UA Scientists Using Facebook To Build 6-12 Learning Tool

A team of faculty at the University of Arizona in Tucson is building a new Facebook program intended to help middle and high school students learn how to teach themselves. Using a three-year, $1.4 million grant from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the project, called Teach Ourselves, will give users points for doing their homework, showing others how to work through math equations, translating word problems into other languages, critiquing a student's paper, writing educational Web applications, and producing electronic flashcards or an educational video.

The point of the research is to examine how students learn in a Web-based environment built for networking and entertainment. The effort is part of the team's larger effort to build the International Internet Classroom, which is working to centralize information and resources that could be of value to teachers.

Though details are still being worked out, users might eventually be able to cash in virtual points earned for tangible goods, such as college credit. The team is also sorting out how to sustain the program once funding ends and to monitor for cheating.

According to project co-lead Carole Beal, director of K-12 STEM education programs for the College of Science, the first phase of the project will include students from 15 states. Students from all 50 states will be able to participate by project's end.

"We're hoping students will want to do intellectual work outside of school and will find it rewarding," said Beal.

Chemistry, physics, biology and computer science are among the disciplines Teach Ourselves will focus on. The team is also developing the project to help students who have a difficult time with formal learning environments and offer lessons on subjects not typically taught in public schools, such as computer science. The social networking aspects of the initiative come into play because the program also encourages participants to help educate their friends.

About the Author

Dian Schaffhauser is a former senior contributing editor for 1105 Media's education publications THE Journal, Campus Technology and Spaces4Learning.

Featured

  • Abstract AI circuit board pattern

    Nonprofit LawZero to Work Toward Safer, Truthful AI

    Turing Award-winning AI researcher Yoshua Bengio has launched LawZero, a nonprofit aimed at developing AI systems that prioritize safety and truthfulness over autonomy.

  • stylized illustration of a desktop, laptop, tablet, and smartphone all displaying an orange AI icon

    Survey: AI Shifting from Cloud to PCs

    A recent Intel-commissioned report identifies a significant shift in AI adoption, moving away from the cloud and closer to the user. Businesses are increasingly turning to the specialized hardware of AI PCs, the survey found, recognizing their potential not just for productivity gains, but for revolutionizing IT efficiency, fortifying data security, and delivering a compelling return on investment by bringing AI capabilities directly to the edge.

  • magnifying glass with AI icon in the center

    Google Releases Learning-Themed AI Mode Features for Search

    Ahead of back-to-school season, Google has introduced new AI Mode features in Search, including image and PDF queries on desktop, a Canvas tool for planning, real-time help with Search Live, and Lens integration in Chrome.

  • sunlit classroom with laptops on every desk, each displaying a glowing AI speech bubble icon above the screen

    Copilot Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot to Become Available for Teen Students

    This summer, Microsoft is expanding availability of its Copilot Chat and Microsoft 365 Copilot products for students aged 13 and older. Administrators will be able to grant access for students based on their institution's plans and preferences, the company announced in a blog post.