Machine learning in education: 
10 use cases, examples, and benefits

Machine learning in education: 10 use cases, examples, and benefits

June 23, 2023

Aleksandr Ahramovich
by Aleksandr Ahramovich, Head of AI/ML Center of Excellence
Machine learning in education transforms the learning process and gives new tools for educational institutions to track and improve students' performance and engagement. The ML-enabled personalized approach helps to make education more inclusive, accessible, and engaging.

Let's explore the opportunities unlocked by machine learning in the education sector, along with some real-life examples and use cases. Then, consider potential challenges of its implementation and see how machine learning experts can solve them.

The role of ML in the educational sector

Machine learning technologies boost students' academic performance. According to McKinsey, 71% of students cited machine learning-powered teaching assistants as positive innovations in their educational process.

Scheme title: Students’ appreciation of learning technologies
*This technology helps me to improve my learning and my grade
Data source: mckinsey.com — Machine learning meets higher learning, 2022

$30B

predicted worth of the AI in education market by 2032, including ML

Global Market Insights

20%

the ML share of the AI in education market revenue in 2022

Global Market Insights

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ML for education: key functions

A sub-branch of AI technologies used in education, machine learning encompasses a comprehensive array of learning and training tools powered by self-improving deep learning algorithms that can process big data, identify key metrics, recurring patterns, and relations among variables, and therefore understand how such factors influence the core trends and scenarios in this sector.

EdTech service providers, corporate trainers, and educational institutions typically use machine learning in two ways:

Analytical functions

Some ML-based solutions use machine learning algorithms to analyze education-related data and provide valuable insights to enhance the learning experience. These include the recommendation engines of eLearning platforms, adaptive learning applications, and data analytics software for student performance tracking.

Operational functions

Key areas of AI application like natural language processing (NLP) and computer vision rely on machine learning to identify linguistic and visual patterns and autonomously learn how to replicate innate human capabilities, such as sight and communication. These represent the core of interactive tools like virtual tutors, educational robots, and real-time translation software.

10 ML use cases in education

Machine learning has numerous use cases in education and positively affects multiple learning environments, spurring massive interest in the broader adoption of AI-driven technologies.

Adaptive learning

ML-based predictive data analytics helps cater to the unique needs of every student. This technology has been implemented into several eLearning software solutions to monitor various parameters (such as exercise completion time, time spent on the platform, number of logins, and test results) and assess student performance, engagement, and learning patterns, or even forecast learning outcomes.

With the help of ML, adaptive platforms such as MobyMax, SchooLinks, Carnegie Learning's LiveLab, and Kidaptive can adjust individual learning activities in real-time or help teachers and students plan personalized curricula. Similar tools can deliver special educational programs for students affected by specific conditions, such as autism.

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Emerging technologies to pair with ML in education

Machine learning goes hand in hand with other technologies capable of disrupting a traditional educational process and making it interactive, engaging, and accessible for everyone.

Technology

Description

Value for education

Technology

Description

Value for education

VR creates an immersive digital reality simulation.

Virtual reality transforms the traditional approach to education, offering students an immersive learning environment that is more interactive and engaging. VR in education provides hands-on experience, eliminating some risks and potential dangers associated with practical studies, for example, in flight or driving simulation.

Technology

Description

Value for education

AR enhances the physical environment with additional digital content.

Augmented reality overlays digital information, including graphics, videos, and sounds, on top of the real-world environment. With the help of AR, teachers can enable students to grasp abstract concepts better.

Technology

Description

Value for education

IoT is a network of connected devices that can gather and exchange information and turn it into actionable insights.

IoT technologies enable schools to efficiently track their resources, improve the safety of their campuses and create new learning environments using smart boards and other connected devices.

Technology

Description

Value for education

RPA bots emulate human actions, automating various repetitive and time-consuming tasks.

RPA can streamline various educational processes, from attendance management and processing transcripts to answering queries and automating student feedback and survey analysis.

ML-powered eLearning apps and edTech platforms

Following the rise of eLearning, the education sector has experienced a proliferation of apps and platforms that allow individual users to study at their own pace and learning groups to interact in a highly collaborative virtual environment. Here are a few examples of online tools leveraging machine learning for various functions:

The unconventional educational approach embraced by this app combines digital activities and physical game pieces identified through a computer vision-powered camera. It aims to engage children with an interactive, gamified learning experience covering various subjects, including coding, math, spelling, and drawing.

Benefits of machine learning in education

Applying machine learning helps to evolve traditional teaching methods, reduce excessive paperwork handled by teachers and administrators, and ensure greater accessibility to education for everyone.

Personalized learning experience

Improved learning outcomes

Enhanced operational efficiency

Increased profitability

Fostered inclusivity

Reduced school dropout rate

Benefits

through tailored content recommendations, customized learning paths, and adaptive training activities.
via education analytics platforms to track student performance and adjust learning speed and personal curricula.
by automating several clerical duties, such as administrative, moderation, and evaluation tasks, via ML-powered bots.
of your educational services and training initiatives via targeted ads, cost monitoring, course optimization, and ROI analysis.
thanks to NLP-based real-time eLearning content translation and transcription, along with tailored learning pathways for special education.
by identifying at-risk students via learning analytics, assessing their areas of weakness, and designing tailored interventions.
Personalized learning experience
through tailored content recommendations, customized learning paths, and adaptive training activities.

The challenges of ML-driven education

AI-driven technologies, including ML for the education industry, are becoming more and more accessible every day. However, several persistent implementation challenges impede their widespread adoption, especially in socio-economically disadvantaged societies. How to overcome ML adoption barriers?

Challenge

Solution

Challenge

Privacy and data security

Challenge

Solution

Learning experience enhancements shouldn't come at the expense of personal data protection, which has always been a pain point of any ML-powered application requiring high-volume data sets. To comply with data management regulations ML models are trained with non-personal and obfuscated data.

Challenge

Obsolete infrastructure

Challenge

Solution

While several embodiments of machine learning in education aim to promote inclusivity, the requirements for hardware availability, data sources, and internet reliability can turn machine learning and EdTech into a source of further inequalities. Before implementing ML-based systems, education institutions should assess the available infrastructure, upgrade it if needed, and ensure they have an adequate budget.

Challenge

Deployment complications

Challenge

Solution

Educational institutions can also face ML adoption challenges triggered by a general lack of professional expertise, IT infrastructures, and implementation strategies required to readapt teaching methods. ML implementation will require the help of professional AI/ML experts for proper integration, continuous maintenance, and ML model retraining.

Challenge

Unsupervised machines

Challenge

Solution

Delegating repetitive tasks, such as grading, to ML-fuelled bots without human supervision may lead to unexpected results. For example, the International Baccalaureate implemented an automated scoring system to replace exams in a classroom with data-based evaluations during the COVID-19 lockdown, resulting in numerous anomalous grades and consequent outrage among students. ML software providers should monitor outliers and fine-tune the system to eliminate this risk and ensure algorithms work correctly.

Education 4.0: ML-driven future of learning

AI and machine learning in education drive growth and innovation, just like in any other industry. As cyber-physical systems become ubiquitous in various domains, schools and universities should incorporate emerging technologies into their curriculum to continue producing successful graduates. The upgraded learning process will help students prepare for new professional endeavors. Machine learning in education can reforge the approach to this essential component of personal development and make learning more enticing, productive, and inclusive. And our professional consultants and developers can make the ML adoption journey smooth and effective.

Personalized education

Immediate feedback

Preparing students for evolving industries

Automated administrative tasks

Access for all students

Education 4.0