Running head: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE & EDUCATION IN 2017 1

The Use of Artificial Intelligence as an Emerging Trend in Instructional Design

Kamar K. Maxwell

ID #03015654

EDID6506

UWI Open Campus

June 20, 2017

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The Use of Artificial Intelligence as an Emerging Trend in Instructional Design

Introduction & Background of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence has become a fixture in our everyday lives including Siri by Apple,

Cortana by Microsoft and Galaxy by Samsung. Artificial Intelligence also called AI, is the

science and engineering of making intelligent machines, especially intelligent computer

programs. It is related to the similar task of using computers to understand human intelligence,

but AI does not have to confine itself to methods that are biologically observable (McCarthy,

2007). AI utilizes content and concepts from different fields such as neuroscience, computer

science, mathematics and even psychology to create smart machines. Sixty-two years later, the

use of AI is integral to the success of Adaptive Learning, Augmented and Virtual Reality in

education so for this reason it is considered an emerging trend. Additionally, deep and machine

Learning has contributed to its prominence in the technology arena.

Innovators of the Trend

Artificial Intelligence was a term coined by John McCarthy in 1955 and was the topic of

his presentation at the Dartmouth Conference to fellow AI enthusiast. His proposal to Dartmouth,

where he was an assistant professor of Mathematics, was to undertake study on AI also including

his colleagues- M. L. Minsky- Harvard University, N. Rochester, I.B.M. Corporation and C.E.

Shannon Bell- Telephone Laboratories. That conference culminated with demonstration proving

that AI is possible.
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Relevance to field of Instructional Design & Distance Education. The use of

Artificial Intelligence in instructional design and distance education will be ubiquitous in the

future. It is important for stakeholders in the field to become knowledgeable of its potential use

and prepared to integrate it into common practice. As instructional designers, our role is to

identify the skills, knowledge and the attitude gaps of a targeted audience and to create, select

and suggest learning experiences that close this gap" (Malamed,2010). The use of AI will

increase our productivity by carrying out those procedures quickly and effectively while

simultaneously change the role of the instructional designer.

Facilitation of Adaptive Learning & Personalized Instruction

Due to the limitations of humans, a learning and content management system (LCMS) created by

the instructional designer will be generic to all users. With the presence of AI within the LCMS,

the system can continuously change to meet the needs of the learner because of its fast-paced

data collection and analysis. Therefore, the student interaction with the LCMS will mimic that of

a personal instructor that gives real time feedback and provides multiple modalities for learning.

Additionally, AI can build confidence as the learner is interacting with a system that understands

and facilitates trial and error. The embarrassment of getting an answer incorrect in a room filled

with your peers is eliminated.

Administering Assessment & Feedback

The teacher or trainer may also benefit from AI as the time-consuming task of grading open

ended or essay questions can be created as a part of the LCMS. The AI will have the capabilities

of creation of a suitable rubric and correcting the scripts. This can also eliminate biases that exist

is grading of student scripts and feedback will be timely.

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Machine Learning
Machine Learning is a current application of AI based around the idea that we should really just

be able to give machines access to data and let them learn for themselves (Marr, 2016). The

machine will possibly be used to develop and maintain a LCMS.

Evidence of Artefacts & Examples of Potential Use of Artificial Intelligence

Illustration 1

Retrieved from www.researchpublish.com

Jewel has her AP History exam in a few weeks. The AI embedded in the LCMS will put together

notes, create and grade practice quizzes, provide reminders, develop a study plan and engage in

study sessions with Jewel. The machine can source AP questions of previous years and even

generate similar questions at various levels to challenge or reinforce History concepts.

Illustration 2- AI & VR (virtual reality)

VR is an artificial, computer-generated simulation or recreation of a real-life environment

or situation (Lindsay,2015). As an instructional designer, we can incorporate both trends into a

training programme. The learner doing an art history course will be transported to The Louvre as

the AI acts as the tour guide. AI of different computers can also link and provide additional

sources. The student preparing for a practical chemistry examination can be given the option to
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watch a video or carry out an experiment. The machine will assess and provide detailed feedback

of errors and possible improvements.

Reflection

Having completed this research paper I have learned that as an instructional designer it is

imperative to keep abreast of the developments in the field. This can be done through joining and

international community and attend conferences. I did not enjoy this assignment as many trends

have been around although some were new to me. Initially, I opted to do assignment 1 but found

it difficult to secure an interview with a company that is using VR to make history and other

subjects interesting. I sent out multiple emails and was directed to a review that showcased

recent used of VR in education. However, with no luck with the interviews I ended up doing the

researcher paper on VR but I believe than VR in the future cannot exist without AI. Then after

weeks of uncertainty I chose Artificial Intelligence. The difficulties in securing interviews also

propelled me to try and network within the field. The field is small but will be growing as

technology becomes an important part of teaching and learning.

As I read the rubric, it became difficult for me to differentiate between the relevance of

AI and the uses of AI in Instructional design. Both seems to be interwoven as the uses make AI

more relevant to instructional design. Lastly, the most interesting aspect of the AI story is that

even though it was thought about 60 years ago its applications are becoming more meaningful

and making a much bigger impact as time goes by. That is a trend that has sustained itself as well

as revitalizes itself as the possibilities are endless.

Conclusion

Instructional Designers will not be replaced by AI. Instead we will become an integral part of the

effective use of AI in education either face to face, online or blended. AI has afforded a plethora
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of possibilities that have created new jobs for the persons will to evolve. Education has not fully

reaped the benefits of AI but the future is optimistic as adaptive and personalized learning

become the norm.

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Self -Assessment

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References

Lindsay, L. (2015, October 16). Virtual Reality vs Augmented Reality. Retrieved from

http://www.augment.com/blog/virtual-reality-vs-augmented-reality/

Malamed, C. (2010, January 6). What instructional designers do is it a career for you? Retrieved

from http://theelearningcoach.com/elearning_design/is-this-instructional-

design/?utm_campaign=elearningindustry.com&utm_source=%2Fwhat-role-of-the-instructional-

designer&utm_medium=link

Marr, R. (2016, December 6). What is the difference between Artificial Intelligence and Machine

Learning? Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2016/12/06/what-is-the-

difference-between-artificial-intelligence-and-machine-learning/#10a6de6c2742

McCarthy, J. (2007, November 12). What is artificial intelligence? Retrieved from http://www-

formal.stanford.edu/jmc/whatisai/