What do lecturers do to compete in knowledge with AI?

Artificial intelligence applications such as ChatGPT, Gemini... today can answer quickly, accurately and in many fields, forcing lecturers to constantly update to maintain professional reputation.

PRESSURE AND ADVANTAGE

Sharing about how the explosion of technology, especially artificial intelligence (AI), will impact the role of university lecturers, Master Bui Thanh Tu, lecturer of the Faculty of Information Technology, Ho Chi Minh City University of Foreign Languages ​​and Information Technology, affirmed that the role of lecturers has clearly shifted. From being the person imparting knowledge - the center of the teaching and learning process, lecturers have gradually become instructors, academic advisors and creators of learning experiences for students.

"Knowledge is no longer as scarce as before. Therefore, it is more important that lecturers help students know how to search, select, analyze and apply information creatively and responsibly. Lecturers today not only determine what to teach, but also guide students how to learn and what to learn for," said Master Thanh Tu.

The female lecturer believes that the difficulties that university lecturers are facing are competing with AI for knowledge, when models like ChatGPT, Gemini... can answer quickly, accurately and in many fields, forcing lecturers to constantly update to maintain professional reputation.

Lecturers in the technology era must shift from the "one-way communication" method to "multi-way interaction"

PHOTO: NHAT THINH

In addition, there is the pressure of digital transformation. Applying technology to teaching requires lecturers to have digital skills, the ability to design interactive lectures and adapt to online learning platforms.

"Technology also changes students' learning psychology. They are used to speed, visuality and instant feedback. This forces lecturers to innovate methods to attract and retain students," shared Master Thanh Tu.

However, AI is also a support tool to help lecturers more easily prepare lectures, automatically evaluate, analyze learners' abilities, thereby personalizing the learning process. At the same time, it helps lecturers have more time for creative thinking, scientific research and deep interaction with students.

FROM "ONE-WAY COMMUNICATION" TO "MULTI-WAY INTERACTION"

Faced with the above reality, according to Master Thanh Tu, teachers need to innovate teaching methods and inspire students by shifting from "one-way communication" to "multi-way interaction".

"Lecturers need to integrate technology and AI into teaching. Use simulation support tools, online learning, learning chatbots, or automatic practice questions. Along with that, promote project-based learning, helping students learn through experience and solve real problems. Especially, it is necessary to inspire learning through stories, real-life situations and creativity, which AI cannot convey," said Master Thanh Tu.

According to this lecturer, another important thing that lecturers need to focus on is developing critical thinking skills, digital ethics and lifelong learning skills for students, helping them adapt to an ever-changing environment.

Lecturers and students at a lecture hall

PHOTO: TU NGUYEN

Sharing about whether AI is a "threat" to the teaching profession as many are concerned today, Master Bui Thanh Tu affirmed that AI can provide information, explain concepts, even support simulation and personalize learning, but cannot replace the role of humans in education . Because lecturers are not only "teachers of knowledge" but also inspirers, moral role models and emotional companions to students.

"AI can understand the semantics of questions, but cannot understand the deepest worries, dreams or motivations of humans. A true teacher not only teaches "how to do" but also "how to be a human", something that no algorithm can replace. Therefore, AI should be seen as a support tool, while teachers are still the soul of the educational process," the female lecturer commented.

Change or be replaced!

After more than 25 years standing on the podium, now, in the context of technology developing and strongly impacting education, I suddenly think about my teaching profession.

There was a time when everyone knew the saying "Learning from a teacher is better than learning from a friend" but today, students tell each other: "Learning from a teacher is better than learning from... ANYONE."

The statement sounds like a joke but is actually a stern warning for teachers. The world is changing faster than any curriculum can update. AI is no longer just a tool, but an invisible teacher, knowledgeable, tireless, and able to respond to each student individually - what modern education calls individualization.

Students today no longer come to class just to recite what they already know. They need to be inspired, challenged, challenged, and exposed to reality. They need to see in their teachers not a “container of knowledge,” but a “guide”: someone who can open minds, inspire a desire to learn, and live responsibly in the data age.

If the teacher just stands on the podium, rereading the old PowerPoint, confident that "AI cannot replace humans", then that will soon be wrong, because at that moment, the teacher has replaced himself with old habits. And then, like street photographers in the smartphone era, they will gradually disappear, quietly - not because they are eliminated, but because no one needs them anymore.

It's time for every teacher to ask themselves: "What value does my lesson today bring to my students - in a world where complete knowledge is just a few seconds away?" If the answer is not convincing enough, take it as a necessary signal to start over.

Let's change because only then will the teaching profession truly survive. And teachers, then, will be worthy of being honored by society.

Master VU DUY CUONG (Head of Quality Assurance and Examination Department, Ho Chi Minh City University of Law)

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/giang-vien-lam-gi-de-canh-tranh-tri-thuc-voi-ai-185251113155810197.htm