Key points:
- More than half of teachers and district administrators who are already actively using AI are leveraging it to improve learning experiences and outcomes for students.
- The use of AI within the education sector isn’t without its challenges, including data privacy and security, insufficient training for teachers, and uncertainty about the efficacy of AI in improving student outcomes.
- Despite the challenges, the increased use of technology is viewed positively by most teachers and administrators, with 81% of teachers viewing technology usage in classrooms as positive.
The State of K-12 Education and AI
The state of K-12 education has reached an inflection point, and AI has emerged as a versatile tool brimming with potential to support the evolving needs of teachers, students, and schools. The 2024 K-12 Educator + AI Survey, conducted by Hanover Research, aims to better understand how AI is being used by educators today, its impact and opportunity, and what this means for the future of education.
Key Findings
Teachers report using AI to help run their classrooms more efficiently, with just under half of surveyed respondents using AI for proofreading writing (47%) or lesson planning (44%). Additionally, teachers and administrators see AI as a path to more personalized student experiences and improved learning. More than half report they are leveraging AI to create personalized learning experiences for students (56%), provide real-time performance tracking and feedback (52%), and to help students with critical thinking skills (50%).
Challenges and Opportunities
The use of AI within the education sector isn’t without its challenges. When ranking the top three barriers to AI adoption in education settings, surveyed teachers and administrators identified the following:
- Data privacy and security
- Insufficient training for teachers on how to use AI
- Uncertainty about the efficacy of AI in improving student outcomes
The Future of Education
Despite the challenges, there is optimism as well. Perhaps surprisingly, the majority of teachers surveyed (87%) plan to stay in their profession. Further, the 37% of teachers who believe their job is easier post-pandemic ranked increased use of technology to streamline tasks (43%) and increased use of technology to personalize student learning (40%) as top contributors.
Conclusion
As the use of AI and advanced technology grows, the education profession continues to evolve. This surge of innovation has given rise to new demands, skills, and potential risks. In response, schools are introducing new requirements and opportunities to help prepare, support, secure, and equip education professionals with the tools they need.
FAQs
Q: What are the top three barriers to AI adoption in education settings?
A: Data privacy and security, insufficient training for teachers on how to use AI, and uncertainty about the efficacy of AI in improving student outcomes.
Q: How do teachers view the increased use of technology in classrooms?
A: 81% of teachers view technology usage in classrooms as positive.
Q: What are the top contributors to teachers believing their job is easier post-pandemic?
A: Increased use of technology to streamline tasks (43%) and increased use of technology to personalize student learning (40%).
Q: What is the majority of teachers planning to do in their profession?
A: 87% of teachers plan to stay in their profession.
