Artificial Intelligence’s influence on education accessibility has become an increasingly common topic in IELTS Writing Task 2, appearing in various forms across recent test versions. Similar to The role of technology in public education, this theme explores how technological advancement shapes learning opportunities.
Students using AI-powered educational tools in a modern classroom setting
Task Analysis
Some people believe that artificial intelligence (AI) will make education more accessible to everyone. Others argue that AI will widen the educational gap between rich and poor countries. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.
This question requires examining both perspectives on AI’s impact on educational accessibility while presenting a personal stance.
Sample Essay 1 (Band 8.5)
The role of artificial intelligence in education has sparked considerable debate regarding its potential to either democratize learning or exacerbate existing educational inequalities. While both perspectives merit careful consideration, I believe AI’s benefits in expanding educational access will ultimately outweigh its potential drawbacks.
Those who support AI’s positive impact argue that it can make quality education available to previously underserved populations. AI-powered learning platforms can provide personalized instruction at a fraction of traditional education costs, similar to how The impact of technology on social equity has transformed other sectors. Additionally, language translation capabilities can break down linguistic barriers, enabling students to access educational content in their native languages.
However, critics contend that AI implementation requires substantial technological infrastructure and investment, which disadvantaged nations may struggle to provide. This disparity could further widen the educational gap between wealthy and impoverished regions, potentially leaving developing countries even further behind in the global knowledge economy.
In my assessment, while these concerns are valid, the transformative potential of AI in education outweighs these initial challenges. The decreasing cost of technology and increasing internet accessibility suggest that AI-powered educational tools will become more widely available over time. Furthermore, The benefits of community-based education shows how local initiatives can adapt and implement new technologies effectively.
In conclusion, although the implementation of AI in education presents certain challenges, its potential to democratize learning opportunities makes it a powerful tool for educational advancement globally.
Sample Essay 2 (Band 6.5)
Nowadays, many people have different opinions about AI in education. Some think it will help more people get education, but others worry it will make education harder for poor countries. I will discuss both sides and give my opinion.
First, AI can make education better for everyone. It helps students learn at their own speed and gives them special help when they need it. Also, AI programs are cheaper than traditional schools, so more people can afford to learn. This is good for poor people who want to study.
However, some people think AI will make problems worse. Poor countries don’t have good computers and internet. They need lots of money to buy AI systems. Rich countries can buy these things easily, but poor countries cannot. This means rich countries will get better education than poor ones.
In my opinion, I think AI is good for education. Even though there are problems now, technology is getting cheaper every year. Poor countries can also get help from other countries to use AI. Many companies are making AI programs that work on simple phones, which helps poor people use them.
To conclude, I believe AI will help make education better for everyone in the future, even though there are some problems now.
Band Score Analysis
Band 8.5 Essay:
- Task Response: Thoroughly addresses all parts of the task with well-developed ideas
- Coherence and Cohesion: Logical organization with clear progression
- Lexical Resource: Sophisticated vocabulary use (democratize, exacerbate, transformative)
- Grammar: Complex structures used accurately
Band 6.5 Essay:
- Task Response: Addresses main points but less developed
- Coherence and Cohesion: Basic organization with some progression
- Lexical Resource: Limited but adequate vocabulary
- Grammar: Mix of simple and complex sentences with some errors
Key Vocabulary
- democratize (v) /dɪˈmɒkrətaɪz/ – make something accessible to everyone
- exacerbate (v) /ɪɡˈzæsəbeɪt/ – make worse
- infrastructure (n) /ˈɪnfrəstrʌktʃə/ – basic physical systems of a country
- implementation (n) /ˌɪmplɪmenˈteɪʃən/ – the process of putting a plan into action
- transformative (adj) /trænsˈfɔːmətɪv/ – causing a major change
Future topics might include AI’s role in personalized learning, the ethics of AI in education, or AI’s impact on teaching methods. Practice writing your own essay on this topic and share it in the comments for feedback and discussion.