A learning Renaissance: how instructors can work with AI to improve student engagement

At the 2024 THE Digital Universities Arab World event, university leaders and industry partners came together to consider how digital innovation is transforming higher education. Katie Thorn, vice-president of international sales and marketing, and Peter Keeble, business development manager at Macmillan Learning, discussed the role that AI can play in transforming the learning experience for students.

While the education sector felt anxiety around the arrival of generative AI, Thorn believes progress is being made: “We’re accepting, we’re curious and we’re now using AI with our students.”

Keeble oversees Macmillan’s iClicker student response system, a tool for student engagement that allows instructors to engage students in alternative forms of learning, such as polls and quizzes, check attendance, monitor student performance and receive anonymous feedback on how the teaching was received. 

While AI can be an effective tool for active learning, Macmillan wanted to stress that there is no substitute for a good teacher. “You need social and emotional learning for successful learning outcomes. Human interaction allows that complex cognitive and emotional engagement that is essential for deep learning,” noted Thorn.

The big question is how you can reach and inspire every student in a class. How can you make every student feel connected to what they’re learning and believe they belong in higher education? For Macmillan, the answer was creating the iClicker student response system. 

Keeble stressed that educators shouldn’t wait for assessments to highlight the areas that students are struggling with. They should ask questions throughout the learning process to gauge their knowledge. “A well-designed student response system is never going to replace the instructor, but it is a useful tool. It leads to a more inclusive teaching environment in which all the students feel they are moving forward,” Keeble said. 

For Thorn, now is the opportunity to have a “learning Renaissance”. While AI may show students what they’ve learned, educators can help them use that knowledge successfully, she said. “There are experiences we can develop that will assist all educators in creating that magic moment when the human connection meets the learner. AI tools can provide great core explanations about topics, but currently, they lack the deeper insights or answers about what that individual student needs to do next with what they’ve learned.” 

Thorn said that while the value of human storytelling is irreplaceable, the challenges of engaging all students, especially those who may be shy or reluctant to participate, is where AI comes in. The use of technology, such as Macmillan Learning’s iClicker student response system, can foster inclusive and participatory learning environments and enhance academic experiences for both students and instructors.  

The speakers:

• Peter Keeble, business development manager, Macmillan Learning
• Katie Thorn, vice-president of international sales and marketing, Macmillan Learning

Find out more about Macmillan Learning.