AI is on the rise in education, and studies find that almost all students—92% to be exact—are using it in one way or another as part of their studies.
Even though there are concerns about plagiarism, bias, and over-dependency, AI tools present unique opportunities for faculty and students alike—when used responsibly. And let’s face it: these tools are here to stay, with AI now described as ‘critical infrastructure,’ so it’s crucial that universities know how to embrace them.
AI solutions are showing huge promise in revolutionizing students’ learning experiences, for the better. In fact, world-renowned organizations like UNESCO feel positive enough about it that they’ve pledged their commitment to supporting AI adoption in education.
Enter Wooclap, a world-leading provider offering a suite of pedagogical tools to help people train and learn. Specifically, Wooclap empowers educators to make the learning experience more interactive and intuitive so that students can better engage and retain knowledge. Today, a growing community of 3 million educators in leading institutions like HEC Paris, Duke University, and the University of Edinburgh is shaping the future of education with Wooclap.
Through their extensive experience, Wooclap has become a pioneering expert in the best practices universities should adopt to maximize student engagement with AI. Based on this, here are the four best AI practices to drive engaged learning and power performance.
Personalize content for stronger student success
AI’s capabilities to drive personalized learning should not be underestimated. Moreover, a personalized experience is something that more people are expecting in our digitalized world, particularly among younger generations. Personalized learning is one of the key areas educators are expecting the most impact from AI tools.
For instance, faculty at the Hamad Bin Khalifa University in Qatar have been applying AI to tailor content and materials that resonate with students’ needs so they’re more engaged. According to George Mikros, Professor and Computational Linguist, “AI allows us to adapt education to individual students’ needs. It’s about creating materials that resonate with how they engage best.”
Educators can use AI platforms to keep pace with each student’s individual learning needs and help create study plans to maximize their potential. That could include recommending tailored exercises or generating personalized quizzes as part of revision in a clear pathway to academic improvement. AI platforms add that extra layer of support that can make all the difference to making a student feel seen and heard.
Gamify learning for stronger interaction
Sometimes the thrill of learning isn’t always there, especially when students feel very detached from highly theoretical content. Gamification through AI-powered simulations is a great way to get students more engaged with what they’re learning.
The University of Talca in Chile has been doing just that for STEM students to test hypotheses and explore real-world outcomes in a controlled environment. “These simulations bring concepts to life. Instead of passively reading, students interact with scenarios, test their ideas, and see immediate results,” explains Felipe Andrés Besoain, Vice-Rector for Digital Transformation.
It’s exactly that dynamic, real-life interaction that is transforming how students are engaging with their studies. Instead of being passive bystanders, they’re more empowered to actively participate.
Enhance student performance with real-time feedback
It’s no secret that student growth is propelled by feedback. However, providing it in a timely manner is often a major administrative challenge for universities with massive student bodies.
That’s why Rovira i Virgili University in Spain has adopted AI assessment tools to address this challenge head-on. They’re using AI to help analyze oral presentations, giving students immediate feedback on areas like tone, clarity, and even pacing.
That real-time feedback on an individual basis is a game-changer in helping students continuously improve their skills. It’s also rewarding to see positive feedback, which can really help as a confidence booster and motivator.
Recognize that AI is an enhancer, not a replacement
Fortunately, most educators share this view, too, with 60% of teachers predicting that there’ll be widespread use of AI, but it won’t become a replacement. At the end of the day, teacher-student interaction is sacred to a meaningful learning experience for all.
That’s why universities must adopt AI tools responsibly.
- First, AI shouldn’t be used as a separate crutch but rather as an enhancer to existing strategies.
- Next, students and faculty alike need to be familiarized with best practices for using these tools: That includes building human-centric skills like critical thinking, creativity, and the ability to strategize.
- Finally, universities should measure how AI is fuelling student engagement to avoid it becoming another means of passive participation. That could include monitoring student sentiment towards the tools through surveys or assessing how AI helps improve exam performance.
With these practices, universities can build the right foundation for maximizing student engagement with the help of AI. Crucially, these tools aren’t here to replace the human role, but rather enhance educational experiences so that students are more engaged and faculty more empowered.
