In today’s day and age, artificial intelligence is only a few clicks away, with a few prompts thrown in and the assignment is done. Tools that can write an essay, explain math, or summarize books are becoming very common and easy ways for students to get their work done. While the tool can be helpful when used in the correct manner, the majority of students are taking out AI and using it before they even attempt the work themselves.
Instead of thinking of a solution themselves or writing a first draft, some students will open ChatGPT and ask it to do it for them instantly. The habit they have created can definitely save time in the moment, but it also means that students lose out in actually learning the topic. Thus, this does not allow those students to actually progress through the class and learn new things that the assignments are trying to provide. Homework, or even classwork, is designed to help students practice thinking, problem solving, and developing independent ideas.
When AI is used as a starting point instead of being used as something that supports and helps when you’re stuck, it can make learning in the short term easier. Although, in the long run, when students rely on technology to do the things for them, they may struggle on things like tests, future classes, or real world problems they run into.
However, you would think that AI itself is the real problem, it is not. Like calculators or search engines, it’s useful when used properly. For example, AI can help explain difficult topics, suggest ways to improve on your writing, or even help a student check their work after they complete the assignment themselves.
As one student put it: “AI should be a tool to check your thinking, not a shortcut to avoid it.”
The struggle students face today is balancing the difference between the convenience and effort of something. AI is powerful, but education isn’t just about getting answers. It’s about learning how to find them yourself and think on your own.
