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How Cognitive Software is Impacting Students

In science fiction movies, artificial intelligence is made to be something we should fear. It’s painted as something that could replace human beings. 

In action, artificial intelligence (AI) is being used to help people overcome obstacles. One area studies have shown this to be effective is in tutoring. 

An important thing to understand about artificial intelligence is that its key advantage over other forms of software is that AI adapts. You may have seen memes floating around social media where someone forced an AI software to “watch” a few hundred hours of a television program and then write a script for the show. What is happening here is the software is learning the things the program talks about and the general tone of the conversations in the scripts. It then takes that information to create its own unique version. This is cognitive software adapting and learning.

While art is arguably not the most effective use of artificial intelligence, studies have shown learning software can be a powerful use of this technology. 

Students who’ve practiced using cognitive tutor software for an hour twice a week to learn algebra have performed eight percentage points higher than students without this advantage. Eight percentage points is roughly moving up one grade, so a C- student becomes a C+ student.

The software has already learned where thousands of other students commonly make mistakes while learning algebra. As a student progresses, the artificial intelligence notices where the student is having trouble and is then able to focus the following problems on this trouble area for the student so they can better understand the material.

In a classroom setting where there are 30 students to one teacher, the teacher isn’t going to be able to notice where one student isn’t understanding the material, let alone tailor the rest of a lesson to diving deeper into that issue. 

Better yet, when a classroom full of students is engaged with cognitive software, a teacher is free to walk around the classroom and assist where they are most needed. 

At this point, we are still in the early stages of seeing what artificial intelligence software will be capable of accomplishing in a learning environment. Studies so far have hinted at hopes of more individualized attention for students and a deeper understanding of the material in less time.

Helping Students Learn in an Online Environment

Teachers and tutors who provide instruction online face additional challenges; keeping students’ attention in a traditional classroom is difficult, and working online can make it even harder for instructors to keep students engaged in the lesson and establish a personal connection.

The following steps are effective ways to establish a relationship with online students, increase student engagement and ensure that digital lessons are transformed into valuable, meaningful experiences.

Parents and instructors alike can benefit from tuning into their students’ response and adjusting the environment to be accommodating, comfortable and promote active learning.

Encourage Communication

Teachers and tutors should strive to make sure students are actively participating in the class. The only way to truly guage comprehension in an online setting is to openly discuss and engage with students over the course material.Communication occurs through conversation, not simply tests and exercises. Communication also helps build trust and confidence, making students more likely to ask questions and engage more later.

Choose the Right Platform

Teachers and parents of students should strive to choose a platform that feels natural, welcoming and intuitive. The right online tutoring platform will make learning easy and fun for students while being convenient and accommodating for instructors.
There should be limited but powerful ways for students to engage with the lesson, such as interactive games and lessons that allow students to physically connect with their coursework and get personalized feedback.

Minimize Distractions

There should be no TV, radio or distracting backgrounds when giving a lesson. Children who are taking online lessons should be in a quiet space without any disruption, including family moving in the background, younger siblings intruding or any other electronics.

Many students and online teachers are often separated by time zones, so cultivating an environment that creates a sense of continuity is essential to student success. This means that instructors should have a designated workspace and avoid any loud noises or interruptions during lessons.

Incorporate a Reward System

Reward systems with online tutors and teachers can make students feel accomplished, encourage hard work and make the experience more memorable. Incentivizing students while offering positive reinforcement for both good behavior and effort will ensure that online students feel connected to their instructor and truly remember the content they’re being taught.

Top Golf Courses in the World

Golf is easily one of the most popular sports in the world. It continues to rise in popularity every year because it is one of the few professional sports that can be played by almost everyone. While it is hard to beat playing a relaxing round of golf on a beautiful day, the experience is taken to another level when the game is played on an excellent course. These are four of the best golf course in the world.

Pebble Beach Golf Links

Pebble Beach has hosted some of the most iconic moments in PGA history since it opened in 1919. The course is so highly regarded that it has hosted the US Open a total of six times. It also does not hurt that nine holes at this stunning course sit directly on the picturesque Pacific Ocean. The best thing about this beautiful course is that it is completely open to the public.

St. Andrews Old Course

Scotland is the home of modern golf. The sport was played for the first time on the Old Course at St. Andrews in the early 1400s. St. Andrews has undergone a series of upgrades over the years, but it has always remained one of the top courses in the world. The historic relevance of the course has only grown over the years as it has hosted The Open Championship a total of 29 times.

Augusta National Golf Club

There is not a golf course in the world that has been a more crucial part of PGA history than Augusta National. This iconic course in Georgia has hosted The Masters Tournament every year since 1934. There may be courses with better layouts, but it is impossible to top the historic aura of Augusta National. This will always be known as the place where Tiger Woods won his first major tournament.

Royal County Down Golf Club

It is simply impossible to find a golf course in a more beautiful location than the Championship Course at Royal County Down in Newcastle, Northern Ireland. There are amazing views of mountains, trees and the ocean at every hole. While it does not have a rich history in the PGA, Royal County Down has seen plenty of great moments since opening in 1889.