The widespread use of emerging technologies in society and education may also reduce motivation for learning. Easy access to information, instructions and applications that make various activities easier can create a misconception of easy machine-assisted life. This misconception may reduce willingness to put effort into studies, especially among young people. It is therefore increasingly important for learners to be informed about the objectives of their studies and provided with justifications for why the knowledge, skills and competence that they are learning are needed. Without a broad knowledge base, it is difficult to distinguish facts or find connections between things.
High-quality pedagogical use of AI requires opportunities to try out and use AI applications or applications that utilise AI in teaching and studies. For learners, diverse working methods and learning environments promote learning and support well-being. AI applications can serve as inspiring assistants or tools in learning. That being said, we must also keep in mind that learning and the maturation of cognitive functions and thinking skills always require intellectual effort, problem-solving, interaction, concentration skills and persistence.
ECEC and education have not only objectives specific to learning areas, subjects and fields, but also objectives related to learning to learn. One of these is self-regulation of learning, which means regulation of the learner’s cognition, motivation, behaviour and emotions to achieve learning objectives. Technology can be seen as pedagogical support for self-regulation of learning, but teachers are considerably more skilled in taking context into account and adapting their activities accordingly.
There is currently very little research available on the use of AI applications in education applicable to the Finnish context. AI is part of the digitalisation of education and, at the same time, part of the planning and monitoring tools, learning materials and learning environments used in teaching. Following research in the sector is part of familiarisation with new technologies and efforts to increase understanding. In addition to research, the appropriate pedagogical use of AI is promoted by the sharing of user experiences and joint development.