Khanmigo and its pioneering role in the AI education era

Khanmigo – an AI assistant dedicated to education – helps students hone critical thinking through the Socratic method and equips teachers with digital skills, contributing to the digital transformation of education in Vietnam.

Khanmigo uses the Socratic method – a foundation for education in the AI era

In the era of artificial intelligence (AI), as OpenAI launched Study Mode and Google introduced Guided Learning on Gemini, the Socratic method – teaching by asking probing questions – has become a new standard in education. Instead of providing immediate answers, AI compels students to think, analyze, and discover solutions independently. This is not just a learning method but a pathway to nurture critical thinking, self-learning, and creativity – core competencies in the digital age.

In fact, this approach is not new. Khan Academy and OpenAI have been researching and developing the Socratic approach early on, even before the launch of ChatGPT, and have directly integrated it into Khanmigo – Khan Academy’s AI-powered teaching and learning companion. (Sal Khan shared this in the book “The Brave New Education – How AI Will Revolutionize Education (And Why That’s a Good Thing)” published in Vietnamese in 2024). The recent simultaneous launch of this feature by giants like OpenAI and Google affirms that Khanmigo has been on the right track and continues pioneering AI applications in education.

However, some concerns are raised over the advent of Study Mode (OpenAI) and Guided Learning (Gemini); learners might no longer need Khanmigo. Addressing this, Mr. Do Ngoc Minh, co-founder of Khan Academy Vietnam, asserts: “Khanmigo is not just a Socratic learning mode. It is part of a complete LCMS (Learning Content Management System), including learning content, student progress tracking, and a strong connection between teachers, students, and parents.”

Specifically, for students, Khanmigo knows precisely where they are in their learning journey, identifies areas of difficulty, and poses appropriate guiding questions. Instead of giving immediate answers, AI helps students discover knowledge independently, fostering independence and confidence. Khanmigo integrates 25 support tools for teachers: lesson planning, designing differentiated exercises, and class data analysis. AI helps teachers reduce administrative workload, allowing more time to inspire and connect with students. For parents, Khanmigo ensures transparency: there are no off-the-record conversations between students and AI. All Q&A history is recorded, and parents can monitor it, providing a safe learning environment for their children.

From a global perspective, Emily Goldman, Strategy and International Operations Manager at Khan Academy, emphasizes: “The large-scale implementation of Study Mode and Guided Learning by OpenAI and Google is a positive signal. This opens opportunities for college students and self-learners to benefit from this method, while Khanmigo continues to focus deeply on the K–12 environment.”

Equipping Vietnamese teachers with digital skills

As the Ministry of Education and Training is about to issue the Digital Competency Framework for teachers and educational managers, Khanmigo is a vital tool to help teachers train and enhance their technology skills.

According to Mr. Minh, the most significant opportunity is for Vietnamese teachers to access a modern AI tool designed to fit the school environment. However, the challenge is essential: “If teachers are not familiar with technology and have not been properly trained, AI applications will only remain at the experimental level. Therefore, Khan Academy Vietnam focuses on training, support, and localizing content to ensure teachers confidently use Khanmigo in teaching.”

In fact, since 2023, Khan Academy Vietnam has localized the course “AI in Education”, attracting thousands of teachers to participate. This foundational step ensures that teachers know how to use AI and understand how to effectively and responsibly apply it in the classroom. This coming November, the Vietnamese version of Khanmigo will officially launch and be entirely free for teachers – a significant milestone in the digital transformation journey in education.

According to Ms. Emily Goldman, the key point is that Khanmigo helps teachers become brilliant guides in the classroom: “AI does not replace teachers but provides them with a powerful ally. When teachers master technology, students will have richer, more creative, and personalized learning experiences.”

Mr. Minh also emphasizes the expectation: “Khanmigo will help Vietnamese teachers meet the requirements of the Digital Competency Framework, from designing digital learning materials, managing online classes, to using AI in student assessment. This is the path for true digital transformation in education.”

Khanmigo affirms its pioneering role in applying AI to education and becomes a practical support tool for Vietnamese teachers to develop digital skills and adapt well in the AI era. When teachers are equipped with the right tools, students will benefit from a personalized, modern, and equitable education, aligning with the spirit of digital transformation the education sector aims for.

Source: https://en.baoquocte.vn/khanmigo-and-its-pioneering-role-in-the-ai-education-era-325924.html?