Banning phones and relying on artificial intelligence... How is modern education changing?

 

School policies on the use of smartphones are undergoing rapid and noticeable changes. In Ontario, Canada, students are being asked not to use their phones during classes, and several European countries are moving in the same direction. In the United States, there is growing talk of adopting similar policies, with some members of Congress proposing to ban phones in schools nationwide. The main goal of these policies is to reduce mental distraction, enhance students ' concentration, and reduce negative effects on their mental health. Teachers have long complained that smartphones distract students, and with classroom interaction rates declining since 2019, according to many teachers, schools are under pressure to take concrete action. Many educational institutions have started this by imposing a ban on the use of telephones. But, banning phones does not mean moving away from screens completely; as technology has become an essential part of educational life, notebooks have been replaced by tablets and laptops. Students are using these tools to research, hand over assignments, and follow up on lessons. While these tools are useful, they present another distraction challenge, thanks to easy internet access and tab navigation. Teachers find themselves in a constant struggle to strike a balance between taking advantage of technology and controlling its use in the classroom. In addition, new teachers lack the necessary training to use educational technology effectively, with more than half saying they do not feel competent enough to manage it in the classroom. Artificial intelligence enters the educational landscape

With the rapid expansion of the use of artificial intelligence technologies, many teachers began to rely on them to help organize lessons, correct assignments, and provide feedback. According to a recent survey, about 62% of teachers in the United States and 60% in the United Kingdom use artificial intelligence in their daily educational tasks. It is no longer limited to the use of popular tools such as ChatGPT, but customized technologies have emerged that give teachers more ability to manage the classroom and monitor students ' use of technology. For example, ManagedMethods developed the “Classroom Manager” tool in collaboration with teachers to provide them with instant insight into how technology is used in the classroom. This tool enables teachers to track risky behaviors, suspend digital access when necessary, and maintain a safe learning environment. The main goal of this tool is not to take control away from the teacher, but to enhance their efficiency. It is designed to automate some tasks, saving time and increasing productivity. On the other hand, platforms such as MagicSchool seek to adopt artificial intelligence as an intelligent educational assistant, relieving teachers of the burden of planning and Correction, and giving them more time to concentrate on communicating with students. The company says that its main task is to reduce the psychological pressure on teachers, especially when working hours increase due to multiple administrative and pedagogical tasks. The platform also offers smart solutions that help teachers prepare customized tests and study plans, support students with special needs, and find strategies to deal with behavioral problems. More recently, the platform has also started targeting its services to students, by teaching them how to use artificial intelligence safely and responsibly. Artificial intelligence is in the hands of students.. Opportunities and challenges

President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order making AI education a national priority, calling for public-private partnerships to integrate AI into school curricula. In Canada, many schools have begun to integrate artificial intelligence education into the curriculum in an effort to prepare students for the future job market. But the Canadian Federation of Teachers expressed growing concern about the use of these technologies without clear regulations that protect student data, and take into account ethical and psychological issues. This came in conjunction with a report by Common Sense Media that recommended that children and adolescents should not use artificial intelligence applications designed to simulate friendship or emotional interaction. Although they are not educational tools, their growing popularity has caused great concern among parents and experts about their impact on the mental health of young people. This means that the widespread use of artificial intelligence tools in schools poses challenges, as is the case with phones, and appropriate measures must be taken to prevent the possible negative effects of integrating these tools into educational institutions. What's the next step

Taking phones out of the classroom addresses part of the problem, but other devices, apps, and smart platforms are opening new doors to more complex challenges. Technology has become a key element in modern education, and the important question now is: how to use it responsibly and usefully The solution lies in achieving a balance that makes technology a means of support, so that it is not a source of confusion for teachers and does not cause students to be distracted. Teachers, parents, and policy makers are all responsible for shaping the next stage of Education. Ultimately, the goal is for students to learn with the help of technology, and also to learn how to live with it in a way that prevents negative effects on mental health and academic performance.