Ahmed grimaces as the school’s new AI tutor bot glitches out – spewing nonsense instead of answering his question on quadratic equations. He rips off the clunky virtual reality headset after just 10 minutes struggling through a blurry historical tour. “Why can’t they make edtech that actually works?” Ahmed vents to his classmate Julia.
Julia nods, recalling the results of their student survey on education technology. Outdated tools and platforms still dominate many classrooms, even as advanced AI and XR (extended reality) emerge. “They never ask us what we actually want or need from this tech,” she responds. “We have so many ideas if someone would just listen!”
Across schools, education technology implementation often overlooks critical stakeholder perspectives – the students themselves. Yet learner-centered design is crucial for creating tools that actually enhance outcomes. This blog shares insights from real students on the AI, VR and AR capabilities they crave to unlock learning in the digital era.
Survey Says: Customization, Creativity, Connection
Student surveys reveal yearnings common across age groups and demographics. Learners want technology that adapts to their individual needs and interests. They envision AI tutors that recognize their strengths and weaknesses to provide personalized teaching strategies. Students crave creativity-fostering tools to make learning active and experiential. And they desire platforms that connect them to peers for collaborating beyond the classroom.
In focus groups, students elaborate on how edtech falls short of this learner-centered vision. They describe one-size-fits-all educational software that marches lockstep through content. Students report frustration with rigid VR lessons and games that lack options or challenges. And they feel disconnected from teachers and peers while using tech solo.
Peer Interviews Reveal Desired AI Capabilities
Interviews with diverse student groups uncover more insights on ideal learning technologies. Many request AI tutors, advisors and collaborators tailored to how they learn best. Students want AIs that explain concepts multiple ways, providing interactive models and examples. Some seek patient AI writing mentors that guide them through the creative process without judgment. Others imagine AI study buddies that quiz them or collaborate on project-based learning.
In contrast, students find many current AIs rigid and lacking the advanced capabilities they crave. The message is clear – students believe AI should enhance human teaching, not seek to replace it entirely. They desire the empathy, creativity, and inspiration only people provide.
Imagining Immersive XR Learning Experiences
Students also share exciting ideas for immersive extended reality environments that make learning interactive. Imagine exploring Mars’ surface alongside astrobiologists or performing open heart surgery guided by AI instructors. How about collaborating on art projects with peers in a 3D virtual studio? Other examples include enriching history lessons through time travel simulations and practicing public speaking to interactive VR crowds.
Yet students find many current VR/AR education options passive and boring – technology for technology’s sake. They underscore the difference between captivating experiences purposefully designed around learner needs versus gimmicky apps grafted onto curriculum.
Putting Learners in Charge of Tech Trajectories
So how can students move from frustrated consumers to active designers of the technologies reshaping their education? By organizing and advocating! Together, learners can demand seats at the table for education technology planning. They can pitch inspired ideas to companies and vote with their downloads. Students can even build the tools they want directly by forming tech clubs.
With support from adult allies, students can help redirect education technology toward its rightful beneficiaries – the learners. Afterall, the biggest experts on engaging young minds are young people themselves. We must trust their insights if we aim to prepare students for the future, not just optimize outdated systems. The possibilities for tech-enhanced education are boundless if students help guide the way.
As Julia observed, today’s students have so many ideas for how technology could elevate learning – if educators have the courage to ask and listen. With learner perspectives guiding development, imagine an education landscape where AI expands capacities, VR transports imagination, and students control their own digital destinies. The transformative power lies not in the tech alone, but in the creative minds it equips. Our task is clear: build the future of education technology for students, not systems.
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