AI chatbots for education are transforming admissions, learning and student support. Here is why they work, how to choose and use one, and the top 10 options available.
Key takeaways:
- Personal learning: AI chatbots tailor content to each student’s performance and interests.
- Active learning: Questions and feedback guide students through problems and deepen understanding.
- Choose wisely: Look for ease of use, flexibility and key capabilities like NLP and machine learning.
- Use them well: Plan where bots fit in lessons, make them fun and use them to assess progress.
- Top 10 options: EduBot by BotSpice, Drift’s Mongoose Harmony, Amazon QnABot, IBM Watson, HubBot, Iggy, WotNot, Aivo, Botcore and Botsify.
When chatbots arrived on the digital scene in 2016, people were unsure whether the technology would last. Fast-forward to today, and chatbots are more popular than ever. This AI technology is here to stay and is used across many industries.
Education is one of the industries where chatbots have made a huge impact. From admissions to answering questions and acting as teachers’ virtual assistants, they have revolutionised how education works.
Use of this contactless technology grew after the pandemic. In fact, many educational institutions used chatbots to boost student participation in virtual classrooms.
Why AI chatbots are a powerful tool for education
Personalised learning
One of AI chatbots’ greatest strengths is personalising learning for each student. By tracking data such as performance, interests and demographics, they tailor content and delivery to every learner. This individual attention can boost engagement and motivation, and improve academic results.
Active learning
Beyond personal content, AI chatbots can engage students in active learning. By asking questions and giving feedback, they guide students through problem-solving and help them reflect on what they have learned. Research shows this kind of interactive learning promotes deeper understanding and better retention.
Finding the right platform for your chatbot
To create an AI chatbot for education, first find the right platform. Many platforms exist, each with its own features. The best way to choose is to try a few and see which works best for you.
Consider these factors when choosing a chatbot platform:
- Ease of use: The platform should have an intuitive interface that makes it simple to create and edit your chatbot’s conversations.
- Flexibility: It should let you customise your chatbot’s behaviour to match your needs.
- Capabilities: It should offer every feature you need for a powerful education chatbot. Key capabilities include natural language processing (NLP), machine learning and integrations with educational content providers.
For a broader comparison, see the top customer support chatbot platforms.
Best practices for AI chatbots in education
Build chatbots into your lesson plans
When you add a chatbot to a lesson plan, think about how it fits the lesson’s overall structure. Will it introduce the topic or help review what students learned? Will students use it alone or in groups? By planning how it relates to other activities, you make sure the chatbot supports learning rather than disrupts it.
Also think about how you will introduce the chatbot. Some educators demo it first, while others let students explore on their own. Either way, explain any features students should know about, such as understanding natural language or remembering past conversations.
Encourage students to use your chatbot
One of the best ways to encourage use is to make the chatbot engaging and fun. Give it a personality, or add games and quizzes to its conversation flow. You can also motivate students with rewards and badges. For example, award a badge for completing a set number of tasks with the chatbot. Whatever you choose, aim to keep students engaged and excited.
Assess student learning with AI chatbots
AI chatbots are valuable for assessment, because they track progress over time and show where students need extra support. When designing your assessment strategy, first decide what information you need and how often. Do you want daily progress reports or weekly summaries?
Once you set a schedule, choose which parts of the conversation flow will assess learning, and design them carefully. For example, add quiz questions at key points, or ask open-ended questions at regular intervals. With careful planning, your chatbot will provide valuable data that improves student outcomes.
The top 10 AI chatbots for education
1. EduBot by BotSpice
- An innovative solution for the education industry.
- Engages students and teachers through a well-designed approach.
- Bridges the communication gap between teachers and students.
- Makes much of the enrolment process simple and contact-free.
- Gives students a personal, one-on-one learning experience.
- Can be set up to answer a huge range of student questions.
- Best of all, it uses rich, contextual media to make learning fun.
2. Mongoose Harmony by Drift
- Guides website visitors to relevant content.
- Captures lead information and routes queries to the right staff.
- A website is the face of an institution, and this bot gives it a voice.
- Offers visitors highly personal, intelligent conversations.
- Fully customisable, so you can use it to strengthen your brand.
3. QnABot by Amazon
- Built by Amazon to answer students’ questions.
- Helps students sift through information to find what they need.
- Lets institutions add features to suit their needs.
- Collects student feedback, which is used to improve the experience.
- Especially helpful during enrolment.
4. Watson by IBM
- Used across the UK, Europe and the United States.
- Uses technology that speeds up responses to students.
- Can download and share documents when needed.
- Highly interactive, and answers specific questions.
- IBM makes developing the chatbot simple for any institution.
5. HubBot by HubSpot
- Similar to Watson and QnABot.
- Its extra feature is the ability to book meetings.
- Lets users ask basic questions based on a pre-loaded script.
- Automates conversations and closely imitates live human interaction.
- Students and staff find it straightforward and user-friendly.
6. Iggy
- Its youthful name suits institutions that want to improve students’ website experience.
- Students and parents can talk to Iggy by voice or text.
- Students can learn about campus visits and orientation plans.
- It answers from a loaded pool of questions and answers, so it can also assist teachers and lecturers.
7. WotNot
- Conversational bots that help universities and colleges streamline support, automate processes and boost admissions.
- Useful beyond admissions, it is always available when students need admin help.
- For example, it gives students personal help with the courses you offer.
- It also acts as a teaching assistant, answering academic questions.
- It helps students learn independently, which helps them learn better.
8. Aivo
- Part of the AI wave that has taken education by storm.
- Strengthens an institution’s student recruitment.
- Makes the application process simpler.
- Saves staff time for the university.
- Helps institutions work efficiently, so they can reduce headcount and save on salaries.
9. Botcore
- Offers several types of education chatbots that improve the student experience through machine learning.
- Makes teachers more efficient by answering many student questions.
- Best of all, you need no advanced technical knowledge to use these bots.
- Simplifies admin staff’s daily work, saving time and effort.
10. Botsify
- Its information and conversations are short and snappy, yet valuable and complete.
- Its education chatbots engage students on Facebook, Twitter, Skype and other apps.
- Makes learning fun and removes the need for many portals and email accounts.
- Its automated tutoring system is its most popular bot, improving interaction between AI and students.
- Students can get details of assignments, deadlines, clubs and other key parts of student life.
Conclusion
Whether you run a large university or a small tutoring centre, the growing chatbot market has something for you. Education chatbot prices vary widely, so they suit institutions of every size.
AI is here to stay, and education has wholeheartedly embraced this innovative, useful technology. These chatbots are a win-win for institutions and students alike.
In today’s technology-driven world, universities, colleges and tutoring centres in almost every developed country, and many developing ones, have invested in AI. Chatbots have become a crucial part of education and a vital part of the digital world. To dive deeper, read the future of student support: how AI is transforming colleges and universities, or explore chatbots in media and entertainment.