Tag Archives: teaching

Seven Steps For Countries To Regulate Generative AI In Education

September 11, 2023 The Silo Leave a comment

Generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools have far-reaching implications for education and research.

Yet the education sector today is largely unprepared for the ethical and pedagogical integration of these powerful and rapidly evolving technologies.

A recent UNESCO global survey of over 450 schools and universities showed that less than 10% of them had policies or formal guidance on the use of GenAI applications, largely due to the absence of national regulations. And only seven countries have reported that they had developed or were developing training programmes on AI for teachers.

That is why UNESCO has developed and released the first-ever global Guidance for Generative AI in Education and Research to support countries amidst the rapid emergence of GenAI technologies.

The new guidance, recently launched during UNESCO’s flagship event Digital Learning Week in Paris, calls on countries to implement appropriate regulations, policies, and human capacity development, for ensuring a human-centred vision of GenAI for education and research.

What the guidance is proposing

The guidance presents an assessment of potential risks GenAI could pose to core humanistic values. It offers concrete recommendations for policy-makers and institutions on how the uses of these tools can be designed to protect human agency and genuinely benefit students, teachers and researchers.

The guidance proposes seven key steps for governmental agencies to regulate the use of GenAI in education:

Step 1: Endorse international or regional General Data Protection Regulations or develop national ones. The training of GenAI models has involved collecting and processing online data from citizens across many countries. The use of data and content without consent is further challenging the issue of data protection.

Step 2: Adopt/revise and fund national strategies on AI. Regulating generative AI must be part and parcel of broader national AI strategies that can ensure safe and equitable use of AI across development sectors, including in education.

Step 3: Solidify and implement specific regulations on the ethics of AI. In order to address the ethical dimensions posed by the use of AI, specific regulations are required.

Step 4: Adjust or enforce existing copyright laws to regulate AI-generated content: The increasingly pervasive use of GenAI has introduced new challenges for copyright, both concerning the copyrighted content or work that models are trained on, as well as the status of the ‘non-human’ knowledge outputs they produce.

Step 5: Elaborate regulatory frameworks on generative AI: The rapid pace of development of AI technologies is forcing national and local governance agencies to speed up their renewal of regulations.

Step 6: Build capacity for proper use of GenAI in education and research: Schools and other educational institutions need to develop capacities to understand the potential benefits and risks of GenAI tools.

Step 7: Reflect on the long-term implications of GenAI for education and research: The impact and the implications of GenAI for knowledge creation, transmission and validation – for teaching and learning, for curriculum design and assessment, and for research and copyright.

A human-centered vision for digital learning and AI

The guidance is anchored in a humanistic approach to education that promotes human agency, inclusion, equity, gender equality, cultural and linguistic diversity, as well as plural opinions and expressions. In line with UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and the Beijing Consensus on Artificial Intelligence in Education, it also responds to the flagship report, Reimagining our futures together: A new social contract for education which calls to redefine the relationship between humans and technology.

UNESCO is committed to steering technology in education, guided by the principles of inclusion, equity, quality and accessibility. The latest Global Education Monitoring Report on technology in education highlighted the lack of appropriate governance and regulation. UNESCO is urging countries to set their own terms for the way technology is designed and used in education so that it never replaces in-person, teacher-led instruction, and supports the shared objective of quality education for all.

Travel

Best Countries For Post Covid Study Abroad Programs

March 1, 2021 The Silo Leave a comment

As more students are heading towards graduation each year, the struggle to get a graduate job is becoming more difficult, and students have to ensure strong CVs in order to stand out from the crowd. The Covid pandemic has put a halt to students having options in countries other than their own. However, with a bit of luck, the pandemic will continue to end and travel restrictions will be eased. When that happens, international students will finally be allowed to return to studying abroad, learning new skills and experiencing new cultures.

Although this may be seen as one long holiday to those not in the know, those that study abroad will, in fact, have a higher starting salary, earning an extra 5% more than those who don’t. On average, this could amount to an extra £75,000 ($126,709 CDN at time of this article) over a career.

Not only will they earn more, they are also almost ¼ less likely to be unemployed after graduation. So although all study abroad programs come with a cost, with readily available bursaries, this opportunity is accessible to any student who is hoping to boost their employ-ability and is an opportunity that should be taken.

