MoteCon 2023 introduced an exciting session titled "Mote has an AI-powered sister called Conker", presented by Will Jackson. This session delved into the innovative use of AI in education, focusing on how Conker can revolutionize the creation of assessments and save educators valuable time.
• Conker utilizes AI to streamline the creation of complex assessment questions, enhancing teacher productivity.
• The tool aims to reduce the cognitive load on teachers, allowing them to focus more on teaching and less on administrative tasks.
• Mote and Conker are designed to be user-friendly, ensuring that educators can easily integrate them into their workflow.
• Understanding the hype cycle of AI technologies helps educators set realistic expectations about their adoption and utility.
• The development of Conker is aligned with the latest advancements in AI, positioning it as a forward-thinking solution for educators.
Over the past year, the landscape of AI technology has dramatically evolved. Will Jackson highlighted how the team behind Mote observed these changes and identified an opportunity to innovate in the education sector. Inspired by the advancements in image generation and platforms like GPT, they embarked on creating Conker, a tool designed to assist educators in crafting assessments.
One of the core motivations for developing Conker was to address the significant time and effort teachers invest in creating assessments. By leveraging AI, Conker helps educators generate multiple-choice and complex questions more efficiently. The tool is particularly beneficial for those who utilize Mote within Google Forms, as it seamlessly integrates with existing workflows.
Will Jackson discussed the concept of the technology hype cycle, particularly in relation to AI advancements. He referenced the Gartner Hype Cycle, which outlines the progression of new technologies from initial excitement to eventual practical application. By understanding this cycle, educators can better navigate the adoption of AI tools like Conker and set realistic expectations for their capabilities.
1. **Peak of Inflated Expectations**: This initial stage sees a surge of excitement and experimentation with new technology.
2. **Trough of Disillusionment**: Users may experience disappointment as the technology doesn't immediately meet lofty expectations.
3. **Slope of Enlightenment**: Over time, the technology's potential becomes clearer, and more practical applications are developed.
4. **Plateau of Productivity**: The technology achieves mainstream adoption, delivering consistent value.
Conker represents a significant leap forward in applying AI within educational settings. By focusing on teacher-facing solutions, Conker ensures that educators have the tools they need to enhance their teaching without being overwhelmed by new technology. The session emphasized the importance of balancing innovation with practical utility, ensuring that AI tools like Conker are both powerful and accessible.
• Experiment with Conker to gradually integrate it into your assessment creation process.
• Use the tool to explore different types of questions, benefiting from its ability to generate diverse assessment formats.
• Stay informed about AI developments to make the most of new features and capabilities as they become available.
Will Jackson, a key figure in the development of Mote and Conker, brings a wealth of experience in educational technology. His insights at MoteCon 2023 provided educators with valuable perspectives on leveraging AI to enhance teaching and assessment creation.
Join Will (and Alex) to hear about what Conker is, how you can use Conker yourself, and what the Mote team have learned about AI in education over the past 12 months.
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