The Perception of Teachers and Students on the Utilisation of Artificial Intelligence in the Educational System in Mezam Division of Cameroon

Artificial Intelligence is making headlines at conferences and seminars
across various fields and sectors, such as commerce, nutrition,
education, and health. Given the applications of Artificial Intelligence in
the teaching and learning process, there has been debate over whether it
is a valuable technology, considering the ramifications surrounding how
educators perceive and apply it. Today, many priorities for improving
teaching and learning remain unaddressed, leading some educators to
explore technology-enhanced approaches that are safe, effective, and
scalable in meeting these priorities. Naturally, educators are concerned
that rapid technological advances in everyday life could provide solutions.
This study aimed to investigate whether Artificial Intelligence in the
educational system in the Mezam Division poses a threat or offers an
advantage. The research design was descriptive, focusing on the Mezam
Division of the North West Region of Cameroon. The population consisted
of 1,200 English language and Mathematics teachers and 20,000
students from schools in the Mezam Division. A multistage sampling
technique was employed. One school in the urban area, where students
and teachers have access to computers, smartphones, and electricity,
was purposively selected. The findings revealed a significant difference in
how English Language and Mathematics teachers perceive the
application of Artificial Intelligence in teaching and learning. While
Mathematics teachers regarded it as an advantage, English language
teachers considered it a threat. Similarly, a significant difference was also observed in the perceptions of students and teachers regarding the
application of Artificial Intelligence in education. It can be concluded that
the views of teachers and students on the application of Artificial
Intelligence in the educational system in the Mezam Division remain
inconclusive. Substantial sensitisation efforts are therefore necessary to
align these stakeholders with the demands of new technological
advancements. Based on these findings, it is recommended that teachers
and students explore the possibilities presented by Artificial Intelligence
to stay current with modern technologies and benefit from the myriad
opportunities this technology provides.
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Keywords: Artificial Intelligence, Educational System, Mathematics, English language