• Business and Finance Students – China: As the second largest economy in the world, China offers endless business opportunities, whilst encouraging students to learn the most widely spoken language in the world, Mandarin.

• Medical Students – South Africa: Of the 234 million surgical procedures made every year, just 4% of these happen in the poorest third of the global population. When medical students choose to volunteer in South Africa, they will gain experience in a different medical setting, and all whilst giving back.

• Education Students – Australia: As an English-speaking country, Australia is the perfect study abroad opportunity for future teachers. With the average UK class size standing at 30 pupils, the Australian’s average size of 16 will be a lot easier to manage. Plus for those who decide to stay in Australia long-term, new teachers can expect to earn £40,000+ ($67,572 CDN) compared to the £22,000 ($37,164 CDN) starting salary in the UK.

• Conservation – Madagascar: Conservation is a growing industry as concern grows for animals and the environment. As the fourth largest island in the world, and as home to species not found anywhere else, Madagascar is the perfect opportunity for a once in a lifetime opportunity for conservation enthusiasts.

• Art & Design Students – Italy: From ancient and classic sculpture to modern day art, Italy is the perfect place to learn and gain an even greater passion for art history.

• Humanities Students – USA: With three of the top five humanities universities based in the USA, America offers a vast array of historical and literary studying options. This time abroad will open up options for students who are wanting to work in academia, journalism or teaching.

For the Silo, Bekki Ramsay/storageworld.

Sci-Tech

How Technology Will Shape Teaching In The Future

January 13, 2020 The Silo Leave a comment

In the past decade and a half cellphones have evolved from contraptions you make calls from to devices that do so much more. Now they can help you organize your social life, perform your banking and act as a food diary. There’s an app to be found that is based on your entire existence!

With tablets being commonly used in schools, and the fact that ICT is a relatively new subject, technology is changing the way students are being taught.

In this piece, we’ll provide a comprehensive guide of how technology will shape the future of education and what students will be studying and using in years to come.

From making use of 3D printers, to using virtual reality as part of an immersive learning experience, the possibilities are endless!

So what are you waiting for? Take that first step to get ahead in the future by having a sneak peek in this infographic from our friends at educationcity.com.

Culture

Most Popular MBA Specializations

March 23, 2019 The Silo Leave a comment

The MBA is inherently a generalist program, which aims at educating students on how to become better managers and handle businesses successfully. But quite recently, a lot on business schools have incorporated a large number of ‘specializations’ to their MBA courses to give students a deeper dive into the subjects of their choice. For example, the INSEAD MBA boasts of a choice of 75 elective courses for the students.

The world is changing at a fast pace. With the introduction of new technologies and the demand for skilled professions to manage those tasks, novel modules like blockchain, artificial intelligence, and neuroscience which were barely significant a decade ago have been incorporated into many major MBA programs around the globe. Be it an MBA in Canada, the US or the UK, these specializations help in preparing students for specific business challenges that they would face in the fields of their choice. It also greatly helps in certain specific sectors such as hospitality, healthcare, luxury, and sports.

There is a pressing need to diversify the portfolio of courses to meet the latest market trends, requests by students and the dynamic requirements of recruiters.

Here we would be discussing the various specializations to help you choose the best career path in your management endeavor.

1. Marketing

With the increasing competition in the marketplace, there is a need for excellent marketing skills and competitive positioning to differentiate your products and services and ensure a long term and sustainable profitability. Students opting for this specialization get useful insights into key marketing strategies such as competitive analysis, market research, consumer behavior analysis, business ethics, product and brand management, digital marketing, advertising, and e-commerce.

2. Human Resources

This specialization involves a systematic and organized study on how to acquire, manage and retain workforce within an organization to achieve the goals of the organization. HR managers also ensure that there is a cordial relationship between the management and the employees. They may also be required to organize and coordinate various activities like off-site visits and employee get-togethers to keep alive the office culture.

3. Finance

If you are excited about financial data and numbers, this specialization is for you. It accounts for almost 22% of the MBA career choices, and this trend can be attributed to the higher pay packages offered and the wide varieties of job opportunities as compared to other streams. It gives you thorough insights into the functioning of the financial world and the knowledge of various financial theories that would help you to solve various business problems that you might encounter. Common job profiles include investment banking, credit risk management, and portfolio management.

