Generative AI in Education

GenAI in education leverages the transformative potential of generative artificial intelligence to enhance learning and teaching experiences. This approach is grounded in the "Seven Pillars of GenAI in Education":

  1. For the production of assessment material
  2. For the support of learning
  3. Learning Generative AI for its own sake
  4. For the purposes of assessment
  5. For the creation of teaching material
  6. For the support of teaching
  7. For the support of non-teaching tasks

These pillars guide the integration of AI technologies in educational settings, aiming to create more effective, inclusive, and engaging learning environments.

One notable application is the SMaILE (Simple Methods for Artificial Intelligence Learning and Education) project, which addresses the educational gap in AI literacy for adolescents aged 10 to 18. The SMaILE-App, a cross-platform educational tool, promotes AI literacy through interactive gameplay. Designed with a constructionist educational framework, the app includes a suite of minigames focused on different AI concepts and interactive modules that blend entertainment with personalized knowledge acquisition. This project aims to correct gender disparities in STEM by making AI education more inclusive and engaging for all students. By using playful learning methods, SMaILE helps young learners understand complex AI concepts in an accessible and enjoyable manner.

Building on the success of SMaILE, we are initiating a collaborative project with Melbourne University to develop a more theoretical mapping of AI literacy. This project will delve into the educational frameworks and theoretical underpinnings necessary to create comprehensive AI education programs. The collaboration aims to develop a robust theoretical foundation that can guide the creation and implementation of AI literacy programs across various educational contexts, ensuring that the curriculum is both effective and adaptable to different learning environments.

In the DayByDay project, GenAI is currently being employed in pilot stages to support lecturers by generating personalized feedback for students. This application of AI provides timely, detailed, and relevant feedback, enhancing the learning experience. By automating the feedback process, lecturers can offer more consistent and thorough responses to students' work, helping them to better understand and improve their performance in mathematical concepts and study practices. This use of GenAI not only supports student learning but also alleviates the workload for educators, allowing them to focus on more interactive and high-impact teaching activities.

GenAI is currently being studied as a facilitator for teachers implementing cognitive enhancement programs. In collaboration with Università di Torino - Dipartimento di Filosofia e Scienze dell'Educazione, these programs, which aim to improve students' cognitive skills and overall academic performance, benefit from AI-driven tools and methodologies that provide personalized learning experiences. By leveraging AI, teachers can design and deliver targeted interventions that address the specific cognitive needs of their students, fostering better engagement and educational outcomes. This approach underscores the potential of GenAI to enhance traditional teaching methods and support the development of essential cognitive skills in students.

These initiatives demonstrate the diverse applications of GenAI in education, from enhancing AI literacy among young students to supporting teachers and improving cognitive development programs. By integrating the principles of the seven pillars, Politecnico di Torino aims to harness the full potential of GenAI to create a more effective, inclusive, and engaging educational environment. Through these efforts, we are committed to preparing students for the future by equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in an AI-driven world.

Publications

2024
  • Unlocking AI Literacy: The SMaILE-App Gaming Experience
    Proceeding

    Franco, Santiago; Ballatore, MARIA GIULIA; Bernardini, Sara; Como, Giacomo; Damonte, Luca; Neacsu, Alexandra; Vanelli, Martina
    In: Titolo volume non avvalorato
    IEEE
    2024 IEEE Gaming, Entertainment, and Media Conference (GEM) (Torino (ITA)) June 5-7, 2024
    pp.6 ISBN:9798350374537

  • Teaching the principles of artificial intelligence to Generation Z
    Book chapter

    Ballatore, MARIA GIULIA; Bernardini, Sara; Como, Giacomo; Damonte, Luca; Franco, Santiago; Neascu, Alexandra; Vanelli, Martina
    School Children and the Challenge of Managing AI Technologies
    Routledge
    pp.12 (pp.223-234) ISBN:9781032694283 DOI:10.4324/9781032694283-23

Total: 2