AI is rapidly changing education and research needs to keep up
The article argues that the rapid adoption of generative AI in classrooms (nearly two-thirds of teachers now use AI) has outpaced the research methods used to evaluate its effectiveness. Traditional randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are ill-suited for AI because AI tools are unstable, rapidly evolving, and used in varied ways. The author advocates for implementation research and development (R&D) as a more agile approach, focusing on iterative testing, real-time data capture, and design-focused experiments (e.g., A/B testing) before large-scale impact evaluations. Examples include IES-funded generative AI centers and partnerships like Leanlab Education. The piece calls for funders and researchers to prioritize actionable evidence over perfect but delayed evidence.
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