Multi-awarding-winning educator, Mr Lanre Oguntoye, has said the use of Artificial Intelligence in teaching will make teaching more efficient.
He, thereby, advised African educators to adopt and embrace AI rather than watch and worry as new trends in technology unfold.
Oguntoye, an assistant principal at Greensprings School, Anthony Campus, is a celebrated educator with multiple awards from reputable educational institutions such as Cambridge University Press & Assessment and Suraasa (International Teachers’ Olympiad).
He gave this advice during a recent webinar titled, ‘Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,’ which was organised by Greensprings Training College.
In his words, “Everyone is on a learning curve when it comes to AI. Thus, it is important for educators in Africa not to take the back seat.
As the whole world is embracing AI, we also need to do so as individuals and at an institutional level and not play the catchup game, that is coming to terms with AI after the world has moved to something more advanced.”
Building on his recommendation, Oguntoye highlighted the educational journey from the use of chalkboards, audio-visuals, computers, and digital technology to the now-emerging Artificial Intelligence.
He disclosed that learning experiences can now be optimised to suit each learner’s needs with technologies like AI-powered tutors, personalised learning platforms, automated grading systems, adaptive learning algorithms, and intelligent virtual assistants.
According to him, adopting the necessary mind shift will help educators appreciate AI and incorporate it into their teaching practices. Some of the required mindsets that he mentioned include “Accepting change and understanding that strategies and methods keep on evolving, focusing on the strengths of AI, deliberating working against its weaknesses, and discouraging its abuse.”
In addition, he encouraged educators to tutor their students on how to use AI intelligently rather than abuse its use.
“For instance, guiding the students in creating brilliant prompts on chatbots to help with their learning exercises and using AI to generate useful flashcards to aid revision,” he said.
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