March 18, 2022

EdTech: Chatbots, the More Effective Communicator

I In the field of education technology, a new study from Georgia State University has revealed that the use of artificial intelligence chat bot has brought about higher rate of task completion and positive changes in the students. The students were more likely to complete tasks critical to staying enrolled in schools.

The controlled trial was conducted among the students of Perimeter College, a community college that is part of Georgia State University. The chatbot interacted with the students regularly reminding them of important tasks like deadlines, payment options and financial aid suggestions. Students, too, found the chatbots helpful while seeking campus information. The study showed that the use of technology has helped students stay on track, mainly the low-income and first-generation students.

…the chatbot can cut through the communication clutter…

Timothy Renick, Executive Director of the National Institute for Student Success at Georgia State points out that, “the chatbot can cut through the communication clutter,” if used strategically. The research on the chatbot trial, conducted by postdoctoral research associate Katharine Meyer and Lindsay Page, the Annenberg Associate Professor of Education Policy at the Annenberg Institute at Brown University, also revealed that this kind of research is badly needed, as they not only keep students up-to-date and on track, but also brings scope for future collaborations with education-technology firms.

According to Lindsey Fifield, director of student success communication at Georgia State, the user-friendly chatbot sends up to three messages per week to students as per their curriculum and academic requirements. Also, students find the casual language used by the chatbots more relatable.

Georgia State University plans to extend chatbot use to all Perimeter College students next year, and make use of chatbots in more of its courses, especially STEM classes. Jinann Bitar, director of higher education research and data analytics at the Education Trust, however, points out the importance of chatbots built with complete and perfect data, “A lot of these community colleges that might be best served with this kind of technology are going to have the least capacity for these kinds of interventions.” The lack of which may create a lot of unnecessary confusion among students seeking information.

Posted in News and tagged News, Education Technology, AI, Chatbot, Higher Education, Georgia State University
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