Wednesday, July 10, 2024
The Wednesday afternoon keynote titled, “Innovation - Learning Through Personal Connection” led by Shiren Vijiasingam, the Chief Product Developer at Instructure. Additional speakers included Rachel Swanson, Director of K12 Solutions Engineering, and Sal Khan, Founder and CEO of Khan Academy. The session was an enlightening look into some of the fantastic new features that will be coming soon within Canvas LMS, and I am excited to share the key takeaways with those who couldn’t attend. Here’s a recap I made with the help of Co-Pilot for those who couldn’t make it!
The Power of AI in Education
The keynote highlighted the incredible product updates and advancements in AI. This new iteration promises to revolutionize the way we approach personalized education and teacher support. Here are the main features and announcements that stood out:
- Partnership with Khan Academy:
- OpenAI has partnered with Khan Academy to develop AI-driven teacher tools. These tools are designed to save educators significant time on tasks such as lesson planning, grading, and writing progress reports. The goal is to create co-editing experiences that empower teachers rather than replace them.
- Khanmigo Teacher Tools:
- Integrated with Canvas, the Khanmigo teacher tools will be available for free. These tools aim to give teachers more time to focus on their students and themselves by automating routine tasks. This integration is a significant step towards making AI accessible and beneficial for all educators.
- Student Tools for Ethical Tutoring:
- New student tools are being developed to provide ethical tutoring and writing assistance. These tools are designed to support the learning process without enabling cheating. The emphasis is on using AI to amplify positive human intent in education, ensuring that it serves as a tool for good.
Exciting Features Demoed by Rachel Swanson
Rachel Swanson took the stage to share some of the latest and most exciting features coming to Canvas:
- AI-Powered Translation:
- Canvas will soon support translations in over 100 languages! This feature will allow teachers to communicate through Inbox with students in their native languages, fostering a more inclusive learning environment. Imagine responding to a student’s message in Portuguese and having it automatically translated into English and vice versa. This is a game-changer for global classrooms!
- IEP Assistant:
- For students requiring learning accommodations, the new IEP Assistant will help teachers draft individualized education plans quickly. The AI will provide a first draft based on the teacher’s input, which can then be customized. This tool is set to save hours of administrative work, allowing teachers to focus more on personalized student support.
- Enhanced Discussion Translations:
- Not only will translations be available in inbox messages, but also in discussion forums. This ensures that all students can participate fully in class discussions, regardless of their language proficiency. It’s all about breaking down barriers and making learning accessible to everyone.
- Page Block Tool:
- This tool allows educators to create lesson pages from scratch or by using free design page layouts with templates. The new block editor makes it incredibly easy to add and customize elements on a page. Teachers can choose what elements to include and can always add more later. The demo showcased how teachers can preview their pages in different modes, ensuring that content looks great on desktops, tablets, and mobile devices. This tool is set to fundamentally change the way educators create course content, making it more intuitive and visually appealing.
Emphasizing Human Connection
A recurring theme throughout the keynote was the importance of maintaining personal connections in education. While AI can handle many administrative tasks, the human element remains irreplaceable. The tools being developed are meant to enhance the teacher-student relationship by freeing up more time for meaningful interactions.
Looking Ahead
The advancements discussed in the keynote are just the beginning. As AI continues to evolve, its role in education will undoubtedly expand. The focus will remain on using technology to support and enhance the human aspects of teaching and learning.
In conclusion, the keynote was a powerful reminder of the potential of AI to transform education. By leveraging these new tools, educators can look forward to a future where they have more time to connect with their students and foster a more personalized learning experience.
If you were able to attend the keynote, or would just like to contribute to the conversation, feel free to share your thoughts on the updates announced in the comments below.
