Debunking EdTech Myths: How AI Truly Enhances Student Retention

Unlike traditional learning approaches that offer uniform learning experiences to the students, AI-based learning offers customization and flexibility to the students. Check out the graph below to know the difference on implementing AI-based learning model:

So, can we say that AI in Edtech has significantly affected almost every area of human life including education? EdTech in the classroom results in a significant decrease in student dropout rates at schools. This indicates that teacher engagement and the provision of educational technology can be a new solution to the problem of keeping students enrolled and at the peak of academic performance.

This blog is aimed at debunking popular myths about EdTech while also figuring out the actual effect it has on student retention. At the end of this blog, we have set the aim to provide a clear idea of how technology, when it is used wisely, can lead to the improvement of the student's retention level.

In this blog, we'll address four key EdTech myths:

Myth vs. Truth Overview

With technological advancements in education, we have seen many myths about educational technology, including e-learning. The source of these myths is usually the fear of change, lack of information, or resistance to the new methodologies of teaching. Some misconceptions are that education will be replaced by the technology of the future, and the use of it is far too difficult to be popularized. 

Distinguishing fact from myth is indispensable mainly because myths are a great barrier, which affects the use of the potential tool. Educators and institutions can decide wisely in a way that is more advantageous to their students and can achieve an increase in retention by finding out what the real situation of EdTech is.

How EdTech enhances student retention with AI? Why Does It Matters?

The use of AI in the education industry has significantly boosted student retention through the creation of personalized and engaging learning experiences. AI-based instruments can monitor one's learning trends, preferences, and performance data to exactly fit the flow of educational materials and interventions according to the needs of the student. This personalization gives a chance to address specific areas where students may find it difficult, offering targeted help that can not only prevent frustration and dropouts but also help with success.

The relevance of AI-powered student retention in EdTech is not limited to the educational achievements of a single person. The most important thing here is that educational institutions and societies as a whole benefit from it. By increasing the retention rates of students, institutions can effectively utilize their resources and get higher educational outcomes which are the key factors for their good reputation and financial stability. Besides, using AI technology to help complete their education, EdTech contributes to the workforce being more knowledgeable, which, in turn, plays a crucial role in economic growth and innovation.

Myth 1 - "EdTech is Just a Trend"

The Myth

The most common misunderstanding about technology in education is that it is a passing fad, a product that will be out of fashion soon. The belief that technology in education is just a superficial addition to the existing content of teaching and learning rather than a change in the central mode of education creates a problem.

The Truth

EdTech is not a passing trend. It is here to stay and going to alter the way education has been distributed to students. For example, BookWidgets has been a tool that teachers have been using since 2013 to develop proper interactive lessons. This software is used by many teachers in the classrooms, it offers over 40 exercise templates like quizzes and puzzles to enhance student engagement and learning.

AI-driven educational platforms including MATHia by Carnegie Learning bring forward sophisticated algorithms for providing personalized math instruction that adjusts to student learning pace and style. Language-learning apps like Duolingo have introduced a fun element to the process of learning new languages which has been made available to millions of people around the world.

Supporting Data and Examples

EdTech companies have received billions of dollars as funding. This significant injection of funding demonstrates how the industry is poised for growth with continuous technological advancements that shape the way teaching and learning are done. By 2025, global Education Technology funding is anticipated to top up a total of $404 billion. (Source)

This financial commitment from investors demonstrates that the educational technology sector is now in full use and is growing rapidly. This projected amount of growth means that society at large is beginning to believe in the impact of the EdTech sector.

Myth 2 - "EdTech is a Substitute for Traditional Teaching"

The Myth

One of the myths about the EdTech industry is that it is a substitute for teachers and it will eliminate the existence of traditional teaching from the education scene.

The Truth

EdTech is developed to help teachers instead of substituting them. Technology in education can be looked at as a key component through which teachers can improve their methods of learning and teaching which the education system has been lacking for a long time. Today, the most efficient and successful educational models combine technology with human instruction, thereby creating an advantage for everyone.

Blended learning methods marrying online technologies and traditional classroom equipment have been super successful. A couple of these tools, namely Google Classroom and Microsoft Teams, have really done a great job in melding technology with conventional methods, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AI in EdTech has played a very important role in blended instruction. One such example is the use of AI in Education Tech by Century Tech, which facilitates the creation of individual learning paths for each student. Similarly, Gradescope by Turnitin makes use of AI in Education Technology, particularly in AI grading, to aid teachers in assessing assignments, thereby releasing some time for more significant interactions with students.

Supporting Data and Examples

Researchers claim student performance in blended learning has the edge over those in regular settings. A study by the U.S. Department of Education discovered that blended learning models achieved better results because students showed higher achievement levels.

Myth 3 - "EdTech is Not Cost-Effective"

The Myth

There is a popular myth that EdTech solutions are not cost-effective. It is this myth that often stands in the way of people making use of potentially transformative technologies.

The Truth

The usage of EdTech solutions in education might come with high costs initially, however, in the long run, the expectations of better final results and financial savings are mostly achieved. A lot of EdTech solutions offer pricing models that can be scaled to the size of institutions or schools of different sizes and with various budgets.

Additionally, the ROI of EdTech AI investments is non-negligible. Simply by improving student retention and/or engagement, the technologies can cause an increase in enrollment and engagement rates, which then, leads to a higher financial status of an educational institution.

Usually, EdTech AI tools give you some more expenditure-saving perks. AdmitHub chatbots, for example, have answering functionalities, which can be one of the simpler administrative duties that are automated. Civitas Learning uses predictive analysis of data to predict which students may be failing at the beginning of the course and then the teacher arranges help groups and targeted interventions to get them back on track. 

