using Instructure’s Canvas learning management system (LMS).
“Educators are guides to learning, helping us understand those pathways to learning,” Lufkin said.
“And I think AI... will provide a more personalized experience, and will amplify the power of teachers. And that goes whether you are a librarian, an educator, a teacher in every level. Adopting the AI tools completely will amplify the educational experience,” he said.
“I really don’t think we will see a world where educators will not be at the center of that experience,” Lufkin added.
Instructure’s Canvas LMS has seen an increase in users from among the country’s top universities and colleges, especially during the pandemic, as higher education institutions scrambled to tap remote learning technologies and LMS platforms to facilitate remote learning amid the pandemic lockdowns.
Four of the country’s Top 10 universities – the University of Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, De La Salle University and the University of Santo Tomas – have adopted Instructure’s Canvas LMS.
In the US, Instructure boasts that all eight of the so-called Ivy League universities and the entire California college system use their Canvas LMS which features exclusive mobile apps for educators, students and even their parents.
In the Philippines, the most recent institution to tap the Canvas LMS was UST, deciding to adopt the platform to improve collaboration, implement academic and technological advancements and meet changing student and faculty needs.
Enrollment
A little over a week before the opening of classes on Aug. 29, the number of students enrolled in public and private elementary and high schools is still below the Department of Education (DepEd)’s target of 28 million.
As of Aug. 21, the DepEd’s quick count from its Learning Information System showed that only 16.8 million have so far enrolled for the upcoming school year.
Region 4-A had the greatest number of enrolled students at 2,858,606, followed by the National Capital Region at 2,220,470 and Region 3 with 1,868,161.
They were followed by Region 6 with 1,435,047, Region 7 with 1,255,918 and Region 5 with 1,033,543.
There were 28.7 million students enrolled in basic education last year, with around 24 million in public schools.
The DepEd said enrollment for the upcoming school year will continue until Aug. 26.
Students of Alternative Learning System can also enroll in their respective barangays or the nearest community learning centers or public schools, the agency added.
In an earlier department memorandum, Education Undersecretary Michael Poa said all public and private schools should update or encode the students’ profile in the agency’s Learner Information System using the updated Basic Education Enrollment Form.
“Schools division superintendents and school heads shall facilitate the conduct of advocacy campaigns within their respective jurisdictions to inform the general public and encourage parents/guardians of prospective learners to enroll their child for SY 2023-2024 by posting relevant materials in conspicuous places and through announcements in local televisions and radio broadcasting stations,” said Poa.
The deadline for the submission of documentary requirements in both public and private schools is on Oct. 31.