Making the case for personalised learning

Use of artificial intelligenceto support children’s education may sound likea futuristic concept butit is happening now. Earlier this year the Departmentfor Education set up anAI Horizon Scanning Group to explore howAI might impact education policy and the potential benefits. One of the uses of AI in education is in developing personalised education systems through devices which learn about the individual needs of every student and provide education that meets those needs.

The definition of personalised learning varies depending on who is talking about it. “Part of the problem with the term ‘personalised learning’ is that it means different things to different people,” says Stephen Rollett, curriculum and inspection specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders.“If you take the basic notion to mean the needs of children should be met, there is little to disagree with. Good teaching depends on teachers monitoring the learning of pupils at an individual level and responding as required.”