Created by Chuah Kee Man (Updated 10 August 2025)
An effective teaching assistant (TA) is not just an administrative support; it is a proactive contributor to student learning. Effective TAs:
With AI, your TA is always available, infinitely patient, and unfailingly accurate (though admittedly less likely to share coffee).
| Type | Scope | Where AI Supercharges It |
|---|---|---|
| Real-Time Support | Instant instructional assistance | Instant Q&A, concept clarification, on-demand examples |
| Assessment Automation | Routine grading tasks | Automated grading, plagiarism detection, personalised feedback |
| Personalisation | Tailored learning experiences | Adaptive practice, personalised study recommendations |
| Analytics | Insightful learner data | Real-time learning analytics, progress tracking, proactive interventions |
Graphic by Rawia Inaim /Kwantlen Polytechnic University
In the AI-powered learning environment, the question is no longer ‘Can you remember?’ but ‘What can you create?’ The sequence has changed, the difficulty persists, and the possibilities have multiplied.
AI has effectively flipped Bloom's Taxonomy by enabling learners to engage directly with higher-order cognitive tasks, such as creating, evaluating, and analysing, from the outset. Rather than beginning with memorising facts, students now harness AI tools to access and recall foundational knowledge instantly. This allows them to dedicate their intellectual resources towards innovative problem-solving and critical thinking.
However, this shift does not imply learning has become easier. The cognitive load and complexity have shifted towards tasks requiring sophisticated reasoning, informed judgement, and original creativity. The nature of learning challenges has thus transformed. Not becoming simpler, but distinctly different, which in turn foster deeper and more meaningful learning experiences.
