Advancing the Frontiers of Technology-enhanced Personalised Learning through Generative AI

With the educational landscape being increasingly reshaped by the meteoric rise of generative AI tools, 2024 is emerging as the year of pragmatic implementation and advancement. Recognising the transformative potential of this technology in personalised learning as well as teaching productivity and innovation, Singapore Management University (SMU) led the 4th ASEAN University Network Technology Enhanced Personalised Learning (AUN-TEPL) Symposium on 28 May 2024, in collaboration with host Mahidol University (MU) and co-leads Universiti Malaya (UM), Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD) and the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman.

Themed “AI for Personalised Learning”, the hybrid event, which took place in Bangkok, Thailand, facilitated an in-depth exchange of insights, best practices and strategic roadmaps for leveraging generative AI’s capabilities in personalised learning, academic development, learning design and assessment, curriculum innovation as well academic integrity. Participants explored various cutting-edge applications, such as AI-powered tutoring systems, automated assessment tools and content generation assistants, aimed at enhancing the overall learning experience.

In his welcome address, Professor Banchong Mahaisavariya, President of Mahidol University, spoke about how universities stand at the cusp of a transformative educational journey. The COVID-19 pandemic had given educators a strong impetus to innovate. By leveraging AI’s power responsibly, it is possible for universities to tailor educational experiences to the unique needs and abilities of each student, foster inclusivity amongst diverse communities and equip graduates to thrive in an AI-driven future.

In their keynote presentation, Dr. Julie Lindsay and Dr. Lisa Jacka from the University of Southern Queensland, invited the audience to reimagine learning in an AI-empowered world. They shared invaluable insights and effective strategies for leveraging the affordances of AI. In addition, they dived into the ways of navigating future challenges in the areas of personalising the student experience, capacity building, curriculum integration and learner-centric assessment choices.

Following the thought-provoking keynote, panellists from the ASEAN University Network co-lead universities discussed case studies of successful AI implementations in their respective institutions. Such initiatives had significantly improved student outcomes. They also explored the challenges and ethical considerations of AI in education, such as fairness and accuracy in assessments. The session provided a balanced view of how AI could enhance the teaching and learning experience, and the ways to mitigate its pitfalls.

Rounding up the education symposium were two hands-on workshops to demonstrate AI in action. Dr. Tipajin Thaipisutikul from Mahidol University demonstrated the use of GPT-o as an AI Tutor and provided a comprehensive overview of generative AI tools and their revolutionary role in crafting personalised learning experiences. She showcased examples of how AI might create tailored content, adaptive learning paths and interactive environments that cater to individual learning styles and needs. Associate Professor Dr Mohammad Tazli Azizan and Dr Nik Ani Afiqah Haji Mohamad Tuah, Universiti Brunei Darussalam led participants in exploring practical applications of Generative AI tools for creating lesson plans, interactive activities images and videos from text prompts.

As the world rapidly embraces the generative AI revolution, events such as the AUN-TEPL Symposium underscore the commitment of ASEAN Universities to join forces in sharing knowledge to stay ahead of the curve, providing students with an innovative and personalised learning experience.

The live recording of the 4th AUN-TEPL Symposium is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izhvomxckBE