Supporting Data and Examples

According to a thorough cost-benefit analysis, Effective EdTech applications, when integrated into the classroom setting show a high rate of return on investment. For instance, using digital textbooks and online resources instead of traditional printed material can in fact help to save money for both educational institutions and the students.

Georgia State University is a perfect example of how predictive analytics has been utilized to analyze student data. This allowed the university to identify students who were at risk of failure or forgetting about classes. By intervening at the right moment, GSU has been able to increase its retention rate thus acquiring additional millions of dollars of tuition fees. Hence, employing EdTech AI in higher education has been shown to result in significant cost savings and academic improvements.

Myth 4 - "EdTech is Only for Tech-Savvy Students"

The Myth

One of the popular myths about EdTech tools is the belief that EdTech is only useful for technical students and is of no use for other categories. It is frequently said that only the students who already have certain technology skills can benefit from EdTech, whereas those not so much into computerized tools will be the ones left out.

The Truth

Modern EdTech tools focus on the user experience which means they are user-friendly and can be used even by students who are not so tech-savvy. Many AI-based platforms offer user-friendly interfaces, and ongoing support to ensure all students can benefit from the technology. AI in education helps around 75% students to improve their academic performance by using the benefits of edtech.

AI has a key role in enabling the EdTech sector to be more inclusive. It helps in enabling communication, collaboration, and overall education quality. The use of AI in EdTech platforms like Knewton and DreamBox Learning helps to adapt to each student's pace and style of learning. Thus, also the ones who are uncomfortable with technology will be able to get the benefits.

Supporting Data and Examples

Several EdTech tools cater to different learners' special learning needs, such as text-to-speech functions, customizable interfaces, and interactive tutorials. It is nice to see such AI-powered platforms like Coursera and Duolingo are applicable to a wide variety of learners that have diverse skills and technology knowledge. These platforms have thus far been the solution for millions of users.

How GSU & ASU Adopt AI EdTech Solution?

Case Study 1: Georgia State University

An intelligent forecasting toolkit, GPS Advising was recently developed at Georgia State University to change the standards of school management. This interactive technology constantly checks on more than eight hundred unique signs for every student on a daily schedule. This meant that every student had an efficient system that could offer them support and guidance at short notice. 

What is the Role of Technology and AI Solutions?

• Georgia State University developed predictive analytics to recognize financial risks that impact academic performance.
• In order to provide view of student risks, they have integrated financial risk markers with existing academic markers.
• Impact assessment is done to assess the effectiveness of interventions. This is done to enhance student retention. 

Lessons to Be Learned

• Detect factors related to academic risk and financial behaviours
• Check whether or not the information is used for developing effective interventions.

Case Study 2: Arizona State University (ASU)

Arizona State University (ASU) identified the need to make biology courses more adaptive. With the help of technology, they accomplished this by establishing an arrangement with CogBooks that would see adaptive course resources integrated into the Biology Courses taking into consideration the academic background of the students. The computer algorithm constructed by the CogBooks in alliance with ASU uses AI predictive analytics to validate evaluation results, and the entire educational status of the student to customize the scholar journey.

Key Takeaways from Case Studies

1. Allow teachers in the decision-making for new technologies and their integration on the campus.
2. Provide comprehensive training for both staff and students, which is necessary for the general progress of the school.
3. The system should be more of a prototype for success.
4. Technology and human interaction should complement each other.

Conclude 

This article, as we have shown, has had its true potential in the enhancement of student retention with AI and overall educational outcomes. EdTech is no longer just a phase; it is now an integral part of the overall education sector

Looking into the future, it's totally without argument that as far as education is concerned EdTech will be the central part of it. The use of technology combined with expert teaching methods can result in far-reaching changes in students' e-learning and academic success. Even amidst a large number of unknowns, these trends provide a mechanism to make sure that today's students have a future education that meets the needs of tomorrow and empowers the workforce of the future.

Codiste, a well-established AI development company in USA, wants to be at the forefront of AI technologies to develop educational solutions. Codiste applies a planned-out procedure and relies on the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) principle in the course of designing systems. We provide next-gen solutions for educational institutions using advanced AI to increase engagement and improve retention of students. So, let’s talk about your idea in a 1:1 meeting. 

Most Asked Question in AI EdTech

Does AI really boost student retention?

Yes, AI can raise student retention by giving personalized learning experiences that are made uniquely for each individual. It aids as a guide in the establishment of the strengths and weaknesses of students and provides them with the necessary assistance.

How does AI personalize learning for better retention?

AI can make learning more personalized by checking the data about each student's performance, learning method, and speed. After that, it makes the lessons, quizzes, and feedback especially the students so they can learn better and have fun while learning.

Can AI replace teachers in improving retention?

No, AI cannot be a replacement for teachers, but can be used as a help for them. AI tools can do the routine work and can give tailor-made guidance. This allows teachers to do what they are good at, interacting in a meaningful way with students, counseling, and taking care of the individual students' problems.

What are the success stories of AI in schools?

AI tools like MATHia from Carnegie Learning have been very successful in many schools whose students have therefore scored higher on math tests by getting extra help with personalized instruction. People are using Language apps such as Duolingo to learn new languages, thus making AI a powerful innovation in the education sector.

Are there ethical concerns with AI in education?

Yes, of course, there are many ethical concerns regarding data privacy, the bias of AI algorithms, as well as the digital divide. To solve privacy and inclusion issues, we need to ensure that AI systems for students operate ethically and without bias against any learner or group by applying strict privacy protocols.