The Latest in Tutoring Technology: A.I.

February 1st, 2009 by Sean P

Source: http://www.quantumsimulations.com/

“Quantum develops artificial intelligence (AI) tutoring, assessment and professional development software for K-12, higher education, distance learning and adult education… Quantum is the only AI company capable of integrating cutting-edge technology for textbook publishers, educational software providers or distance learning organizations…. AI learning products [are] scientifically proven to increase test scores by as much as 50%.”

What is interesting about this “movement”, I say that because Quantum isn’t the only company moving this direction, is that technology in this sense isn’t being used to reduced the disconnect in society; rather it is being used to maintain the divisions between person-to-person interactions.

A bit of technology history.  The Phone, while bringing people together, placed interactions as 1 step removed from being in person.  But, the Phone did provide voice-to-voice, and therefore it was only removed in sight.  The computer, with Email, placed people 2 degrees apart.  While we could communicate with text, as I am now, it lacked both personal voice and sight.  Therefore, all intrapersonal communication, and non-verbal communication was removed.  Now, we move into the age of “virtual” worlds (aka Second Life).  In Second Life people were not only twice removed, but now we accepted a substitute persona as if we removed a “barrier” of sight. 

Lastly we move into the world of A.I.  In the A.I. universe, we could now say that individuals are 3 times removed from humanity, in that there is no contact with humans whatsoever.  Will this succeed?  Possibly, but my prediction is that with the movement on the other end of the pendulum towards the removing of boundaries (VoIP, Webcam, etc.), A.I. will never be a preferred method of learning, regardless of it’s accuracy and potential benfits.

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