New K-12 Report Explores Artificial Intelligence in the Classroom

Washington, D.C. – Artificial intelligence (AI) is a rapidly emerging technology being used throughout society – how might it be used in classrooms? CoSN (the Consortium for School Networking) explores the opportunities, as well as the challenges, in a new report released today, titled Artificial Intelligence: Could emerging technologies “humanize” teaching & learning?

The latest in CoSN’s EdTechNext publication series, the report was issued at the CoSN 2018 Annual Conference in Washington, DC.

“AI may hold the potential to personalize instruction and learning. Yet its use in educational settings will require educators and school leaders to develop an understanding of how it can be implemented safely and smartly,” said Keith Krueger, CEO of CoSN. “We’re excited to publish this resource at our 2018 CoSN Annual Conference, where school leaders, scholars and experts are discussing these emerging technologies and how they might shape the future.”

The new report defines AI – a device or computer system that performs human intelligence tasks leveraging complex data sets – looks at the current AI landscape and envisions the future role it might play. As the report details, AI is already showing how it is personalizing learning, lending pedagogical support for teachers and delivering remarkable insights to administrators. Examples include:

  • Mixed Reality. Students are engaging with an educational platform that combines the physical world and virtual world, aiming to improve science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills.
  • Augmented Reality. “Smart glasses” are being piloted for teachers, which would allow them to, in real-time, assess student progress and compare performance across the entire class.
  • Cognitive Tutors. A combination of computer science, cognitive science and big data is delivering customized instruction to students and new insights to teachers.

In addition, the report demonstrates how some universities are employing applications that support student learning through time-management systems and chat bots.

The latest edition of the EdTechNext report is made possible by Amazon Web Services, AT&T, Bright Bytes, CDW•G, Cisco, ClassLink, Clever, ContentKeeper, Crown Castle, Dell, Ed-Fi Alliance, ENA, Encore Technology Group, FileWave, Fortinet, Google, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, HP, iBoss Security, Identity Automation, itslearning, Jamf, Juniper Networks, Kajeet, Lightspeed Systems, McGraw-Hill, Microsoft, Pearson, PowerSchool, Promethean, Ruckus Wireless, SAFARI Montage, SchoolDude and Schoology.

To receive a copy of the report, contact Michael Kaplun at [email protected]; learn more about CoSN’s EdTechNext reports at: cosn.org/ed-tech-next-reports.

Featured

  • Academy of Classical Education Breaks Ground in Louisiana

    Charter Schools USA (CSUSA) recently announced the groundbreaking of a new public charter school in Covington, La., according to a news release. The Academy of Classical Education at Covington will enroll students in grades K–8 and is scheduled for completion in August 2026, just in time for the new school year.

  • Northeastern University Breaks Ground on New Housing Community

    Northeastern University recently announced the groundbreaking of a new student housing community on its campus in Boston, Mass., according to a news release. The university is partnering with American Campus Communities (ACC) for development of the project, which will have the capacity for 1,200 students and has a scheduled completion date of fall 2028.

  • Spaces4Learning Trends & Predictions for Educational Facilities in 2026: Part I

    We asked, you answered, and the results are in! Last year, we put out a call for submissions to collect our readership’s opinion on trends and predictions for K–12 and higher education facilities in 2026.

  • College of the Desert Hits Construction Milestone on New Campus

    College of the Desert recently announced that the construction of its new Palm Springs Campus in Palm Springs, Calif., recently reached a major construction milestone, according to a news release. The college is partnering with general contractor C.W. Driver Companies, which recently “topped out” the facility by placing the final beam in its structure.