The University of New Mexico (UNM) has revealed that Professor Mary Rice from the College of Education & Human Sciences (COEHS) is conducting research into the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and education. As detailed in Computers in the Schools, her inquiries focus on how AI can support children with disabilities and level the educational playing field for all students, irrespective of their district's location or funding.
Working alongside Ph.D. students Jegason Diviant and Lou Brassington, Rice is exploring AI's role in education by adopting a "techno-skepticism" approach. They are examining the potential benefits of AI in the classroom, extending their study to large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT. They acknowledge these models' origins in human language but highlight their adaptability to user inputs and biases. Despite bans in some school districts, UNM's press release states that Rice advocates for a nuanced perspective as educators adapt to technological advancements in education.
Rice was quoted in UNM's press release saying, "I still don't know all the answers. I think the place where we should be centering is thinking about how to help teachers and students learn what those sorts of tools can and cannot do in terms of where the information comes from and how it operates—then they can decide."
Diviant also shared his thoughts on incorporating generative AI into educational strategies during an interview cited by UNM's press release. He said, "I think it’s essential that we consider what the right ages might be for incorporating generative AI into our educational strategies. We need to consider whether its use is developmentally appropriate and whether it aligns with the curriculum standards and learning objectives for the class. We need to teach students how to critically assess AI-generated output and help them strengthen their digital, information, and media literacy skills."
According to information provided on COEHS's About webpage by UNM, the college offers education, diverse courses, and robust research programs for both undergraduate and graduate students. The faculty delivers dynamic classes and engages in innovative research to address contemporary educational challenges.
