Peking University, July 6, 2020: On June 29, the fourth session of the First International Salon on Teaching and Learning in Higher Education was held online. The theme of the event was “The Future Higher Education and AI”. Aya Yoshida, professor of Faculty of Education and Integrated Arts and Sciences at Waseda University, was the keynote speaker. More than 40 faculty members from Peking University participated in the online lecture through Zoom, along with more than 400 teachers from over 40 other universities.
Professor Aya Yoshida
Professor Yoshida delivered the lecture from the following five aspects: the extent to which AI can replace the role of teachers and teaching assistants, the problems calling for attention in the process of AI application, the ability and inability of AI, the capability human beings should preserve in the AI era and how to develop them, and the possible transformation of higher education in the future.
Professor Yoshida then presented several case studies with vivid videos in order to help participants get a glimpse of the current application of AI in teaching. For example, AI and VR can provide immersive digital environments for students to learn Chinese. In addition, AI can serve as teaching assistants to help organize tests. As a chatbot, AI can also accurately identify different students, teachers and provide advice for them according to their specific situations, thus effectively reducing the dropout rate.
Professor Aya Yoshida introducing AI application cases
Moreover, Professor Yoshida made an in-depth analysis of digital ethics in the application of AI. She believed that in higher education, more attention should be paid to the unique qualities of people rather than knowledge itself, and how to develop these qualities and abilities should be the mission of higher education.
Organized by the Center for Excellent Teaching and Learning at Peking University, the International Salon on Teaching and Learning in Higher Education aimed to establish a platform for university teachers in China to communicate with experts and scholars from world-class universities. The event was a good opportunity to learn advanced theories, share the achievements of teaching practices, broaden horizons, and innovate teaching methods.
Written by: Cui Minghang
Edited by: Zhou Meng
Source: PKU News (Chinese)
