A Simple Tool? A Dishonor? College Students And Educators Consider The Place Of AI In Learning
This article explores the ongoing debate surrounding the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the realm of education, as experienced by students, faculty, and staff at a community college. LAist conducted interviews with various individuals, revealing a wide range of perspectives and experiences. For Tony, a student, the generative AI tool, ChatGPT, proved to be a valuable resource for structuring his English assignment, although it fell short in articulating emotions. In contrast, Eider abstained from utilizing ChatGPT, expressing concerns that it hindered personal ingenuity and independence. Rohan Desai, a counseling department chair, views AI as an aid for first-generation students in navigating the complexities of college and career decisions. However, Michelle Priest, an instructor, highlighted potential issues with AI-generated lab reports and suggested implementing handwritten submissions to prevent plagiarism from AI sources. As AI continues to make its way into educational settings, this article sheds light on both the benefits and drawbacks that students and educators consider when contemplating the place of AI in learning.
AI in Learning
This image is property of scpr.brightspotcdn.com.
Benefits and Concerns
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly transformed various sectors, and education is no exception. The integration of AI in learning offers numerous benefits, enhancing the overall educational experience while also raising concerns. By utilizing AI tools, students can access enhanced learning experiences, improved accessibility, and personalized education. However, ethical considerations, dependence on AI tools, and the standardization and authenticity of work are concerns that need to be addressed.
Benefits of AI in Learning
Enhanced Learning Experiences
AI tools play a crucial role in assisting students with assignments. Platforms like ChatGPT provide assistance in structuring essays, enhancing organization and clarity. LAist interviewed Tony, a student who found ChatGPT helpful in his English assignment, providing a structure for his essay. However, it is worth noting that AI tools may not always excel at understanding complex emotions or providing in-depth explanations.
AI also contributes to immediate feedback in learning. Utilizing algorithms, AI has the capability to provide instant feedback on quizzes, assessments, and homework. This enables students to identify their areas of improvement and make timely adjustments to their learning strategies. Furthermore, AI-powered simulations and virtual reality applications provide immersive and interactive learning experiences, allowing students to engage with educational content in a more dynamic and practical manner.
Improved Accessibility
AI technologies offer substantial benefits in creating inclusive learning environments. For students with disabilities, AI tools can assist in overcoming barriers they may face. By leveraging speech recognition, text-to-speech, and other assistive technologies, AI enables students with visual or hearing impairments to access educational materials more easily. Additionally, language translation and interpretation services provided by AI systems promote inclusivity among diverse student populations. AI helps bridge the language gap, ensuring that students from different linguistic backgrounds can fully participate in educational activities.
Geographical barriers in education can also be addressed through AI. By utilizing remote learning platforms powered by AI, students in remote or underserved areas can access high-quality education without the need to relocate. This reduces the impact of distance and enables students to receive education from renowned institutions and educators, regardless of their physical location.
Personalized Education
AI empowers personalized education by tailoring learning experiences to the needs and preferences of individual students. Adaptive learning platforms, driven by AI algorithms, assess students’ strengths, weaknesses, and learning styles to develop personalized study plans. Students can engage in self-paced learning, receiving targeted resources and content that aligns with their specific requirements. This individualized approach to education enhances student engagement, motivation, and ultimately, academic success.
AI can also recommend tailored content based on students’ interests and goals, further enhancing personalized education. By analyzing students’ past performance, preferences, and aspirations, AI algorithms can suggest relevant materials, articles, books, or online resources. This curated content enables students to delve deeper into subjects of their interest, promoting a love for learning and nurturing their intellectual curiosity.
This image is property of scpr.brightspotcdn.com.
Concerns about AI in Learning
Ethical Considerations
As AI becomes more prevalent in education, ethical considerations arise. Data privacy and security are major concerns, as AI systems gather and analyze significant amounts of personal data. It is imperative to ensure strong data protection measures are in place to safeguard student information from being misused or compromised.
Another ethical concern is the potential bias embedded in AI algorithms. LAist’s interviews revealed the need for caution in relying solely on AI-generated content. AI algorithms may inadvertently perpetuate biases present in the data they are trained on, leading to unequal opportunities or inaccurate information. To mitigate this risk, continuous monitoring, transparency, and diversifying the training datasets are essential.
Ethical challenges in decision-making also emerge when AI is involved. AI tools might be limited in their ability to make subjective judgments or handle complex ethical dilemmas. Educators and policymakers must carefully consider the ethical implications of relying on AI for decision-making processes, ensuring that human judgment and values are always taken into account.
Dependence on AI Tools
While AI tools offer numerous benefits, there is a concern regarding their potential impact on critical thinking and creativity. Relying heavily on AI-generated content may hinder students’ ability to think critically or develop their unique thought processes. LAist’s interview with Eider, a student, revealed his skepticism towards using ChatGPT, as he believes it takes away from personal creativity and independence. Therefore, it is crucial to strike a balance between the use of AI tools and fostering students’ critical thinking skills.
There is also a risk of students becoming over-reliant on AI-generated content, neglecting their own efforts and engagement in the learning process. AI should be seen as a tool to support and enhance learning, rather than a substitute for active participation. Educators should emphasize the value of independent thinking and encourage students to utilize AI tools as aids rather than replacements.
Standardization and Authenticity of Work
AI’s influence raises concerns regarding the standardization and authenticity of students’ work. Copy-pasting from AI-generated content can lead to plagiarism and academic integrity issues. Students must be educated on the importance of creating original work and the consequences of dishonest practices. Institutions should implement policies and procedures to detect and prevent plagiarism effectively.
Ensuring the originality and authenticity of assignments becomes challenging in an AI-driven environment. With the ability to generate human-like text, AI may make it difficult to distinguish between content created by students and AI-generated material. Implementing mechanisms to verify the authorship of assignments becomes crucial to maintain academic integrity.
This image is property of scpr.brightspotcdn.com.
Instructor Perspectives
Michelle Priest’s Concerns about AI-Generated Reports
Instructor Michelle Priest has raised concerns about students relying on AI to generate lab reports not covered in class. LAist’s interviews reveal a potential risk of students submitting work that has been predominantly generated by AI without fully comprehending the underlying concepts. This undermines the purpose of assignments and hampers students’ learning and growth.
Proposal for Handwritten Submissions to Prevent AI Copying
To address the issue raised by Michelle Priest, a proposed solution is to require handwritten submissions for certain assignments. Handwritten work ensures that students have actively engaged with the content, preventing direct copying from AI-generated reports. This measure emphasizes the importance of critical thinking, understanding, and independent work.
Balancing the Use of AI and Promoting Student Engagement
While AI offers valuable tools for enhancing learning experiences, instructors need to strike a balance between utilizing AI and promoting student engagement. Overdependence on AI can diminish students’ active participation and engagement. Instructors should incorporate interactive activities, discussions, and exercises that encourage students to reflect, question, and contribute actively. AI should be seen as a complementary resource that augments and supports the learning process, rather than a replacement for human interaction.
In conclusion, the integration of AI in learning presents immense benefits, including enhanced learning experiences, improved accessibility, and personalized education. However, concerns regarding ethical considerations, dependence on AI tools, and the standardization and authenticity of work must be addressed. By implementing effective measures to address these concerns and striking a balance between AI and human interaction, education can harness the full potential of AI to create a more inclusive, personalized, and engaging learning environment.
This image is property of scpr.brightspotcdn.com.