Harnessing AI for Smarter Teaching and Personalised Learning

Thursday, 13 March 2025

The rapid advancement of AI in education is unlocking new possibilities for both teaching efficiency and student support. At the University of Newcastle’s School of Information and Physical Sciences, Dr Saiful Islam and Professor Florian Breuer are exploring how AI can enhance both educator productivity and personalised student learning.

Chat GPT

Their research focuses on two major AI applications:

  1. AI-powered personal assistants that streamline course preparation and content generation.
  1. AI tutors that provide personalised learning support, adapting to individual student needs.

AI as a Personal Assistant: Streamlining Course Creation

Dr Saiful Islam is investigating how AI tools like ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot can support educators by automating routine tasks, such as creating lecture content, generating quizzes, and summarising key concepts.

Key Benefits of AI as a Teaching Assistant

  • Faster Content Development: AI can draft course outlines, quizzes, and discussion prompts.
  • Reduced Admin Workload: AI helps streamline routine tasks, allowing educators to focus on student engagement.
  • Context-Aware Learning Materials: AI-generated content can be tailored to specific course objectives.

Why it matters: With AI handling content creation, educators can spend more time mentoring students and improving course delivery.

AI Tutors: Adaptive and Personalised Learning Support

Professor Florian Breuer is exploring AI’s role in providing personalised student support through intelligent tutoring systems. In collaboration with Bloom AI, his work focuses on AI tutors that adapt to each student’s learning pace, providing real-time assistance.

These AI tutors are designed to bridge learning gaps, offer targeted feedback, and support students beyond classroom hours.

Key Benefits of AI Tutors

  • 24/7 Availability: Students can receive help at any time, improving accessibility.
  • Customised Feedback: AI tutors tailor responses to individual student needs.
  • Scalable Support: AI can provide one-on-one guidance, even in large classes.

The Future of AI in Education

AI’s ability to enhance both teaching efficiency and student learning outcomes is becoming increasingly clear. As AI continues to evolve, tools like intelligent tutors and AI-powered assistants will play a crucial role in making education more personalised, efficient, and impactful.

Interested in Exploring AI for Teaching?

If you’re curious about integrating AI-powered assistants or tutors into your teaching practice, reach out to Dr Saiful Islam and Professor Florian Breuer at the School of Information and Physical Sciences.

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