4. Information Systems

Digital innovations and the introduction of technology in almost all industries has produced a growing demand for professionals who possess sound managerial skills coupled with advanced technical expertise. It gives you knowledge about the emerging technological innovations in the field of IT and enables you to handle areas like network security, systems analysis, data analytics, supply chain management, and e-business along with managerial decision-making.

5. Consulting

The scope of higher pay packages and the opportunity to travel to places lures MBA graduates into going after this profession. You may be expected to provide opinions and solutions to the issues faced by the organization, or even take the responsibility of handling projects beyond the scope of the internal staff. Common job roles offered are IT/technology consulting, strategy consulting, operations consulting, investment consulting and advertising.

6. Operations Management

This specialization teaches students to effectively manage the planning, organization and production/manufacturing of products and services to maximize the overall efficiency of the organization. You can consider this specialty if you have interest in logistics or supply chain management.

7. Entrepreneurship

If you want to establish your startup with the available resources, this specialization is for you. It offers critical business development and management knowledge that is required to set up and run a business successfully. Moreover, it teaches the requisite skills that entrepreneurs must possess to pitch their ideas and secure funding. The curriculum incorporates theoretical teaching with practical projects to give the students a taste of the real world.

For the Silo, Merin Mathew.

Sci-Tech

New Book Is Inventors Guide To Open Source Arduino Microcontroller

July 7, 2017 The Silo Leave a comment

San Francisco, CA —School’s out for summer, but learning doesn’t have to stop at the classroom door. For parents and educators looking to keep their students exploring, tinkering, and creating, No Starch Press offers the latest addition to its lineup of STEM books. This time focusing on the Arduino microcontroller.

The Arduino Inventor’s Guide (No Starch Press, $29.95USD, 336 pp., June 2017) is a project-packed introduction to building and coding with the Arduino microcontroller. With each hands-on project, total beginners learn useful electronics and coding skills while building an interactive gadget.

This is No Starch Press’s second installment in its introductory-level educational series for aspiring makers. The series is a collaboration with SparkFun Electronics, the popular electronics parts retailer dedicated to making the world of electronics more accessible to the average person. Authors Brian Huang and Derek Runberg of SparkFun’s Department of Education use their teaching experience to make learning about electronics an adventure.

“We wanted to share the magic that happens when you build something interactive with electronics,” says Huang. “The goal is to teach real, valuable hardware skills, one project at a time,” adds Runberg.

Readers learn how to make their hardware move, buzz, flash, and interact with the world as they build 10 projects, including:

A miniature traffic light
A light-sensitive, color-changing night-light
A temperature-sensing mini greenhouse
A motorized, programmable robot
A tiny, playable electric piano

“We’ve teamed up with SparkFun to make electronics and coding skills achievable for anyone,” says No Starch Press founder Bill Pollock. “This book will take total beginners from blinking their first LED to programming their first robot.”

Sample pages from The Arduino Inventor’s Guide:

For the Silo, Amanda Hariri.

About the Authors

Brian Huang is the Education Engineer for SparkFun Electronics. He combines his knowledge of teaching and engineering to create professional development materials.

Derek Runberg works in the Department of Education at SparkFun Electronics, where he runs workshops about technology in classrooms and at conferences. He is the author of The SparkFun Guide to Processing.

SparkFun Electronics is an online retail store that sells electronic parts for DIY projects. It offers classes for the public as well as resources, tutorials, and professional development for educators through its Department of Education.

The Arduino Inventor’s Guide
Publisher: No Starch Press
Authors: Brian Huang and Derek Runberg
Print ISBN: 978-1-59327-652-2
Price: $29.95USD
Publication Date: June 2017
Specs: 336 pp., 4C Available in fine bookstores everywhere, contact marketingdirector@thesilo.ca for locations near you and online ordering information.About No Starch Press
From deep in the heart of San Francisco’s start-up gulch, No Starch Press carefully crafts the finest in geek entertainment. The growing list of award-winning No Starch Press bestsellers covers topics like LEGO, hacking, STEM, programming, science, and math. Our titles have personality, our authors are passionate, and our books tackle topics that people care about.