On the 24 Nov 2023, at the ICOBI 2023 at NSBM Green University, I explored the exciting potential of Generative AI in reshaping education. We delved into how these advancements can not only enhance learning experiences but also address key challenges like the 2-Sigma problem. It's a journey of combining innovative technology with the indispensable human element to create a more inclusive, personalized, and effective education system. Let's embrace this digital transformation for the betterment of our society.

1. Keynote: ICOBI 2023, NSBM Green University of Sri Lanka - 24 November 2023
Generative AI in Education:
Catalyzing Digital Transformation for Societal
Advancement
Roshan G Ragel, BSc Engineering, PhD
Professor | Computer Engineering
University of Peradeniya

2. Senior Lecturer (since 2007), Professor (since 2017),
Department of Computer Engineering, University of
Peradeniya
IEEE Affiliation: Professional Member (since 2005), Senior
Member (since 2014)
Research Focus: IoT, Wearable Computing, Bioinformatics, AI
& ML
Professional Roles:
○ Consultant CEO, Lanka Research and Education
Network (LEARN)
○ Member, Presidential Task Force for Education 2020
○ UGC Standing Committee on IT & Online Education,
since 2020
○ Member of the Presidential Committee on AI for
Economic Development
○ Member of the Expert Panel for UNESCO Roundtable
for AI in Education for APAC
Prof. Roshan G Ragel: Biography

3. Can Everyone
in a Class Get
As?

4. • Benjamin Bloom’s 2-Sigma problem (1984)
• Bloom's Observation: Average tutored student outperforms 98% of the control class
The 2-Sigma Problem

5. • Central Challenge: Replicating one-to-one
tutoring benefits on a larger scale
• Resource Intensity: Bloom's recognition of
impracticality in conventional systems
Urging educators and researchers to find
scalable solutions with Digital
Transformation (Dx) and Generative AI
Challenge Posed by the 2-Sigma Problem

8. Primary Goals of Digital Transformation in Education
• Digital transformation aims to make education more
accessible and inclusive through technology, online
learning and assertive tools
01. Enhance accessibility
and inclusivity
• Education institutions use data for informed decision
making, optimizing resources and improving student
outcomes
02. Drive data-driven
decisions
• Digital transformation removes geographical barriers,
fostering cross-cultural learning and global networks
03. Globalize Education
• Institutions streamline expenses through efficient
resource allocation and the adoption of cost-effective
solutions like open educational resources (OER)
04. Manage Costs

9. Mastery of Material
● We should make a system where the only possible grade
is an ‘A’
○ It is not simply giving A to everyone
○ Rather, everyone should be allowed to reach to get an ‘A’
● There is no point of we recording the followings
○ Who is a fast learner
○ Who started to learn a material first (such as before starting the
course)

10. In the current system, at the time of the exam,
All
three
are
smart

11. A Stitch in Time Saves Nine

12. Flipped Classroom (Dx)
Peer Instruction
Consolidation Sessions
Casual Demonstrators
How did I do it?

13. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-S9BGcnEaCg
Everyone Should Get an A - Mastery
vs. Contemporary Learning
How did I do it?

14. • Benjamin Bloom’s 2-Sigma problem (1984)
• Bloom's Observation: Average tutored student outperforms 98% of the control class
The 2-Sigma Problem and Personalized Learning

15. Can We Do Better?

16. Generative AI
Artificial
Intelligence
Machine
Learning
Deep
Learning
Generative
AI

17. GenAI: Example

18. Source: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Technology, Artificial Intelligence and Future of Teaching and
Learning: Insights and Recommendations, Washington, DC, 2023. https://shorturl.at/aFJU5
Future Technology Capabilities
Familiar Technology capabilities Future Technology Capabilities
Input • Typing
• Clicking and dragging
• Touching and gesturing
• Speaking
• Drawing
• Analyzing images and video
Processing • Displaying information and tasks
• Sequencing learning activities
• Checking student work
• Assisting students and teachers
• Planning and adapting activities
• Revealing patterns in student work
Outputs • Text
• Graphics
• Multimedia
• Dashboards
• Conversations
• Annotating and highlighting
• Suggesting and recommending
• Organizing and guiding

19. The Future of Education with GenAI

21. The core issue - Resource Constraints
• Inadequate teacher-to-student ratios
• limited time for individualized instruction
• Insufficient financial resources
Guskey and Pigott (1988), Slavin (1987) highlighting resource challenges
Highly effective, one-to-one tutoring
"too costly for most societies to bear on a large scale" (Bloom, 1984)
GenAI: Resource Revolution and Beyond

22. • Beyond financial investment: Structural and systemic factors
• Introducing GenAI as a potential transformative solution
• Automating content generation and adapting to individual learner
needs
• Emphasizing the need for innovative approaches in educational
practices
GenAI: Resource Revolution and Beyond

23. Can GenAI help with Mastery Learning work??

24. Source: https://rb.gy/qs4t87

25. Source: https://rb.gy/b9n93s, https://rb.gy/kbgz9t

26. How AI Could Save
(Not Destroy) Education

27. Source: https://rb.gy/6f56m9

28. Always remember
the importance of
the human factor in
leading learning.
Tools and
technologies are
here to assist and
not to take over.

29. THANK YOU!
Roshan Ragel
roshanr@eng.pdn.ac.lk