Tere Tallinnast! Kuidas läheb? Hello from Tallinn! How are you?
In the western half of Europe, access to personal computers in the late 1970s and early 1980s allowed many children to learn how to program computers from an early age. Not so in Estonia. Estonia’s e-revolution didn’t begin until the dissolution of the USSR on December 31st, 1991. Shortly after, on January 1st, 1992, Estonia’s e-revolution, or so it seemed. Today, over thirty years and one generation later, our schools are teaching youngsters how to program computers. This is partly thanks to Tiigrihüpe Sihtasutus, or the Tiger Leap initiative, a foundation launched by the Estonian government in 1996 to encourage computer literacy. This has resulted in computer and internet access for all Estonian schools accompanied by digital skills training for students and their teachers, and the creation of educational software tools. The outcome of all this investment in people and technology is that Estonia is now one of the most internet-connected countries in Europe if not the world. Everything is done online including government functions, health record integration, on-line voting, entertainment and much more. We also have an active tech start up sector.
Today, EuroReach is particularly interested in Artificial Intelligence (AI), which has been dominating the headlines around the world for the last few years. AI has its many supporters and detractors.
For teachers and educators, AI means personalised learning plans can be created; administrative tasks can be made easier through automation of labor-intensive processes; AI can offer Smart content creation bit like an e-ntelligent Wikipedia; these are just a few examples. For the student, AI can offer adaptive learning: think of Duolingo which tailors lessons to one’s individual learning needs; provide study resources with 24/7 access; assistive tools for those with visual impairments or dyslexia; feedback and assessment, and automated tutoring and assistance; AI isn’t perfect, but it is becoming a valuable tool that is making long-life learning accessible to many people.
However, we must be careful not to allow AI to make us complacent detracting from the human creative process that is so important in the Arts and Sciences, but it should be embraced as a tool to enhance and support these creative endeavors.
Nägemist! See you next time!