This story is hot off the presses. What do YOU think about it?
According to the New York Times: “EdX, a nonprofit enterprise founded by Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will release automated software that uses artificial intelligence to grade student essays and short written answers.”
Click the image for the full story by John Markoff.
I do not think this is a good idea at all. It seems like a very good technological advancement however I feel that the essence of individual thinking and analyzation is going to be lost. An essay can have many complex ideas and can be written several different ways depending on the author. I don’t believe that a machine will be able to identify the voice of the author and learn something about him/her like real professors or teachers do.
While the concept of a software grading student essays may seem like a breakthrough within the technological world to some, I do not. I think that by implementing this in universities the relationship between teacher and student will change. Although it takes time for a professor to grade each student’s essay, the feedback is much more valuable, and the student has the opportunity to discuss any questions they may have, regarding the feedback, with their professor.
I think that this is a great concept and will really advance effectiveness in the classroom. It is always beneficial to receive feedback right away so one can immediately learn how to correct mistakes.
I don’t like the idea of artificial intelligence grading papers and short answers rather then teachers. I think the key to learning is having personalized feedback from an instructor which just is not something you can get from a computer program.
Honestly, I do not believe that this is a good idea what so ever. Although, this is a huge technological breakthrough in education, I feel as if the personal aspect of the grading process will disappear. The only good thing about this grading software is that it would be unbiased. I believe online classes are also much harder to learn in. Having this would certainly effect teacher/student relationships.
I do not like this at all. If I put in the effort to write something, I want a person to read it. I want someone to enjoy it or even critique it. I do not want a machine to do this. Yes, I do believe this is a great breakthrough, but I don’t think it’s the right thing for the classroom.
I do not think this is a good idea right now. I feel like a program cannot grade like a teacher will. Also even though its instant feedback, I do not see how the feedback would be useful if you do not understand something. I think it has the potential to be really good if they can program the software to be unique for every teacher that uses it.
It is in fact a scary thought to think that a machine would be grading your essay instead of an actual person…A person can be reasonable and give you actual and meaningful feedback… The grading software would be unbiased which might scare several people… This said, however i think there are enormous gains to be made here…not only for professors but for students as well…. I mean lets not jump ahead: the teacher’s feedback would still be necessary on every essay…but with the direct feedback that students are able to get on the essay from the software, i personally think that the quality of these essays would improve tremendously ! Direct feedback would allow you to understand right on the spot your mistake and improve your grammar… After all aren’t employers complaining that more and more college students have poor writing skills?? The grading software would be a tremendous help to the teacher by enabling the teacher to focus only on the essential aspect of the essay which is the content and the direction of the essay… STudents would improve their writing skills a lot faster but also spend less time on grammar and more time on content once that’s mastered. Everyone has to gain from it.
I am undecided about this idea. I think that in some ways its good and in other ways it not too good. First, I do not like the idea that there is not writing by hand. I feel like personally my ideas flow better though a pen rather than a keyboard. But I do like the fact that the results are immediate and that students can retake it right away. That being said I still think that the human element should be included with writing an essay.