#United States #Princeton #AI Learning #Education Grant #ETS Research Institute

ETS Research Institute Secures $4 Million Grant for AI in Education

The ETS Research Institute has made a significant leap in the field of educational technology by being awarded a four-year, $4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education. Teaming up with the University of Memphis and Georgia State University, this initiative represents a proactive response to the increasing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in academic settings and aims to enhance the learning experience for college students.

The generous funding is part of the Department of Education's Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) initiative, which recently allocated $169 million in grants to strengthen teaching and learning at the postsecondary level. As the landscape of education evolves with the rapid adoption of generative AI tools by students, this project seeks to establish best practices that leverage AI's potential to deepen comprehension and foster critical thinking.

Kadriye Ercikan, the Senior Vice President of Global Research at ETS, commented on the importance of this funding, stating, "As generative AI reshapes education, our responsibility is to set a standard for how AI can deepen learning, strengthen critical thinking, and empower both students and educators." This statement reflects the central ambition of the grant: to pioneer research that ultimately shapes the future of learning through scientific rigor and innovative methodologies.

Over the next four years, the joint team will embark on multiple objectives aimed at harnessing AI's capabilities to improve educational practices. One of the key focuses is the development of scenario-based learning and assessments (SBLAs). These educational models will integrate AI in a way that encourages deep learning, enhances critical thinking, and promotes AI literacy among students across various disciplines.

The SBLAs will immerse students in realistic problem scenarios specific to their fields of study, urging them to make guided decisions, receive expert feedback, and apply what they have learned in innovative ways. The project aims to cultivate not just the ability to use AI tools but also the critical understanding necessary for responsible engagement with these technologies.

In collaborating with diverse postsecondary settings—including two public universities and a community college—the team hopes to refine these assessments and instructional models, ensuring they meet a wide range of student needs. At the conclusion of the grant period, the initiative aims to have produced approximately 20 SBLAs, which are expected to reach over 2,000 students, demonstrating improvements in instructional practices, student engagement, and overall learning outcomes.

Zuowei Wang, the Principal Investigator leading the project, is joined by co-PIs Tenaha O'Reilly and Patrick Kyllonen from ETS, and academic counterparts John Sabatini from the University of Memphis, as well as Jonathan Cohen and Joseph Magliano from Georgia State University. Together, they are forging a collective effort to develop a national model for teaching and assessment that effectively integrates AI, positioning students to become not just adept users of technology but responsible learners who can think critically about its implications.

As the educational community grapples with the challenges posed by the unstructured and often inconsistent use of AI tools among students, this project stands as a beacon of innovative education practices. The research aims to counteract tendencies towards superficial learning and instead enable students to engage deeply, reflect thoughtfully, and navigate ethical dilemmas in instruction and assessment.

With ETS's long-standing commitment to ensuring that learners are prepared for the future workforce, they are positioning themselves to be at the forefront of educational innovation. The organization serves over 50 million individuals each year, providing them with the necessary assessments and skills needed for future readiness.

In summary, the strategic investment of $4 million into this initiative underscores the vital importance of adapting educational practices to incorporate advancing technologies. By setting a standard for responsible AI integration, the ETS Research Institute and its partners hope to lead a paradigm shift in higher education that will benefit educators and students alike for years to come.