Artificial intelligence (AI) presents a world of possibilities for various companies, but many industries are still in the early stages of understanding how to incorporate this technology into their daily operations. Higher education institutions, in particular, have been slow to adopt AI because of concerns about cost, privacy, and ethics. However, as AI continues to advance and become more prevalent in society, it is only a matter of time before higher education institutions start leveraging its benefits.
In 2024, the adoption of AI in higher education is expected to increase significantly as institutions begin to recognize the potential impact it can have on various aspects of their operations. From personalized learning to administrative tasks, here are some ways that higher education institutions can leverage AI in the near future:
Personalized Learning Experiences
AI has the capability to analyze vast amounts of student data, such as academic performance and learning preferences, to create personalized learning experiences for students. For instance, if a student is struggling with a certain subject, AI can identify the root cause and provide tailored resources or remedial activities to help them improve. Some students may be visual learners, while others prefer more practical activities and instruction. AI can take these learning preferences into account and provide different learning materials or methods based on each student’s individual needs.
This personalized approach can improve student engagement and retention rates, as students are more likely to stay motivated when they feel that the material is relevant to them. It also makes class discussions and assignments more meaningful, with students applying their personalized learning to real-world scenarios.
Intelligent Tutoring Systems (ITS)
ITS is essentially a virtual tutor that uses AI to assess student work, answer questions, and provide feedback. These systems can be integrated into online learning platforms or even used in traditional classroom settings to supplement teacher instruction.
With ITS, students get personalized guidance and support outside of the classroom, freeing up valuable class time for more interactive activities. It also allows for immediate feedback, which can be crucial for students who are struggling to grasp difficult concepts.
Plagiarism Detection
With the increasing amount of online content available, it has become more challenging for professors to manually detect plagiarism in student assignments, let alone detect whether an AI language model provided the content.
AI-powered plagiarism detection software can scan student submissions and compare them to various literature to determine the level of originality. Some plagiarism checkers can even analyze writing styles and patterns to identify AI-generated content. Note that these capabilities are still in their early stages and will produce false positives or negatives, so human review is still crucial in the grading process. But as AI continues to improve and adapt, it will become a valuable tool for higher institutions in maintaining academic integrity.
Optimized Course Load Selection
AI can help students choose their courses more strategically. With access to historical data on enrollment, student grades, instructors, and personal preferences, AI algorithms can predict which combination of classes will most likely lead to academic success for each student. If a student has consistently struggled with a particular subject, AI can suggest alternative courses or additional support options. This strategic approach can reduce the risk of students taking courses that are too challenging for them, leading to improved academic performance, reduced dropout rates, and a more fulfilling educational experience.
Streamlined Administrative Tasks
Beyond the classroom, higher education institutions can use AI to improve various administrative tasks and reduce the burden on staff. For example, AI-powered chatbots can answer common queries from students regarding registration, financial aid, and campus services.
Meanwhile, administrative staff can utilize AI to automate manual processes such as class scheduling, student records maintenance, and transcript evaluations. AI models can even be programmed to perform initial application screenings, making the admissions process more efficient and freeing up staff to focus on evaluating the grades and academic achievements of shortlisted candidates.
Predictive Analytics
Predictive analytics refers to using data analysis and machine learning to identify patterns and make predictions about future events. In higher education, this can be used to forecast student enrollment trends, evaluate the performance of a particular program or course, and even predict which students may be at risk of dropping out.
By analyzing data on student enrollment and retention rates, institutions can better project how many faculty members they will need for a specific semester or allocate funds toward campus facilities that are most in demand. This type of data-driven decision-making can help higher education institutions become more effective in managing resources and providing a better overall experience for students.
Although AI in higher education still requires further refinement and development, it has the potential to revolutionize how we teach and learn. If you’re interested in learning more about how AI and other groundbreaking technologies can transform your institution, call Varsity Tech today. We can help you develop a personalized IT strategy to enhance teaching, learning, and administrative processes at your institution.
