Artificial Intelligence has become a buzzword. It has completely transformed the way we live and work too. This disruptive and transformative technology has become an inseparable part of our day-to-day life. We come across several applications of AI in everyday life. From chatbots to virtual assistants, shopping recommendations on various e-commerce portals, and of course who can forget Amazon Alexa who has made our life so much more easier. Children too are quite familiar with the applications and gadgets that function on artificial intelligence, but are they aware of what AI really is? Considering that AI is the future, it is essential that AI programs should be an integral part of middle and high school curriculum.
What does artificial intelligence mean for elementary students and learners?
Artificial Intelligence involves the replication of human intelligence by computers and machines to make decisions just like humans beings do. AI-powered machines function on the basis of mathematical functions and algorithms. Using the combination, machines and devices are programmed to learn, understand, reason, and solve complex day-to-day problems just like humans do.
Is AI related to STEM learning, coding, and robotics?
Artificial intelligence, coding, STEM learning, robotics and math concepts are all interlinked. The combination of AI programs and STEM learning can provide a project based learning and personalized learning experience to the elementary students.
Here are the top reasons why it is essential for high school and middle school students to learn AI.
1) Making elementary students future ready
The use of AI in different industries and sectors is growing tremendously in India. The same trend is going to continue in the future as well. Having practical knowledge of Al is going to be a key skill set that employees would need to have in the future. Al would be used not just in the IT and core tech fields. Whether a student chooses to become a doctor or pursue a career in the education field, Al technology will be applicable everywhere. Hence, teaching Al programs to the learners right from a young age will not make them overwhelmed or scared about a new technology.
2) Project-based learning
One of the biggest advantages of teaching Al programs to Indian students is that it will completely eliminate the rote learning approach that most schools follow. Al involves project-based learning which means the students learn and then use this learning and the concepts to build an Al system capable of solving real-world challenges. It may be something as simple as creating an Al software or application that can spot an error or identify a mistake in a sentence while typing or something as complex and challenging as creating a robot that is able to perform various household tasks.
3) Learn problem solving skills
Al programs in schools empower Indian students to learn problem solving skills which they can use to solve real-world problems and challenges. This way they can understand, reason and interpret things better.
4) Understanding the real application of maths
Many elementary learners find math topics like sets, probability, squares, square roots, divisibility merely concepts in the book. Through Al programs and STEM learning Indian students get to know about the practical use of Math concepts in the real world.
5) Coding made fun and interesting
Many students in India find coding and programming quite dull and boring. However, if writing codes helps the elementary students in creating an AI system that solves complex problems, it would be much more fun and interactive for the learners. This is exactly what AI programs are designed for.
Considering the tremendous potential of AI in India, this is the perfect time to implement AI learning in middle and high school curriculum to make the students AI-ready for the time ahead.
