A year ago, most language instructors were largely unaware of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Today though, AI is attracting considerable interest from instructors who are aggressively exploring how it can be integrated into language teaching and learning.

However, in their rush to embrace AI tools and models, instructors can be tempted to rely uncritically on AI without properly considering how it might fundamentally affect the language learning paradigm.

In this presentation, we will detail some of the strategies we are putting in place at the Language Resource Center to help Columbia’s language instructors harness the potential of AI. These include organizing professional development workshops to introduce instructors to AI; providing instructors with opportunities to interact with AI tools and technologies; and demonstrating how AI can be enhance specific aspects of language learning.

We also make instructors aware of the problems associated with an aggressive, uncritical expansion of AI including how overreliance on AI diminishes opportunities for students to interact with human teachers and peers; how AI can provide students with misleading information which can lead them to learning incorrect language usage; how AI can stifle students' ability to think critically and express themselves creatively; and how an uncritical usage of AI can foster a dependency on technology which can impede a student’s ability to communicate effectively in real-world situations.

The overall message we convey is that, going forward, instructors will have to learn to balance between AI and human-led language education to ensure a positive impact on learners and educators alike.

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Abstract Summary
In this presentation, we will detail some of the strategies we are putting in place at the Language Resource Center to help Columbia’s language instructors harness the potential of AI. These include organizing professional development workshops to introduce instructors to AI; providing instructors with opportunities to interact with AI tools and technologies; and demonstrating how AI can be enhance specific aspects of language learning.

Authors:
Stephane Charitos, Columbia University, United States
Christopher Kaiser, Columbia University, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Stephane Charitos is a School Administrator at Columbia University in the City of New York in United States

See this presentation on the full schedule – Sunday Schedule

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