Should Students Be Allowed To Use AI Tools Like ChatGPT for Homework and Research?
In the last couple of years, AI tools have infiltrated so many aspects of our everyday lives, and education is no exception. More and more, students are turning to AI-powered platforms like ChatGPT to assist with their homework and research. These tools promise to offer quick answers, summarise long articles, and even help generate essays.
With their growing capabilities, it’s no surprise that students are relying on them for their academic tasks. However, while AI tools can be beneficial in some cases, there is growing concern over their impact on student learning and the potential risks they pose when not used appropriately. So, should students be allowed to use them?
What are AI Tools and ChatGPT?
AI tools are advanced software programs that use artificial intelligence to complete tasks that would typically require human intelligence. These tools can do just about anything - from writing to solving mathematical problems, providing explanations, and even conducting research. One of the most well-known AI platforms is ChatGPT, which is designed to respond to user queries, provide detailed explanations, and even assist with generating essays or solving academic problems.
For many students, these tools offer a quick and easy way to find information, complete assignments, and get answers to questions. But the way students use it can have a significant impact on their academic development.
Risk vs. Reward: Using AI In Research and Learning
There’s no denying that AI tools like ChatGPT can be helpful for students when used responsibly. During research or homework, AI can help students sift through large amounts of information quickly, explain complex concepts in simple terms, and even help students find reputable sources for their research. It is great to use as a guide, helping students find the right information and understand the task at hand.
However, there are also some pretty significant risks associated with the unchecked use of AI. There’s a serious concern that overuse of AI can lead to students becoming over-reliant on it, skipping the critical thinking and problem-solving skills necessary for academic success. Rather than learning how to conduct research or critically evaluate sources, they might rely on AI to do the work for them. This can lead to a loss of important skills such as:
Research Skills
Instead of learning how to search for reliable sources, assess their credibility, and extract key information, they might simply ask AI for answers.
Critical Thinking
AI can provide answers or solutions, but it doesn’t encourage students to think critically about the material. It’s easy to use AI-generated responses without questioning their accuracy or relevance.
Problem-Solving Skills
Many students are using AI to generate essays or solve maths problems, bypassing the process of understanding the steps involved in solving a problem or crafting a well-thought-out argument.
There are also concerns about the accuracy of AI-generated content. While platforms like ChatGPT are impressive, they are not always 100% accurate. Information might be outdated, incomplete, or even incorrect, which can mislead students if they don’t cross-check the facts. AI also pulls its information from other sources on the web, meaning the risk of plagiarism also exists.
The Long-Term Impact on Learning
If students don’t develop the right research, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills now, it could really hurt them in the long run. These aren’t just things that help them get good grades; they’re skills they’ll need throughout their lives.
The real world doesn’t hand you answers the way AI tools might. If a student hasn’t learned how to research and critically assess information, they might struggle when faced with more complex issues later on, whether in their schooling, in their job or in everyday life. If students rely too much on AI in school, they could find themselves behind when they’re expected to handle independent research and analysis at a higher level. Understanding what AI tools are and how your kids are using them is important in helping them use these tools appropriately.
The Role of Tutoring in Tech-Driven Education
This is not to say that AI doesn’t have its place in education. But it’s about making sure students are getting the most out of these tools without losing the critical skills they need. Unfortunately, AI is moving at a much faster rate than school policies or teaching methods. Many schools and teachers aren’t sure how they should be monitoring, policing or teaching the use of AI tools. However, more and more schools are using tools like Turn It In to scan student work to identify potential AI involvement.
This is where private tutoring can make a difference, ensuring students are being taught the specific skills they need to use AI effectively, as well as the skills that they’re at risk of missing out on if they rely on AI. Here’s how tutoring can help, especially in a world where technology is moving so quickly:
Personal Connection
Tutors can work directly with students, providing emotional support and motivating them in ways that AI just can’t. A tutor is there to guide them, not just give answers.
Building Critical Thinking
A tutor’s role is to encourage independent thinking, walking students through the process of understanding the material, solving problems, and coming to their own conclusions. It’s about helping them develop the tools they need to tackle challenges on their own.
Accuracy and Expertise
AI might be impressive, but it isn’t always right. A tutor, on the other hand, can check work, provide feedback, fill in the gaps and ensure that students are learning the right information.
Ethical AI Use
A tutor can help students understand when it’s okay to use AI tools as a resource, but also when it’s better to do the work themselves. It’s about balancing the convenience of AI with the value of personal effort.
If your child has relied on AI to complete homework and your concern about how it might affect their performance in assessments, you can also engage in specific tutoring, like tutoring for private school entrance exams or English HSC tutoring.
Setting Students up For Success
Ultimately, AI is going to keep playing a bigger role in education, but we shouldn’t let it take the place of foundational learning. Tutoring can be an incredibly valuable tool on this front, ensuring students don’t just know how to use technology, but they also know how to think critically, solve problems, and approach learning in a meaningful way.
If you're worried about your child relying too heavily on AI for homework or research, or if you just want to make sure they’re building the right skills, Little Geniuses provides customised online tutoring in Australia and can provide the guidance they need to make the most of AI tools while still developing the essential skills that will set them up for success.