Addressing the needs of diverse learners in the age of AI

What would you see if you walked into a Sharjah classroom today?

- Dr. Salma Waly is an Assistant Professor at Sharjah Education Academy.

A beautiful mix of students with different home languages, cultural backgrounds and learning needs sitting together and ready to learn. The diversity of our classrooms in the UAE is what makes teaching very special. It is also what makes it a bit complex.

Many are correct to say: There is a no-sizefits-all approach that would work in such an environment. A solution is needed! Al is not only the buzz word nowadays but also the solution that many educators resort to for the purpose of differentiating and making learning relevant to the needs of students. But can these tools truly understand the diverse realities of our classrooms? Do they help all learners equally, or risk leaving some behind?

In the age of Al, inclusion should never be compromised. Every child regardless of their ability and background should be taught in ways that best accommodate their needs. In this article, I invite you to reflect on the three points below hoping that these would guide the way you think about and use Al in your teaching.

The Promise and the Paradox of Al in Education