Recent advancements in technology are revolutionising education, with the emergence of new artificial intelligence (AI) chatbots such as ChatGPT and the increasing availability of virtual reality tools, expanding the traditional classroom boundaries. Educators aspire for every student to have an equal opportunity to acquire necessary skills for success, although this aspiration comes with challenges.

According to Dan Schwartz, Dean of Stanford Graduate School of Education (GSE), technology presents a transformative potential for education and offers universal access to high-quality learning experiences by introducing novel teaching methods. However, concerns arise regarding the risk of perpetuating ineffective teaching practices, particularly with the integration of AI.

Victor Lee, an associate professor at GSE, emphasises the positive role of AI in automating administrative tasks, allowing educators to focus on personalised instruction. Lee stresses the importance of educating students about AI’s implications and fostering critical thinking regarding its development and usage.

The application of immersive technologies like augmented reality and virtual reality is projected to increase in classrooms, enabling interactive learning experiences beyond conventional methods. Kristen Pilner Blair, director of research for the Digital Learning initiative at Stanford, highlights the potential for students to create and share immersive content, facilitating diverse learning opportunities.

Gamification, incorporating game elements into learning activities, aims to enhance student engagement; however, concerns exist regarding its efficacy in promoting broader learning motivation. Schwartz advocates for innovative approaches in gamification that emphasize adaptive learning strategies over mere task completion.

The proliferation of technology in education generates vast amounts of student data, offering insights into learning patterns and individual needs. Despite its potential, there are challenges in harnessing this data effectively for personalized learning and ensuring privacy and security measures are in place.