Why character education matters in the age of AI
As AI continues to transform the way we operate in our digital world, the discussions around its impact on education broaden.
From individualised learning systems to virtual classrooms, automatic writing tools to conversational AI programmes, assistive technologies that support learners with special education needs and disabilities to learning management systems enabling educational institutions to ease in their operations, AI brings a whole new world of prospects. But, crucially, not without its challenges.
Attending this year’s Education and Research Forum at Eton College in November also reinforced this view. During the forum, educators pondered on the big questions:
What’s the future of teaching and learning?
How do we integrate AI into education systems?
How do we remain technically proficient and relevant in this rapidly changing world, yet ensure that we don’t lose the essence of education: the human touch, the human connection, the ethics, the attitudes and the values?
How best can educators integrate AI?
For learners, current AI technologies give access to quick information and amazing content in its various forms (image, audio, video, writing, etc.) with almost one click; however, asking AI to spoon-feed us with data and content does not necessarily reinforce the learning process. We know that real learning is multifaceted and entails a fine combination of core principles: impactful pedagogy, solid methodology, engaging materials, constructive and timely feedback, reflection, critical thinking, repetition/practice, continuous support, motivation and commitment amongst others.
Knowledge gained directly from AI without any learner agency will only focus on memorisation unless it is contextualised in a real learning setting. As Eton’s Head of Digital Learning Steve Birtles recommends, the most beneficial use of AI to support active learning is to adopt it for reinforcement of learning. In other words, rather than asking AI to give direct answers for a query, train AI to ask you questions that encourage critical thinking, that check comprehension and application of knowledge. AI in its current form cannot do independent, critical thinking; it can only give us projections and recommendations based on previous reasoning. Therefore, fundamental skills are here to stay and education needs to continue to foster them.
When we look at AI from teachers’ perspective, AI-supported educational solutions such as automated marking tools or programmes for automatic content generation are very useful and save a great deal of teacher time. On the other hand, relying solely on these technologies will take away from teachers’ meaningful interaction with students’ works, the opportunity to better understand individual learner profiles, and to enrich teaching and learning journey with personal touches. While being a powerful supplementary tool for education, AI cannot replace the human element, i.e., the experience, understanding, support and empathy that a teacher can give to a student on an individual level. Pastoral care, an indispensable aspect of education and schooling, cannot be delivered through technology only. Thus, we need to keep the right balance between utilising new technologies and maintaining fundamental educational principles to achieve a holistic education.
Why character education is integral
Complexities around AI also highlight the ever-growing importance of character education and its key role in raising leaders of the future. Oxford Character Project (OCP) by the University of Oxford argues that “character can be developed through intentional education and experience” (https://oxfordcharacter.org/). Character education teaches young people emotional intelligence, personal and social awareness, effective communication and teamwork. As adults, we need to ensure that new generations are equipped with the right skill set to successfully navigate through our rapidly changing world and that they are not only academically proficient but also personally, emotionally, socially and ethically strong characters. As we embrace technological innovation and transform our teaching and learning, we need to also make sure larger goals and values are aligned.
Character education is a crucial basis for raising resilient, compassionate, ethical and socially responsible young people. It is integral not only to one’s personal growth and success but also to the development and wellbeing of a society. No community can survive without its members upholding core virtues such as morality, integrity, empathy, reasoning, leadership, etc. No society can flourish without its people’s positive contributions to the public domain. Peace, harmony, justice and equality are not concepts to be taken for granted especially in today’s world where power dynamics are shifting rapidly. What will ensure a better world for us and the next generations is cultivating principle values and virtues through solid character education to shape tomorrow’s leaders.