AI for Education Newsletter

AIEN Issue #2 - Sept. 16th, 2024

Author

Thomas Bouwman
September 16, 2024 • Mental Processing Time: 4 minutes

In This Article

  • A Texas private school teaches students through AI.

  • Google launches Gemini's Contextual Smart Replies in Gmail, helping students and teachers save time on email communication.

  • IBM's SkillsBuild platform offers a free "Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals" course.

  • NotebookLM: An AI-powered research and note-taking tool by Google that enables quick summaries and deep content exploration.

  • Braincast: A platform that transforms web links and PDFs into interactive, Duolingo-style quizzes in seconds.

News and Highlights

A private school in Austin, Texas, is pioneering an educational approach that integrates artificial intelligence (AI) into its curriculum. This initiative aims to personalize learning experiences and enhance student engagement through AI-driven tools and methodologies.

Key Takeaways:

  • Personalized Learning: The school utilizes AI to tailor educational content to individual student needs, promoting a more customized learning journey.

  • Enhanced Engagement: AI tools are employed to make learning more interactive and engaging, capturing students' interests effectively.

  • Innovative Teaching Methods: The integration of AI represents a shift towards modernizing traditional educational practices, preparing students for a technology-driven future.

Why It Matters:

This example illustrates how AI can be effectively incorporated into educational settings to personalize learning and improve student engagement. Educators can draw inspiration from such initiatives to explore AI-driven tools and methodologies that enhance teaching effectiveness and prepare students for a technologically advanced world.

Google Launches Gemini's Contextual Smart Replies in Gmail, This update includes enhancements for Gmail, providing more contextual and personalized replies. It is available to Education subscribers, which can help educators and students save time on email communications.

Key Takeaways:

  • Enhanced Response Suggestions: Unlike the original Smart Reply feature that provided brief responses, the new contextual Smart Replies offer more detailed suggestions that consider the entire email thread.

  • User Interaction: After initiating a reply, users will see several response options at the bottom of their screen. They can hover over each to preview the text, select the most appropriate one, and edit it if necessary before sending.

  • Availability: This feature is available to Google Workspace customers with Gemini Business, Enterprise, Education, or Education Premium add-ons, as well as Google One AI Premium subscribers.

  • Rollout Details: The rollout began on September 26, 2024, for Android, iOS, and web users, with an extended rollout period potentially longer than 15 days for feature visibility.

Noteworthy Reads

IBM's SkillsBuild platform offers a free "Artificial Intelligence Fundamentals" course that covers key AI concepts, including natural language processing, computer vision, machine learning, deep learning, chatbots, and neural networks, as well as AI ethics and applications. Upon completion, participants earn an IBM-branded digital badge recognized in the industry.

Key Takeaways:

  • Comprehensive AI Curriculum: The course provides foundational knowledge in various AI domains, ensuring a well-rounded understanding.

  • Practical Application: Learners gain hands-on experience with IBM Watson Studio, bridging theory and practice.

  • Industry-Recognized Credential: Earning the digital badge enhances professional credibility in the AI field.

Why It Matters:

This program equips educators with structured AI content and practical tools, enabling them to effectively teach and prepare students for careers in AI and related fields. Integrating such resources into the curriculum ensures that learners are well-versed in current AI technologies and ethical considerations.

AI Tools to Try

NotebookLM is an AI-powered research and note-taking tool developed by Google that assists users in organizing and understanding complex information. It allows educators to upload various sources, such as documents, YouTube videos, and audio files, and provides features like summarization, question answering, and the creation of study guides. This tool can be particularly useful for teachers by streamlining the preparation of educational materials and enhancing the learning experience for students

Braincast is an AI-driven platform that transforms web links and PDFs into interactive, Duolingo-style quizzes within seconds, promoting more efficient and effective learning. This tool is particularly beneficial for educators aiming to enhance student engagement and retention through gamified learning experiences.

Check it out here: https://www.braincast.it/

Thanks for Reading!

Not a Subscriber? Sign up for free below!