How to leverage generative AI in your tutoring practice in 2024

Education in 2023 has undergone a major transformation, all thanks to the latest AI technologies. A recent report predicts the AI education market will grow to $3.68 billion by 2023. Furthermore, a survey among educators revealed that 47% believe AI will significantly impact education.

The rapid development of AI technologies, particularly generative AI, is revolutionizing the way we teach and learn. Gone are the days of one-size-fits-all education. In the age of artificial intelligence, teaching is no longer about sticking to old methods; it's about finding new, creative ways to reach each student. AI is equipping teachers with innovative tools to enhance their teaching, offering tailor-made lessons and interactive activities that provide a more personalized and engaging learning experience for students.

If you're a tutor looking to elevate your approach in 2024, this expert article from Workee explores exciting and innovative ways to leverage generative AI to improve the learning experience.

What is generative AI?

In simple terms, generative AI is like having a tech-savvy assistant who's always available. This form of artificial intelligence can create content – such as essays, math problems, and even art – from scratch. It doesn't just copy existing information; it generates new material based on patterns it has learned.

Why is this a game-changer? Imagine having an assistant capable of drafting lesson plans, creating interactive quizzes, or personalizing learning materials for each student. This makes it a transformative tool in online tutoring.

How does generative AI work?

Generative AI generates new content based on patterns and information learned from large datasets. Here's a simplified breakdown of the process:

1. Training on large datasets: The AI is trained on vast amounts of data. For text-generating models, this data includes texts, images, videos, designs, musical notes, and more.

2. Learning patterns and associations: During training, the AI analyzes and learns patterns, structures, and associations within the data. For example, a text model learns how words and sentences are typically structured, while an image model learns visual patterns and how objects usually appear and relate to each other.

3. Neural network architecture: These models use a specific type of neural network architecture known as a transformer. This architecture is particularly good at handling sequences of data, whether that's a sequence of words in a sentence or pixels in an image. It allows the model to consider the context of each element, which is crucial for generating coherent and relevant output.

4. Generating new content: When you give a prompt to a generative AI, it uses what it has learned to generate new content that matches your request. It predicts the most likely next word or image element based on the input prompt and the patterns it has learned. For instance, if you ask GPT to write a story about a Pythagoras theorem, it generates text based on how information is typically structured and what it knows about Pythagoras theorem.

5. Refinement and iteration: The model often refines its output through multiple iterations. It evaluates different possibilities for the next word or image element, weighing them based on probability and coherence with the rest of the content.

6. Customization for specific use cases: Some generative AIs are further customized for specific tasks. They might be fine-tuned with additional data relevant to a particular domain or programmed with special rules and formats to better suit certain types of requests.

The result is an AI capable of creating original, often high-quality content, whether that be text or images, based on the instructions it receives. The technology is continuously evolving, with newer models offering more accuracy, creativity, and relevance in their outputs.

Benefits of integrating generative AI in your classroom

1. Custom-tailored learning

By analyzing how each student learns, generative AI crafts content that's just right for them. It's like giving every student a learning experience that's made just for them.

2. Time-saving

Automated grading, lesson planning, and content creation. Yes, please! With AI handling grading, lesson planning, and creating content, teachers get more time to connect with their students.

3. Innovative teaching techniques

Use AI to bring in cool learning tools like simulations, interactive narratives, or even virtual field trips. Your students will be on the edge of their seats!

4. Accessibility

Generative AI helps make learning materials accessible to all students. It can translate materials into different languages or adapt content for students with special needs, making learning inclusive for all.

5. Continuous Learning

AI doesn't stop at the classroom door. AI takes learning beyond the classroom, providing extra materials for students to use at home and keep learning.

Best practices to harness generative AI in tutoring

1. Social connection

Generative AI can facilitate social connection and motivational support, vital for effective tutoring. They can respond in ways sensitive to frustration and other negative emotions, offering encouragement and normalizing struggles. However, they may not yet replace the long-term social connection and personalized mentorship provided by human tutors. They can help in providing moment-to-moment motivational support.

2. Cognitive scaffolding

Tools like ChatGPT can provide step-by-step instructions, similar to those in textbooks, and guide students through problem-solving processes. However, they may not always stop to ask students to generate each step to understand where they might get stuck. This is where human tutors can intervene, using AI-generated material as a base for further personalized instruction​​.

3. Simulations and scenario-based learning

Generative AI can create customized scenarios and simulations, which are particularly useful for teaching practical skills. For example, it can generate project-based learning scenarios for developing project management skills. These scenarios can be tailored to the individual’s level of expertise, providing a more engaging and effective learning experience​​.

4. Enhanced communication skills

Practicing communication-intensive tasks like presenting or negotiating can be facilitated by generative AI. It can be used to simulate dialogues and provide a safe environment for practicing and refining communication skills​​.

5. Real-time language translation

Generative AI can instantly translate educational materials into multiple languages, making learning more accessible to students from diverse linguistic backgrounds.

6. Test prep and study aids

Generative AI can be used to generate multiple-choice test questions and create flashcards, and other study aids. This can be particularly helpful in test preparation and reinforcing learning concepts​​.

7. Writing and research assistance

For students struggling with organizing information into structured essays or research papers, AI can help outline papers or annotate long documents. This can assist in overcoming the fear of a blank page and starting the writing process​​.

8. Critical thinking and digital literacy

Educators can use generative AI to deepen students' critical thinking skills by critiquing AI-generated essays and identifying flaws in arguments. This approach also emphasizes the importance of understanding the limitations of AI and developing digital literacy​​.

9. Lesson planning and content creation

Generative AI can help teachers create customized lessons that cater to the diverse learning styles and levels of students in their classrooms. It can suggest relevant resources and materials based on the topic of the lesson. This includes recommending articles, videos, interactive media, and other educational tools that are age-appropriate and aligned with learning objectives.

10. Feedback and assessment

AI can assist teachers in providing immediate, personalized feedback on student assignments. It can also help in assessing students' understanding and progress, identifying areas where they might need extra help, and allowing teachers to focus on more in-depth, qualitative assessments.

11. Integration with human tutoring

While AI can automate some aspects of tutoring, in-person learning with human interaction often leads to higher student performance. Thus, AI is seen more as a supplement or assistant to human tutors, enhancing the learning experience rather than replacing the tutor

12. Professional development and resource optimization

Generative AI can aid teachers in their professional development by providing them with the latest educational resources, research, and teaching strategies. Additionally, it can help optimize resource allocation within a school or tutoring program by predicting learning outcomes and suggesting the most effective teaching interventions.

Conclusion

By integrating generative AI into their teaching methods teachers can focus on what each student needs. It's like every student gets their learning plan. This means that the kid who's a math whiz can dive deeper, while another student who's into history can get more of the stuff they love. And for the teacher? They get to use AI to make their classes more engaging and fun.