The Opportunities and Challenges Facing Education: Resources for Ethical Edtech at Bett 2024

The Opportunities and Challenges facing Education: Resources for Ethical Edtech at Bett Global 2024

An increase in the number of digital natives as well as a democratisation of the use of tools harnessing Virtual Reality (VR), Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models (LLMs) such as Open AI’s Chat GPT and other related tools, have in turn raised much needed questions on the challenge of digital safety and security in education as well as the reliability of this new technology for teaching and learning.

When speaking about Chat GPT and similar Edtech resources, Kate Darling, a research scientist at the MIT Media Lab suggested that “ChatGPT and other AI-based language applications could be, and perhaps should be, integrated into school education. Not indiscriminately, but rather as a very intentional part of the curriculum.” This was echoed by Sam Illingworth, an associate professor in the department of Learning Enhancement at Edinburgh Napier University; "AI is very much here to stay, so why try to fight it? These are tools that our students will be using in the workforce, so it seems very strange to say don't use them for three years, pretending they don't exist for now," (Source: BBC Science Focus , 25/09/2023)

With the 2024 edition of Bett kicking off tomorrow, and to help you cut through the noise and give you insight into some the latest and French Edtech resources that are shaping the future of education. We will walk you through how new Edtech is playing a particularly important role in personalised learning, tools for teachers, speech and language learning as well as mindful education.

Personalised Learning

The world of learning and development is ever advancing and changing. Adaptive, e-learning, and blended learning are being made more accessible through the democratisation of LLMs such OpenAI, Google AI, Meta AI and Chinese company Baidu’s Ernie bot to name but a few. While these types of platforms present an array of possibilities, they also provide an equal measure of risk and potentially unsuitable information for educational and training purposes. This is due to their fledgling stage of development, the limited nature of information gathered as well as a profit-driven race to develop and release new AI models at a potentially dangerous pace.

EdTech Tools for Teachers

With a new generation of digital natives to educate, teachers face increasing challenges in using and adopting new EdTech to equip future generations for the ever-changing landscape of the digital-dominated world. As such, it's essential to address the challenge of ensuring that technology complements, rather than replaces, the valuable human aspect of teaching. One such company taking on the noble task of assisting educators in promotions the learning of mathematics in primary schools is the company Mathia . Their mission is to awaken the passion for maths that lies in every child using a distinctive fusion of AI, voice assistant and 3D visualisation.

EdTech for Speech and Language Learning

The impact of new AI and other tools such as VR and AR offer opportunities such as more personalised learning with quicker feedback but should be counter-balanced by concerns regarding privacy and ethics through large-scale data collection.

The ability to communicate effectively is fundamental, and EdTech companies like Acapela Group ’s text-to-speech technology are empowering learners through the creation of an AI voice which suits them. While celebrating the inclusivity and accessibility these tools bring, we must also consider the risk of neglecting the cultural nuances and interpersonal aspects of language acquisition. Indeed, immersive and interactive platforms, such as Beyond Words are offering personalised language learning using VR and AI-powered feedback on pronunciation to plunge you into real-life scenarios from the comfort of your own home.

Mindful and Offline Education

While technology is driving advances, we must remain vigilant about overreliance on technology and ensure that we do not compromise the essential human connection in education. Recognising the importance of balance, some French EdTech companies are championing mindful and offline education. For example, ModCo are guiding students towards thoughtful and educational smartphone use. By activating the school mode upon arrival, students enter a secure bubble, turning their phones into extraordinary educational tools.

On the eve of Bett 2024, it’s clear that this edition comes at a vital crossroads for the Edtech sector. Come and meet the 15 French EdTech companies championing, adaptive learning, educator-lead technologies, language learning platforms, mindful education and more, navigating the winding?path of education in this ‘Information Age’.

Meet a selection of the exciting EdTechs below on the French Pavilion - stand NA40?at?Bett 2024 or contact our local Edtech specialist Teresa Marshall :

??? Acapela Group

?? Beyond Words

?? EASYTIS

???? Educlever

?? Edunao

???? EvidenceB

?? Jexplore

?? Scol-Art'Rex (Labinal Production)

?? Lingua Attack

?? Prof en Poche (Mathia)

?? ModCo

?? NOLEJ AI

?? Nomad Education

?? Stellia.ai

??? Vittascience