According to the Ministry of Education, “Artificial Intelligence Digital Textbook” (AIDT) will be introduced in schools starting next year. Beginning in March 2025, AIDT will be implemented for 3rd and 4th-grade elementary students, 1st-year middle school students, and 1st-year high school students. AIDT will be introduced first in mathematics, English, and informatics, with plans to expand it to all grades and subjects by 2028. While AIDT has been used in certain cities abroad, Korea will be the first country in the world to adopt it nationally.
The core framework of AIDT is personalized learning for students. Despite having different learning levels, all students have been given the same problems and educational services. With AIDT, students can evaluate their abilities and receive learning support customized to their needs. Based on learning data, AIDT offers a learning environment that considers each student’s pace and style, ensuring a more customized educational experience. As AIDT is provided as online software, it can include various technologies such as the metaverse, extended reality, and voice recognition, to enhance learning outcomes.
However, some parents and teachers are voicing their concerns about AIDT. A national agreement petition in the Assembly requesting a postponement of AIDT’s implementation has garnered over 50,000 signatures. The main concern for parents is that AIDT may increase students’ use of electronic devices, potentially leading to negative effects. Professor Kwon Il-nam of Myongji University’s Department of Youth Guidance said, “If students are engrossed in digital devices, they may only focus on certain stimuli, which may reduce their learning ability.”
Some teachers argue that the timing for the implementation of AIDT is not appropriate. The Ministry of Education initially planned to complete the AIDT review by last August, but the process has now been delayed by three months. Consequently, there are concerns about not having enough time to test AIDT firsthand and address potential problems.
In response to these concerns, Lee Ju-ho, Minister of Education, emphasized that “The use of digital devices in learning is an excellent means of developing digital competencies.” He also pointed out that other advanced educational countries are adopting digital education. As we stand at this educational crossroads, it is crucial to observe the impact of AIDT on school education.
