▲ A student using a digital educational device (Source: iclickart)

Many people are closely paying attention to the AI digital textbooks program that will be introduced next year. Last June, the Ministry of Education announced a plan to promote AI digital textbooks for digital education innovation. To provide customized learning tailored to each student's ability and level, AI digital textbooks utilize intelligent information technology, including artificial intelligence, and are equipped with various learning materials and functions. The plan is to reduce the educational gap for each student and provide customized education that fosters everyone into talented individuals. Starting next year, it will first introduce the subjects of mathematics, English, information technologies, and Korean language (special education), and along with the gradual expansion of attaining the goal of introducing all subjects with AI digital textbooks by 2028.

The education community's response to the introduction of AI digital textbooks is positive. In April of this year, the Korean Federation of Teachers' Associations conducted a 'Survey on AI Digital Textbook Policy' targeting 2,247 elementary, middle, and high school teachers nationwide. 53.7% of respondents said that the introduction of AI digital textbooks would be ‘helpful’ for ‘customized education for all’ using AI, while only 20.9% said it was ‘normal’ and 25.4% said it would ‘not be helpful.’ As for the advantages of introducing AI digital textbooks, 35.6% of respondents said that, "individualized learning coaching is possible with collected student learning data," 29.5% said that, "It encourages students to take the initiative in learning areas they are lacking," and 25.25% said that, "Accumulation and big data of evaluation results are effective as basic data for improving student education."

However, parents' response to the ministry's policy has not been positive. There are concerns that the increased use of digital devices anticipated by the introduction of AI digital textbooks may negatively impact brain development in growing children and adolescents, and could potentially lead to a decline in literacy skills. In particular, parents are very concerned about their students' addiction to digital devices. According to the paper ‘Reading on a smartphone affects sigh generation, brain activity, and comprehension’ published in the international scientific research journal Nature in January 2022, literacy skills decline when reading from electronic devices.

These parents' concerns also led to actual actions. On May 27, a petition against the introduction of AI digital textbooks was posted on the National Assembly's 'Public Consent Petition' site under the title of ‘Petition to Delay the Ministry of Education's Introduction of AI Digital Textbooks in 2025.’ The petition was referred to the Board of Education, the standing committee, because it obtained the consent of 56,000 people within 30 days.

Sweden, which introduced AI textbooks in earlier years, is going back to paper textbooks as it experiences problems with declining students' literacy skills. Sweden is shifting its education policy to emphasize handwriting and reading from paper books. According to the International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement (IEA)'s ‘Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS)', Swedish fourth graders scored 555 points (with a median score of 500) on a reading test in 2016, but dropped 11 points to 544 points in 2021. To solve this problem, the Swedish government will invest 685 million kronor (about 82.3 billion won) in purchasing books for each school, and will provide an additional 500 million kronor (about 60 billion won) per year thereafter.

On the other hand, the Korean Ministry of Education is still resolute in regards to introducing AI digital textbooks. On August 21, Deputy Prime Minister of social affairs and Minister of Education Lee Ju- ho held ‘the 41st Together Teatime Meeting,’ where he discussed ‘AI Digital Textbooks Supporting Digital- Based Educational Innovation’ with 12 parents. He emphasized that, "AI digital textbooks analyze and diagnose students' learning situations and recommend personalized content based on the results, allowing students to engage in customized learning that matches their abilities and pace." He also promised, "The Ministry of Education will strengthen digital and media literacy education to ensure that students grow up as digital citizens, who use digital technology proactively and responsibly."

Despite parents' concerns, AI digital textbooks are expected to be introduced next year according to the Ministry of Education's policy. As the Swedish case shows, the introduction of AI digital textbooks can bring about unexpected side effects along with positive aspects. In order to minimize concerns about students' declining literacy skills and the problem of excessive dependence on digital devices, and to increase actual learning effectiveness, careful preparation and effort seem necessary.

By Son Yu-jeong, cub-reporter  ujeong0202@naver.com

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